I was honored to take part in the Ho Chi Minh Job Training Program which was organized by Chonnam National University (CNU) from February 20 to February 23 in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Through this trip, I acquired many useful things not only from Korean employers but also from another alumnus of the university in Vietnam. By the way, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the CNU Alumni Committee for organizing this meaningful and practical program. I also would like to express my deep gratitude to the Office of International Affairs which supported us a lot on this trip.
    To begin with, the most important thing I have obtained from this program was the opportunity to visit and perform with Korean corporations and companies operating in Vietnam, including Samsung Electronics, Woori Bank, Kumho Tire, Hana Tour and Posco Daewoo. These are all companies that have affirmed their position in the Vietnamese market and are the dream workplace of many Vietnamese graduate students. Here, we were introduced to the history, business areas, production situation as well as the development and direction of the companies in the future. In addition, we had directly discussed with these companies about recruitment needs, requirements for candidates as well as support policies when becoming official workers.
    Secondly, I also learned a lot of fascinating and valuable information from the CNU Alumni Organization in Vietnam. The experience of preparing resumes, experiences when participating in an interview, and work experience in Korean companies were conveyed to us. We were also introduced to the opportunities and challenges of starting a business in the context of the technology revolution 4.0 in Vietnam. The program is truly a bridge to connect those who have been and those who are CNU students.
    Furthermore, through this trip, I was acquainted with new friends who are studying and living at CNU. Although it was just for a short time living and working together, we were like a family of siblings. We worked together, ate together, played together and helped each other.
    Finally, this trip remained an opportunity for me to explore Saigon’s culture. Born and raised in the Northern part of Vietnam, this is the first time I had ever gone to Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the city's famous attractions like the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace and Saigon Post Office, as well as enjoying the notable dishes there.
    I hope there will be more activities like this in the future so that students studying at CNU have the opportunity to interact with Korean companies and CNU alumnus in Vietnam.

By Bui Dinh Canh, Master’s Student, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering