Getting Ready For Vietnam

It's hard to believe that I'm leaving on January 10, 2015, to work at Binh Thuan Community College (BTCC)  in Phan Thiet City, Vietnam.  It started with a decision 'I want to grow' 'I want to try something daring' so I applied for Leave For Change (L4C) and started an unstoppable journey.   L4C is a Uniterra - WUSC & CECI Program.  L4C is a corporate volunteering initiative that enables employees from participating organizations to complete a volunteer assignment in a developing country. Employers invest in the development of their human resources and demonstrate leadership in corporate social responsibility. Employees put their knowledge and skills to work in an international development project, expand their personal and professional horizons and acquire a deeper understanding of broader global issues.

Those at MD who completed the L4C program before me were right, it was so exciting to go through the steps of the application process that even if you were not selected there was always next time and you learned so much through the process that you already felt a little different.  I'm blessed that I was chosen and I want to thank my company MD Financial Management - a top employer!

Fast-forward, it's less than one month from my departure and now it's very real.  I've received my full mandate which will be to help build marketing capacity at the college within the Faculty of Tourism.   You see BTCC is going to open a restaurant and bar as job-training centers and business activity at the college in February. (Similar to what Algonquin College offers in Ottawa).  I will be helping to develop a marketing and promotional strategy for this restaurant and bar; developing a plan for opening ceremonies; and, providing guidelines of how to implement it in the future.  Just a few small things over a 4 week period. 

Stepping back, I think I can do this....I will do this.  I've written marketing plans, actioned them and worked with teams to implement...for sure I have.  BUT, have I had to do this in a language I cannot speak with a translator at my side, in a completely different culture and in a foreign country?  Nope, and this will be the welcomed and interesting new challenge.

Did you know that Vietnam's population is over 90 Million people as compared to Canada's 35 Million?  What's more, it's about a third the size of Ontario (keep in mind Ontario has just over 13 Million people).  I'm told it's like walking downtown on Canada Day everyday that's how I'm visualizing the amount of people!  I'm also told that I will have the biggest hair in the city...apparently the humidity is wicked!  I must remember to pack my hair tamer!

I've got my shots (Hep A & B, Tetanus and I opted for Rabies just to be safe).  I've been given my food and water precautions....however, I'm told that Vietnam has some of the most wonderful food in the world.  The city I will be in exports 'Fish Sauce' to the rest of the world so I'm sure the seafood is excellent.

Someone once said to me 'You don't have to leave to change' and they are right but what fun is there in that!  Stay tuned and I hope you follow my journey, I promise not to make my future posts so dry.

Xin chào (Goodbye in Vietnamese).