Newsletter 19: Friendship & Matters of the Heart
1 October, 2024
TL;DR
Sam’s Musings on Friendships: Reflections on a recent trip to Manila and the role of education in fostering genuine friendships.
UWC Short Course Video: Watch our 2024 recap video to see highlights of the UWC Short Course: Doing Good!
We’re Hiring! Co-Manager of UWC Short Course: Doing Good: Join us in shaping the next iteration of the UWC Short Course: Doing Good! We’re looking for a Co-Manager to co-lead the program next summer.
UWC Day: Recap of our celebration in Vietnam.
Spread the Word: Help us grow! Share our newsletter with three people who would love to support our mission. Follow us on social media, donate, or volunteer your talents.
The Heart of Friendship: Lessons Beyond the Classroom
This past month, I found myself reflecting deeply on the nature of friendship. It began during a trip to Manila for a close friend’s 30th birthday—a celebration, yes, but more than that, an opportunity for our group to reconnect on a deeper level, beyond catch-ups and small talk. This is something that often feels out of reach in the hustle and bustle of a place like Ho Chi Minh City.
To foster this connection, we created an event we called a "mini human library," inspired by the Danish Human Library project, which encourages people to share personal stories as if they were books being "checked out" by readers.
The impact was profound. Imagine asking a friend to tell a story from their life, something specific and significant, and watching as they breathe life into their memories. Looking at the 17 titles we crafted, I felt more connected to these friends than ever before. Since then, our bonds—both as a group and as individuals—have grown richer and more honest.
Simon Sinek, in his recent YouTube conversation about friendship with Trevor Noah, said, "We build trust by asking for help, not offering it." I personally know this to be true, having learned it firsthand when I sought help while grappling with my own struggles with my faith, sexuality, and culture in my younger years. But I’ve noticed many of my friends, particularly the men in my life, often miss this crucial point. That’s why this gathering, this intentional space, was so precious to me—it allowed us to truly open up, to have the kind of heart-to-heart conversations that rarely happen in the usual rush of daily life.
It left me wondering: why aren't we teaching matters of friendship in schools? Why are friendships so often sidelined by work or study, even though it's our friends, not our careers, who stand by us in times of hardship? These are the types of topics I hope Education for Good can tackle: education that not only focuses on the mind but also the heart and the whole person. Because educating the brain alone just isn’t enough anymore.
Please watch our recap video from Doing Good!
Last month, we shared our Impact Report from the UWC Short Course: Doing Good, and now we're excited to bring you the 2024 recap video! 🎥
Watch the video to see the program's key goals and mission in action, hear reflections from students about their personal growth, and witness some amazing moments of friendship and collaboration.
We’re so grateful to everyone who made this year possible! Please help us spread the word and grow our impact—follow us on social media!
We are hiring!
We are looking for a Co-Manager to help direct the second iteration of UWC Short Course: Doing Good. Please find the Job Description for the Co-Manager position here and reach out to either Sam Jeong, Director (sam.jeong@uwc.vn), or Quang Le, Co-Manager of UWC Short Course: Doing Good (quang.le@uwc.vn) if you have any further questions.
UWC Day!
On 21 September, we joined the UWC community worldwide in celebrating both the International Day of Peace and "UWC Day." Across many UWC campuses and national committees, this day is marked by cultural celebrations and community service projects. Here in Vietnam, we also took part in the festivities!
The day began with a lively brunch in District 1, where we reconnected over delicious food before transitioning to an exciting online discussion and alumni engagement event for the UWC-Inspired Vietnam Campus Project in the evening.
This event was particularly special for me, as it was the first time I had the opportunity to formally present the project to a group of UWC Vietnam alumni. What made the conversation so enriching was not just the chance to update everyone on the project’s progress, but the collaborative brainstorming that followed. We dove deep into discussions about what the project needs to thrive and how the alumni community could offer their expertise and support. It was clear that our shared passion for the UWC movement could serve as a powerful catalyst in imagining the project’s future together, solidifying our vision as true partners moving forward.
The enthusiasm from the alumni during this talk reinforced the importance of our collective effort. It demonstrated that this project is, indeed, a village effort, with each member of the UWC Vietnam family contributing their unique insights and resources to build something transformative for Vietnam and beyond.
Please help us spread the word
Please forward on our newsletter to three people in your life who you know will be interested in what we have been working on.
Looking for more ways to support us? Please consider making a donation, volunteering your skills, or hosting a fundraising event. Thank you for your time, treasure, and talent!
Warmly,
UWC-Inspired Vietnam Campus Project