Vietnam Travel Study Course Planned for May 2016

Next summer, Westminster students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in Westminster College’s first ever travel study course to the stunning country of Vietnam – scheduled for May 2016 with Dr. Mark Boulton, Assistant Professor of History.

“This is one of those rare opportunities that few other colleges or professions provide,” says Boulton. “So as you are making your college plans for the coming year and beyond, please consider joining us on what promises to be an amazing experience.”

To create the trip, Boulton has been working with a Vietnam veterans organization from California (see some reviews of their work at  http://www.vietnambattlefieldtours.com/).

The course will analyze the causes of the United States’ military intervention in Vietnam and the impact on both American and Vietnamese societies and cultures.  For 15 days, travel ‘in country’ with veterans of the conflict and Vietnamese guides and visit some the key locations of the United States’ most controversial war.

The group will also take time to stop and embrace the people, the culture, and the stunning natural environments of this incredible country.

Planned Stops

The itinerary will include the locations listed below, and more.

• Nha trang Beach
• Downed U.S. aircraft at the Hanoi War Museum (below)

• River cruise on the My Tho River
• The Citadel in the Imperial City of Hue – site of some of the most vicious fighting of the war during the Tet Offensive (below)

• “China Beach,” former site of Da Nang military base
• Viet Cong Tunnels

Academic Credit

Earn 3 Credit hours in History, Security Studies, or Transnational Studies:  The three credit hours are broken down as 2 hours for a mid-semester trailing course in Spring, 2016 and 1 hour for the trip to Vietnam (this is the best way to keep costs down for everyone).  These hours can count for your Gen-Ed Tier III Integrative class or your Upper-Level outside of your division requirement and can be offered as a writing intensive option.

Estimated Cost

Approximately $4000 for the trip (plus the normal cost of the credit hours charged by the college).  This is all-inclusive and will include international flights, visas, travel insurance, accommodation, and food.  **The price is not yet set in stone and is dependent on how many students sign up: The more students who participate, the lower the costs.

Information sessions about the trip will be held this fall. Contact Dr. Mark Boulton at mark.boulton@westminster-mo.edu with questions.