Week's Summary

I really had intentioned to write daily, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for how overwhelming the heat would have been this week, how flying to Europe is no preparation for the jet lag you experience in Asia, how I would want to soak in every moment until I was so completely exhausted that typing is torture. So, here is just a brief rundown of things I've seen, much of which I will revisit in my hopefully more frequent posts this week. 

Monday, At Vietnam National University, we discussed the historical and geographical factors that have led to Vietnam's uniquely blended culture. We explored religious expression as one example of that blending.

We also learned about the development of social work as a profession, and the different governmental structure that makes the process of training social workers (from a western point of view) challenging. 

We visited service centers, including a day school for children with autism on Tuesday. Although a hot topic in the states right now, autism is just beginning to be understood in Vietnam, and services are limited. Yet, I was struck by the similarity in educational approaches being practiced here and what I learned in the states as a teacher's aide. 

Wednesday, At the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) we got more information about governmental structure and approach to social problems. 

Thursday, we visited Maihung Day Psychiatric Hospital, a community-based agency that serves individuals with mental illness that does not cause them to be considered a threat to their community. The most common diagnoses they see are schizophrenia, emotional disruption caused by stress, and addiction. Vietnam is in the process of moving toward universal health care, but I found it interesting that for now, psychiatric treatment for people with schizophrenia and epilepsy are covered by the government insurance at 100%. 

Friday, we were honored to meet the premier scholar on gender equality and domestic violence, who shared history of gender role development with us, as well as an innovative service model that was adapted from our idea of shelters (which aren't culturally applicable here). We also visited a short-term shelter for women who have left abusive relationships. 

Saturday we visited Ha Long Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world. 

And today we had a rest day before traveling to the Khuc Thuy pagoda for popsicles and, soon, dinner.