Vietnam & cambodia 2024
Application
Dates: December 31st 2023 – January 12th, 2024
Destination: Vietnam and Cambodia
Contact:
- University related questions:
Dr. Nevin Aiken (naiken@uwyo.edu)
- Travel related questions:
Dr. Kevin Pham (pham.kevin101@gmail.com)
Cost per participant: Early bird rate if you apply before October 17th for $3300 and then $3450 afterwards.
Program Overview
The Center for International Experiential Learning (CIEL) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring creative and critical thinking by utilizing the unique power of experiential learning and international travel in conflict-affected regions. As a premier study abroad provider for university partners, CIEL brings over 14 years of experience having safely guiding immersive educational travel for 700+ participants to conflict & post-conflict environments around the world.
Participants in the CIEL Vietnam and Cambodia Program will first engage in an intensive asynchronous online preparatory course (Fall 2023) to provide them with a comprehensive background to the region and the key historical and contemporary issues. Following this pre-travel education, participants from the University of Wyoming and other US universities will travel to Vietnam and Cambodia, delving into the history and legacy of the Vietnam War and how it has shaped US-Vietnam relations, focusing on the question of how U.S. visitors are so welcome again into the country.
This experiential learning program will take students through vibrant cityscapes and tranquil rural terrains, from the historic downtown of Hanoi to the temples of Angkor and the metropolitan areas of Phnom Penh and Saigon. They will engage with historians, local leaders, NGOs, and academic experts, as well as individuals directly impacted by past and current conflicts. Some of the issues that their travel and pre-trip education will explore include responses to and effects of colonialism in the region and ongoing regional relations. Together, they will explore the diverse narratives and personal stories that illuminate regional identity, history, ongoing reconciliation processes, and the impact of post-traumatic stress on internal and external relations in these dynamically evolving nations.
Cost per participant: Early bird rate till October 17th for $3300 and then $3600 afterwards. Program fee is paid directly to CIEL and includes all in-country transportation/flights between cities, accommodations, meals, all program related excursions and entry fees. Does not include flights to/from region, UW tuition/fees, $325 study abroad fee.
With extensive Study-Abroad Scholarship Opportunities available through the University of Wyoming program cost can often be substantially reduced as students find additional sources to lower their travel costs.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and given priority in the order they are received. (Deadline: Oct 31, 2023)
the ciel experience
The CIEL VC travel program will consist of an intensive schedule characterized by early morning start times and late evening end times following daily group reflections. Students will be brought outside their existing comfort zones to be challenged and engaged on a daily basis not only intellectually, but also physically, socially, emotionally and sensorially as part of their experiential learning experience. At the same time, selected student participants will be empowered to take an active role in their own education by taking on accountable leadership roles and being involved as collaborative decision makers and co-teachers alongside their fellow learners.
In addition, there will be numerous high-level meetings with officials and other important actors in the region. Accordingly, CIEL expects all student participants selected for this program to be prepared to conduct themselves in a professional and diplomatic manner throughout the travel program and to take on the role of Student Diplomats representing CIEL, their university and their respective country. Further, to engage as effective participants, student applicants must demonstrate excellent critical thinking and communication skills as well as displaying a commitment to engaging as active participants in both the pre-travel education and travel-based experiential learning components of the CIEL VC program.
This travel experience will be very rewarding for those selected and often becomes a transformative touchstone for students’ personal, academic and professional development. Indeed, as a result of engaging in this kind of deep experiential learning, participants will be empowered with new knowledge and new transferable skill sets that they can carry forward into future leadership roles in their own career development and civic engagement.
How to apply
All interested US university students are encouraged to apply for the CIEL VC program. Following receipt of your application materials (detailed below), you will be contacted for an interview by CIEL. Following this interview, if you are selected to join the CIEL Vietnam Cambodia program for Winter 2024 you will then be given permission to register online via the Cowboys Abroad Portal through UW’s Education Abroad Office.
Following your completed applications through CIEL and the UW Education Abroad Office, there will be a the a $1000 down-payment (deposit) required from selected participants (to be paid to CIEL via WeTravel Platform linked below) within four weeks of acceptance as a demonstration of their commitment to participating in the program as accommodation, travel and other costs must be booked far in advance. 90 days prior to program start date, participants are required to submit travel arrangements (through the CIEL WeTravel Platform). The non-refundable deposit is applied to the overall program costs. They will only be refunded in the case that CIEL is forced to cancel the program.
1: application
Reminder: The final deadline is September 31st, 2023 but applications are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis so early applications are strongly encouraged to secure a spot.
Your application will include the following:
Concise and thoughtful responses to five short questions regarding your desire and preparedness to participate on the CIEL VC Program (you will find the questions by clicking on the “start application” button)
An unofficial academic transcript
A Brief Curriculum Vitae or Resume (including extracurricular activities)
Register online via the Cowboys Abroad Portal through UW’s Education Abroad Office
All 4 steps need to be completed for your application. Please answer the questions and upload your transcript as well as your CV by clicking here or the button to the right.
Optional: One Academic Letter of Recommendation (from an Instructor, Professor, TA) speaking to your academic potential, critical thinking and communication skills, and assessment of your ability to serve as an effective student leader and diplomat. Either upload the letter yourself in the application survey that also includes your essay questions or have your recommender submit your letter directly to CIEL at application@cielglobal.org.
due 09/31/2023
Once you have been accepted to the program, please follow the steps outlined in your acceptance email.