Service Learning Tour to Vietnam
At the start of the summer holiday, from July 20 to 25, a group of students participated in a service trip to Tra Vinh, Vietnam, organized by the Interact Club. It was a life-changing experience that allowed them to serve the local community while reshaping their understanding of the world.
During the trip, organized with assistance from the local NGO Eco Vietnam Group (EVG), the students contributed to various community initiatives. Their work included teaching local children, visiting underprivileged families, and assisting with construction and agricultural tasks.
A key highlight of the trip was installing light posts along a rural road in Tra Vinh. Although the original plan was to build a road, villagers expressed that they needed streetlights more because of safety concerns at night. This experience helped the students realize the importance of addressing a community’s actual needs rather than simply completing pre-assigned tasks. Under the morning sun, they dug pits and mixed cement. The successful installation of the light posts brought a deep sense of accomplishment, further enriched when appreciative villagers offered them fresh coconuts as a token of gratitude.
Another memorable moment took place on the final evening, when EVG hosted a farewell party for the students and university volunteers from Singapore. The university students, local children, and Vietnamese volunteers gathered to sing and dance. Despite language barriers, everyone formed a strong connection through their shared commitment to community development. While the volunteers and students worked on improving the physical environment, local villagers felt inspired to serve their own community more actively. The students inspired the children and shared knowledge, and the children, in turn, reminded the students of the importance of staying genuine and true to themselves.
Every evening after service activities, coaches facilitated the group in an in-depth life debriefing session. Rather than simply reviewing the day's events, these discussions encouraged students to connect their observations to their personal lives. These meaningful reflections helped them recognize things they often overlook, treasure what they have, and explore their broader purpose in life.
The service trip left a lasting impact on all participating students. It broadened their horizons and taught them that service is a reciprocal process of mutual giving and receiving—a fruitful journey proving that anyone can make a meaningful difference in the world.
