INNOVATE: Global Issues in Engineering and Business: Vietnam

 

INNOVATE is a 3-credit course that takes place during the entire spring semester, and program travel happens during Spring Break. This year, students will go to Vietnam! Students participating in the program will travel to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from March 9-16, 2024. Students will attend multiple professional site visits with both local and international companies, partake in cultural tours, and engage with local Vietnamese students.
 
This program is open to both engineering and business undergraduate and graduate students. Class will take place on Tuesday nights during the spring term.
 
In the spirit of international collaboration, the program is designed to promote interaction among students of various cultures and backgrounds. INNOVATE prepares tomorrow's leaders to grapple with the issues of technology and globalization, not just in the abstract, but also through direct experience. Outside of the formal framework of the program, the conversations that occur during dinner and sightseeing excursions will give students the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned and to challenge their thinking about their own culture. 
 
 
You are required to attend a spring break program agreement meeting on Tuesday November 14th from 4pm-5:30pm in Benedum 102. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
 
 
What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • An understanding of business and engineering innovation in Vietnam
  • The ability to adapt and thrive while traveling through Vietnam
  • A deeper understanding of the role that history and culture play in the development of a technology and business

In the past- INNOVATE students visited Beijing, Suzhou and Shanghai in China. This year, students will travel to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam! 

 

Where You'll Live: 

Lodging in 3-4 star hotels with doubles/triples with a shared en-suite bathroom for the duration of the trip is included. Students may have different room styles based on the hotel location, and should anticipate having a minimum of one roommate for the duration of the program. 

 

What You'll Study: 

This is a 3-credit course that takes place over the spring semester. Student may also elect to take the course as a writing intensive (W-requirement) if they choose. 

Engineering students can view how these courses will fulfill degree requirements here.
 

Business Students:

  • 1 of 2 foreign culture requirements waived
  • Counts as a Supply Chain major elective

  • For business students who are not Supply Chain majors, it counts as 3-credits of business elective toward the 120 required for the BSBA

 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Dr. Rajgopal

Dr. Rajgopal is a professor of Industrial Engineering and has been on the faculty at Pitt since 1986. He also serves as the graduate program director for the Industrial Engineering department. He is an advocate for study abroad and has led a number of study abroad programs. 

Lauren Smith-Lemesh M.Ed.

Om Swastiastu Pitt! My name is Lauren, and I am one of the Global Programs Managers in the Swanson School of Engineering. I studied abroad in Indonesia during undergraduate, and worked as a peer study abroad advisor once I returned. After my study abroad trip, I knew that I wanted to support students to have life-changing experiences abroad too. Let's talk about your interests and find a program that will help you achieve your goals! 

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Pitt Global as the Care Unit.
  • Select 152 Benedum as the Location
  • Select ENGR Global  as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Program Fee (see the "What's included" section) $4,300 $4,500
     
Total Billed by Pitt $4,300 $4,500

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Meals and Personal Expenses $300 - 500
Visa for Vietnam $25 - $135
If you are not a U.S. Citizen and require to travel for a visa application (Depends on if you have to travel to apply for the visa) Dependent on travel costs required
Airfare to Vietnam $1,900 - $2,700

Total Estimated Program Cost

  In-State Out-of-State

Total Estimated Cost of Program
(Includes items billed by Pitt and additional expenses, does not include visa application costs if you are not a U.S. citizen)

$6,525 $6,725
 
 
What's Included: 

As a part of the program costs, the following is included in the program:

  • Tuition for 3 Pitt credits
  • All Accommodations
  • Airport transfers (in-country) and all ground transportation
  • International health and accident insurance
  • Some meals
  • Admission and participation to all events and excursions

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our budgeting page for more information. 
For global scholarship opportunities, check out:

  • The Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
  • PittFund$Me  for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
  • PittFund$Me  for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships

 
 

When You'll Go: 

 

In Vietnam: March 9th-16th, 2024

What Else You Need to Know: 

Application requirements: 

  • Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors in engineering and business schools are eligible to apply
  • Must have applied for a passport or already hold a passport by the application deadline. Need to apply? See instructions here. 
  • Must at least be in your second year (24 credits completed) at the University of Pittsburgh
  • 2.75 GPA

 
Past INNOVATE students want you to know…
"The friends I have made during this trip have that spark of adventure inside of them, and it was a pleasure to enjoy this experience with them." 
-Andrew Welby (Check out his blog!)
 "Leaving China definitely made me feel depressed.  Even though I was only there for a short time, I knew I was not close to being ready to leave.  I learned so much about the country in such a short amount of time and honestly was able to have the time of my life. "
- Sean Kurtz
"The trip is coming to an end—we just had the closing dinner.  The Pitt graduate that spoke made me want to move here because of how easily she adjusted.  The trip flew by, and the slideshow of pictures made me realize how many places we all saw in such a small amount of time.  I also realized how close everyone got."
- Victoria Portier (Check out her blog!)