Donald Kopka, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Management Dept. Towson University

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Donald Kopka, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorManagement
Dept.Towson University

• "Fulbright Scholar in Vietnam  An Ongoing
  Sabbatical"

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Presentation Topics

• Fulbright Mission and Process
• Connection to previous Peace Corps Background
• Teaching and Research
• Social Interactions
• Continuing Work

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Fulbright Mission

• To increase mutual understanding between the
  people of the United States and the people of
  other countries by means of educational and
  cultural exchange.
• Senator J. William Fulbright

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Fulbright Application Process

• Senior Scholar Deadline August 1, 2002
• Elements of Application
• Country choice and anticipate benefits
• Academic background
• Teaching expectations and style
• Experience demonstrating collegiality,
  adaptability, cultural sensitivity
• Notification of approval May 2003
• Performed Fulbright assignment in Spring 2004
  semester
• Website http//www.cies.org/

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Vietnam
Why?
A COUNTRYNOT A WAR.
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Peace Corps Redux

• Professional Academic Work
• Social Interactions,
• OR
• Its not all about the work!!!

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SABBATICAL FULBRIGHTINTENTIONS

• Teach entrepreneurship and business strategy in
  Vietnam
• Begin research on entrepreneurship and economic
  development in Vietnam
• Assist with curriculum development
• Facilitate student exchanges
• Bring into teaching at Towson
• Baltimore-area contacts for business in Vietnam

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University of Da NangCollege of
EconomicsDepartment of Business Administration

• Six colleges spread throughout Da Nang
• Fairly progressive
• 8000 Undergraduates in College
• Class sizes 55 or more students
• Students take 6 to 8 courses per semester, more
  than 200 credits to graduate
• Varying semester start dates
• Off-campus, distance education complicates
  teaching
• Heavy focus on translating English language
  materials

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Teaching Experiences

• Two Ur Four Courses
• Business Strategy
• Entrepreneurship
• English for Faculty
• English Club for Students
• Flexibility Warning Very Apt
• Little contact before left U.S.
• End of classes kept changing
• Added meeting sessions
• Excellent Experience and Working Relationships

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Classroom Experience

• First foreign teacher in college and department
• Two four hour classes per week
• Sixty students per class
• Other teachers often attended
• Translator in each class
• English delivery and Vietnamese translation time
  consuming, reduced planned course content and
  activities

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College Student Life

• Entry based on national exam top 2 accepted to
  college
• No electives
• Classroom culture
• Rent room for 8.00 per month
• Share room with 8 other students
• No money at end of month
• Noodles a diet staple
• Universal for women?
• SHOPPING

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Other Academic Contributions

• Textbooks
• Consultations on curriculum
• Hue presentation

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Entrepreneurship Business Plan Presentation
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Uncle Ho Shrine
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Marx-Lenin Olympics
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Research

• Symposium Paper on Human Resource Skills for
  Market Economy
• Supporting Industries paper in March 2004
• Collaborative research with Nhung Nguyen on
  Vietnamese entrepreneursSustainability
  Conference in Hanoi January 2006
• In development
• Learning from Fulbright Scholar
• Changes in State-Owned Enterprises

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Social Interactions

• International Womens Day
• Creative Youth Festival
• Di nhautalking and drinking beer
• After one month, it is time for you to have
  girlfriend
• Humor important!! Teasing and boisterous
• Important to be open and ready to spend time with
  colleagues, students, others

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Libations
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Globalization IS REAL!!
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Marriage and Family
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Groom Minh and Bride Huong
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Rural Life A Different Country
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Khe Sanh
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Rememberance
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Continuing Work

• Bachelors Program for Vietnamese Students
• Cohort-sandwich program
• 3 semesters University of Danang
• 4 semesters at Towson
• 1 semester at University of Danang
• Getting visas critical issue
• Potential program revenues of 180,000 to
  300,000 per year
• 20 students began February 13

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MOU Signing
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Program Recruitment
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Fulfilling an Ambition
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(No Transcript)
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Government

• One Party State Communism
• Party presence at many levels
• Market Economy Under Socialist Orientation
• Open Trade
• Stability
• People Know What to Say

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Living Arrangements

• Very comfortable house (non-use created problems)
  not Peace Corps arranged by colleagues
• Near beach
• Purchased motorbike
• Never received home telephone bill
• Mobile phone necessary
• Internet access from home
• Many cafes and beach restaurants

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Recommendations _ Fulbright Program

• Specifically identify college department of
  Fulbright Scholar
• Inform, follow-up to ensure communication between
  host institution and Fulbright Scholar
• Clearly identify courses to be taught
• Determine schedule for teaching, starting and
  ending dates for semester, number of weeks
• Ensure presence of translators
• Provide references on Vietnamese culture
• Information on record keeping of expenses for tax
  purposes

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Academic Recommendations for Fulbright Scholars

• Get in early contact with host institution
• Arrange two people as contact persons in
  department
• Identify specific courses to be taught
• Ensure translation assistance
• Select simple textbook for translation
• Be selective and dont be excessive in course
  content
• Plan for 12 week semester
• Work with colleagues on slide design prevent
  PowerPoint abuse
• Try to assist with English language development
• Adapt to necessary changes - be flexible

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Personal Recommendations for Fulbright Scholars

• Consult with host department on housing
  arrangements and identify person who can assist
  with housing problems
• Socialize with colleagues Its not just about
  the work build social and professional and
  US-Vietnamese relationships
• Have a sense of humor emulate Vietnamese
• Have fun!!

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Reflections - Guidance

• Previous experience shaped my approaches
• Developed familiarity beforehand
• Avoid being judgmental
• Be curious and open
• United States beacon for the world
• It is harder to be a good guest than to be a good
  host
• Warning others may not be interested in your
  foreign experiences
• For more http//www.towson.edu/kopka/vietnam_fulb
  right_experience.htm