The ILR International Programs Office and the Scheinman Institute are offering a winter break Engaged Learning (EL) opportunity in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. The focus of the program will be in the area of labor relations and conflict resolution and will be overseen by Richard Fincher (ILR’73), the Executive Director of the Asia Labor Arbitration Project (ALAP) in the Scheinman Institute and Art Wheaton, of the Scheinman Institute, The Worker Institute at Cornell and the Cornell in Buffalo Office. Students will learn about labor relations and dispute resolution with peers from Ton Duc Thang University (see website for English video: http://english.tdt.edu.vn/).
To learn more about recent trip experiences see the Vietnam blog.
A sample of potential research projects includes:
- Labor Implications of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
- Human resources strategy at foreign investment enterprises
- Dispute resolution in Vietnam
- Wildcat strikes in the global supply chain
- State-controlled trade union (VGCL)
- Minimum wage policy (MWP) in a developing country
- Monitoring the Codes of Social Responsibility
- Role of the International Labor organization (ILO) in Southeast Asia
In addition, ILR students will collaborate with TDTU students in arbitration/mediation simulations. The TDTU students will speak English.
Pre-departure seminar and Post-experience Directed Study (this information will be updated soon- see below what was offered in previous years)
Fall 2019
Students are REQUIRED to take part in 5-6 pre-departure meetings, beginning in late October (the meetings will be planned around students’ schedules). The meetings will cover a mix of topics to prepare students academically, personally and culturally for their in-country experience including a guest speaker on conflict resolution in SE Asia, travel logistics, risk management, health & safety, and an introduction to Vietnamese culture and language.
Spring 2020
Students selected to the program will be enrolled in a 1 or 2 credit directed study project, co-supervised by an ILR faculty member and Richard Fincher. Students will be required to submit a final academic reflection based their in-country experience and research focus (will determined based on students’ interests).
Details about the Vietnam GSL Program
- Six to eight ILR students will be selected for the winter break program. In addition to the students, there will be 2 ILR program assistants.
- Travel would occur from January 3-17, 2020 (approximate, the exact dates will be confirmed). Students are expected to be in-country for the entire duration of the program (no exceptions).
THIS IS NOT A VACATION OR TOURISM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE REQUIRING EFFORT AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE!
Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.0 at the time of departure. Good standing with the ILR School and the University (no pending Judicial Administrative violations). You must be enrolled in ILR School for spring 2020 to be eligible. Freshmen are not eligible for this program.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will demonstrate cross-cultural skills, flexibility, adaptability and maturity. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in conflict resolution/negotiations though coursework, research, or an internship and should exhibit excellent written and oral communication skill, a service orientation, and have experience working on a team. Completion of Labor Relations ILRLR 2050 (formerly Collective Bargaining) and/or interest in Southeast Asia is preferred.
Apply here. The interviews will be ongoing until the positions are filled. The application deadline (TBD)
Note that international exchange students are not eligible for this program.
Expenses: Approximate costs for the 14-day program.
- Airfare: Students will apply for the Cornell Off-Campus Opportunity Fund (OCOF). Guidelines for the OCOF grant will be provided after students are admitted into the program.
- Housing and food: Students will receive an ILR grant to cover the cost.
- Cornell travel nurse/medical for vaccinations: $150, depending on student's vaccination history (or a visit with a personal physician)
- Vietnam visa: $100 (single entry)
- Incidentals: $300 (estimated depending on personal spending habits)
- UHC (emergency evacuation insurance): Free for Cornell students
Funding: Program costs including housing, meals, program-related transportation, excursions in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the Mekong Delta, and the Chu Chi Tunnels will be covered by the ILR School through a special grant.
Students will be required to pay for all personal-related spending in Vietnam (souvenirs, post-program travel, etc.), passport costs, immunizations, and health insurance coverage while in Vietnam (most health insurance policies already cover international healthcare costs).
Housing: Students will stay in the student dormitory on the TDTU campus and will have access to the cafeterias and athletic facilities.
Please do not let cost prevent you from applying!
VIETNAM IS AN EMERGING ECONOMY AND COUNTRY; IT IS CULTURALLY DIFFERENT IN BEHAVIOR, FOOD AND ATTIRE THAN THE UNITED STATES. TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU MUST ACCEPT AND RESPECT DIFFERENCES!
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOT A FIT FOR EVERYONE.