My name is Olumide Samuel Olowe, a Nigerian. I was part of the second cohort of International Masters’ program Marine Ecosystem Management and Climate Change.
Nha Trang University gave me an opportunity to study abroad, but I learnt more than studying; the exposure, networks and cultural integration made it worth the while, and I would say I improved in both learning and character. In Nigeria, Universities are usually like small cities with large land area, buildings and road networks. I was amazed at the size of Nha Trang University and even compared it with the size of my high school, but this size does not matter because the university is ‘big’ in terms of academic quality and excellence. The small nature of the University made it easier for international students to be known, therefore I was able to learn more about the culture through regular conversations with students. Although the language of instruction for most students at the University is Vietnamese, however, international students were able to participate in social activities and were even given the chance to perform at such events. The staffs and students are always eager and ready to accommodate international student’s thoughts in a formal and informal settings without prejudice.
Being an international friendly school, we were always invited to the Nha Trang City events, where we get to showcase our culture and also learn from the Vietnamese culture. This was really amazing because we get to celebrate most events such as western New Year and Vietnamese New Year with important people in the city. The international office and school staffs are also fantastic in terms of student welfares; when I had an accident, the staffs aided me at the hospital and also organized a different exam for me when I missed the main exam. The staffs also donated their time and money for my friend who had a surgery. I also gained hands on experience through invitations to partake in various volunteer activities such as environmental cleanup and teaching, this really shaped my thinking and honed my confidence, especially in teaching.
I will always miss the various academics and non-academic field trips, which were practical exposure to the things we learn in class and also an eye opener to the culture of Vietnamese people.
Here is a picture of me studying and having fun with my fellow students from Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Olumide Samuel Olowe - Cựu học viên Chương trình Thạc sĩ Quản lý Hệ sinh thái Biển và Biến đổi khí hậu (Norhed), khóa 2