Newsletter 26: What Vietnam Taught Me About Peace
1 May, 2025
Dear Friends,
Yesterday marked 50 years since the war in Vietnam came to an end. From parades and day-long events to 15 minutes of nonstop fireworks and a spectacular drone show, it was a night to remember.
I know this anniversary holds different meanings for different people—especially for those whose families were scattered by war. But standing here as a guest in Vietnam, what I felt most was awe: at the energy, the resilience, and the enduring spirit of a country that’s chosen to move forward, even while carrying the weight of history.
As a Korean American living in Vietnam for the past five years, I’ve found myself reflecting on what it means to witness this anniversary from a still-divided homeland. Korea’s war never formally ended. We live with its remnants daily: in our politics, in our families, in our collective psyche.
And yet here in Vietnam, I see a country that, however imperfectly, has managed to move forward. What’s most humbling isn’t just Vietnam’s reunification itself, but the grace with which Vietnam has forged ties with its former foes. The willingness to forgive, or at least not dwell. To look forward. To partner with nations that once rained bombs on its soil. That kind of resilience isn’t passive—it’s powerful.
In Korea, remembrance often feels like an obligation. Here, it feels more like a choice. And that difference, while complex, says something profound about how a country writes its future.
I’ve come to love Vietnam. It’s a place that’s taught me to hold contradictions lightly, to find strength in softness, and to dream anyway. It’s here that I started Education for Good, a nonprofit imagining a UWC-inspired campus in a country where, fifty years ago, that would’ve been unthinkable.
UWC was born out of the Cold War. Vietnam emerged from its own. And yet somehow, in this unlikely meeting point of histories, I’ve come to deeply believe that peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of vision.
Thank you, Vietnam. You are astonishing.
🚪 Applications Are Still Open for our two UWC Short Courses!
Our summer short courses are still accepting applications! The final deadline is 7 May. If you know a young person ready to explore purpose, leadership, and sustainability, please send them our way.
🌱 The Good Futures Fund — What You've Made Possible (So Far)
Last month, we launched the Good Futures Fund with a simple belief: that no young person should be priced out of purpose. Since then, we’ve been deeply moved by the support that’s come in—from former students, parents, educators, and quiet champions who believe in what we’re building.
Already, your generosity is helping us offer need-based financial aid to students across Vietnam and beyond. Many of them wouldn’t have had the chance to join our UWC short courses without this support.
Each gift—whether 10 or 1000 dollars—says the same thing: You belong here.
And while we’re off to a strong start, we’re not done yet. As applications continue to roll in, so do requests for financial aid. We still need your help to close the gap for several incredible students waiting to hear if they’ll be able to join us this summer.
👉 Donate to the Good Futures Fund
Thank you for being part of this growing circle of care.
🌍 Be The Change with Orenda Learning! ✨
We’re excited to share the work of our friends at Orenda Learning. Their program Be the Change is an impactful initiative dedicated to educating and empowering global citizens. 💪🌱
🔎 What to expect
Be The Change is a hybrid program that teaches young people the knowledge, skills, qualities and agency to affect positive transformation in our rapidly changing world. Developed by a former UWCSEA teacher and alumnae, Be The Change is inspired by the UWC movement. It’s a flexible program including theory and practical application, that fits in with school programs and supports students to feel connected to their communities and empowered as changemakers. Be The Change has been used by students and teachers worldwide since 2020, with BTC v3.0 recently launched!
👥 Who are eligible?
The program is for 14 - 18 year olds.
📍 How to join
Be The Change is available to schools anywhere in the world, it is hosted online and its delivery ranges from completely online to hybrid, depending on school needs.
✉️ Know a school or student who would love this opportunity? Connect with Alice Whitehead, CEO and Founder, at alice.whitehead@orendalearning.com.
Learn more at: www.orendalearning.com
💛 Join Us in Making a Difference
These aren’t just programs. They’re invitations—to grow, to connect, to imagine a better world together.
Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or dreamer: join us. Share our story. Forward this newsletter. Or consider supporting a student through the Good Futures Fund.
So much is blooming right now. Thank you for being part of it. Thank you for building with us.
With gratitude,
The Education for Good Team