June booklet by Tuongvan Le

Dear future IM Venturers,

Introduction to IM Venture Congratulations on your acceptance to IM Venture Class of 2015 || June Program! IM Venture is a travel project that aims to bring together Vietnamese youths living in Vietnam and those studying in foreign countries. IM Venture will take a group of 20 students from these two backgrounds on a 10-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam to the capital Hanoi in the North. Throughout the trip, we will hold group activities, forum discussions, and fireside chats to facilitate an ongoing conversation among the group members. The two groups of participants will discover and re-discover their identity as Vietnamese, explore the hidden charms of their native country and thereby develop an appreciation for their root. This happens as the two groups learn about and understand each other’s life stories. Participants from Vietnam who wish to pursue an education abroad will find in IM Venture valuable mentors, friends, and advisors.

Table of Contents

Introduction to IM Venture Welcome Letter IM Venture Class of 2015 Statistics Trip Itinerary June 2015 Trip Leaders June 2015 Participants Contact Directory Tentative Activities Packing List Deposit Information Personal Expenses Sponsors Special Thanks

Our mission - Strengthen Vietnamese identity through travelling for Vietnamese youths all over the world - Encourage personal development, self-reflection, and professional enrichment through workshops, coffee chats, and group activities - Build global connections and network for Vietnamese youths to serve as mentors, advisors, and life-long friends for each other Our values - Integrity, honesty, and respect for peers - Intellectual curiosity and willingness to share among trip participants - Love and care for one another as a family member, a sibling, and above all, a life-long friend Our theme song - Việt Nam Ơi, by Minh Beta - Please visit mp3.zing.vn or Youtube.com to learn more about this song Our Oath - “I pledge allegiance to the Family of IM Venture, and to everyone on my trip for which I travel with, one family, under Big Papa Shi, indivisible, with respect and love for all.” --------------------------------------------------For more information about IM Venture, visit tinyurl.com/IMVenture To contact IM Venture, please email contact.imventure@gmail.com

One year ago, IM Venture was born. Today, looking at the excitement and energies that IM Venture has generated among Vietnamese youths, I can’t hide my enthusiasm and joy to see how much progress we have made in the past one year. An idea about IM Venture emerged a year ago in its simplest form and yet today it has grown so much bigger and more ambitious, thanks to the incredible people that have been involved in building this project, from the incredible advisers (Minh Trinh, Harvard University ’15; Hien Dao ,CEO of Golden Path Academics (GPA); chi Mai Anh, staff at GPA; anh Hieu, Business Development Manager at Everest Education), to the support of sponsoring companies (Oriental Sky Travel, Golden Path Academics, Everest Education), to the contribution of over 100 volunteers involved in IM Venture Summer Projects, and most importantly to everyone within the amazing IM Venture Class of 2014 family. IM Venture has continued to develop and redefine its mission, vision, and goals to best serve the needs of Vietnamese youths and to best capture the immensely valuable experience that we want every Vietnamese youth to have. Today, I want to reverse the time back to one year ago to trace back the history of IM Venture to tell a special story about IM Venture and its people, to show gratitude to everyone who has made this program possible, and to highly encourage all Vietnamese youths around the world to take part in this program and to join our global family of IM Venturers. Having moved to the US in 7th grade, I developed a special gratitude and strong attachment to my Vietnamese background and identity. Since 7th grade, every time I come back to Vietnam, I couldn’t hide the excitement that I felt as I embraced even the simplest aspects in the usual life of Vietnamese people: from the delicious taste of Vietnamese iced coffee to the fresh and authentic taste of “com Hen,” from the cute bookstores to the fun street food vendors to hang out with friends at night. Everything about Vietnam was so familiar, simple, yet dear to my heart. I wanted to go back to travel across Vietnam to reconnect to my Vietnamese identity, to uncover the beauty of Vietnamese people of different regions, to experience and taste the delicious regional cuisines from the North to the Southern ends of Vietnam, and to become appreciative and aware of my mother country where I was born and raised for the first 12 years of my life. Inspired by the desire to travel across Vietnam, I realized that the trip would be even more meaningful if I get to travel with local Vietnamese youths where I immerse in an authentic culture through interacting with Vietnamese peers and learning about their life stories growing up in Vietnam while sharing with them about my life experience, from the funny and eventful memories I had built growing up to the incredible lessons that I have learned while studying abroad. I also see the gap of interactions between Vietnamese youths studying abroad and local Vietnamese students and the inadequacy of any mean that exists to connect these two groups together to foster mutual exchange and mutual learning. I want to build a global network of Vietnamese youths who can inspire each other and share with each other their perspectives and valuable life lessons. Beyond building a network, I want to build a real family where people feel included, appreciated for who they are and inspired by people that they are intimately connected with. With this global network of friends, I hope to inspire more Vietnamese youths to become global citizens, to develop global perspectives, and to become exposed to and inspired by great things that their peers around the world are learning and doing. I want this global

network of friends to support each other, to hang out with each other, and to grow together through mutual understanding and learning. Hence, IM Venture was born to not only give Vietnamese youths the opportunity to travel and uncover the beauty of their motherland but also to grow themselves, to find their inner strengths and talents, to become inspired, and to inspire others around them. The first IM Venture trip embarked in June of 2014. It was much more successful than I even expected and could even imagine, solely because of the people, of every single individual that was part of that trip. IM Venture Class of 2014 was a melting pot of personalities and talents. Throughout the trip, even the shyest individuals learn to speak up to show others their perspectives and deepest life stories. From people who are shy to people who are outspoken, from people who are talented in music and love dancing to people who love thinking deeply about community issues, from people who love traveling to those who have never traveled before, from people who are most sociable to those who are most quiet, they all learned new skills, became more aware of who they are and what they are capable of, and most importantly they all developed life- long friendships with people who shared completely different backgrounds, talents, and personalities that they might have never gotten a chance to meet otherwise. From playing the old childhood games that we all played growing up to learning how to wash clothes within 3 minutes, from interacting with inspiring professionals in Vietnam to talking to local vendors on the streets, from telling each other our deepest secrets to screaming all our hearts out in karaoke nights, from engaging in intimate discussions about community issues to sharing with others about our personal fears and concerns, we could never forget all these precious moments and valuable lessons that we have all shared and learned together. Over the course of one year after the trip, there have been countless numbers of meet-ups, messages, and Facebook notifications that we have received from each other. We have truly developed a supportive group of friends to help each other whenever needed. Many of our IM Venturers also received scholarships to study abroad, to travel elsewhere, and many even get featured on many Vietnamese magazines and newspapers. Even up to today, many of our alumni have decided to come back to work on IM Venture 2015, to select and recruit the following class of 2015, and to travel together with the future members of IM Venture family. IM Venture cannot be complete without the people who have been involved in building and contributing to the project. I truly feel proud and lucky to have been part of this incredible family and project and I hope that IM Venture will continue to receive tremendous support and interest from Vietnamese youths around the world. IM Venture family can’t wait to welcome new members for IM Venture Class of 2015 and we look forward to getting to know all of you! Most sincerely, Tuongvan Le,

IM VENTURE 2015 — SỰ ĐA DẠNG BÙNG NỔ IM Venture tin rằng sự khác biệt khiến cho cuộc sống nhiều màu sắc và thú vị hơn. IM Venture tự hào là một mái nhà kết nối những người con đất Việt, dù ở Việt Nam hay bất kì nơi nào trên thế giới, về một nơi và cùng khám phá quê hương thông qua chuyến đi xuyên Việt kéo dài 11 ngày. Trong 11 ngày đó, các bạn sẽ đi dọc chiều dài đất nước, học hỏi không ngừng từ những địa điểm mà các bạn đến, những con người mà các bạn gặp, và từ chính những thay đổi trong nhận thức của các bạn. “Du lịch sẽ giết chết định kiến, sự thiển cận và tư duy hẹp hòi.” (Mark Twain) Nhưng tại sao nhiều khi tôi đi du lịch nhưng suy nghĩ của tôi vẫn như cũ? Có lẽ là do chúng ta chưa thật sự chịu khó ‘va chạm’ với những gì khác biệt — bởi vì bản năng của con người là ưa chuộng sự an toàn mà những điều quen thuộc mang lại. Nhưng nào, hãy thử tưởng tượng một nhóm những người bạn đồng hành, đến từ chính mảnh đất xa lạ chúng ta chuẩn bị ghé thăm, sẽ tham gia bạn trong chuyến hành trình này. Họ nhiệt tình và cởi mở, hi vọng họ sẽ giúp quá trình làm quen với cái mới của bạn sẽ mượt mà hơn. Đợt tuyển chọn thành viên tham dự IM Venture 2015 đã kết thúc, và IMV không thể vui mừng hơn khi nhìn lại những con số xoay quanh ‘mùa tuyển sinh’ này. Trang sự kiện trên Facebook: 1,300 lượt quan tâm. Số lượng đơn đăng kí: 252 đơn. Các quốc gia đại diện: USA, UK, Finland, Italy, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany, Russia Các trường phổ thông/đại học: Ở Việt Nam — 70 trường

IM Venture Founder

Ở các nước khác — 47 trường

Hà Tĩnh, THPT Hoàng Hoa Thám, Học Viện An Ninh Nhân Dân, ĐH Sài Gòn, THPT Chuyên Bình Long, THPT Quỳ Hợp, Hải Phòng Private University, THPT Thăng Long, THPT Chuyên Trần Đại Nghĩa,THPT Nguyễn Trường Tộ, TPHT Phan Đình Phùng, THPT Đoàn Thị Điểm, THPT Nguyễn Hữu Huân, THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn (Vũng Tàu), THPT Chuyên Lê Quý Đôn (Khánh Hòa), THPT Tiên Lãng, THPT Chuyên Lê Khiết, ĐH Mở, ĐH Bách Khoa TP HCM, Học Viện Ngoại Giao, ĐH Sư Phạm Kĩ Thuật, ĐH RMIT, HUFLIT, HUTECH, American International School [70] Quốc tế: University of Pennsylvania, Yale-NUS, LSE - London School of Economics and Political Science, Nanyang Technology University, University of Massachusetts Boston, Miss Hall’s School, Docklands Academy London, Shattuck.St-Mary’s School, Columbia College – Missouri, Mount Holyoke College, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada), Valencia College, Grier School, Howard University, Bennington College, Wesleyan University,Wilbraham and Monson Academy, University of Richmond, Aalto University, Finland, Newbury Park Adventist Academy, Clark University, Dickinson College, Lycoming College, Heritage Prep School, Penn State University, Mahindra United World College in India, Truman State University, St. Anthony’s High School, University of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada), University of East Anglia, Keele University (UK), Hofstra University, Stetson University, Chase Grammar School, Aalto University School of Business (Helsinki, Finland), Denison University, University of Sheffield, Chongqing University of Post and Telecommunications, Florence Design Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, Pacific University, Edmonds Community College, Knox College Class of 2019, Seattle Central College, Gettysburg College, Wabash College, UWC Robert Botsch College [47]

Tổng cộng — 117 trường trên khắp thế giới!!! Và đây là danh sách các trường đại diện: Tại Việt Nam: THPT Chuyên Quốc Học Huế, ĐH Luật TP HCM, THPT Chuyên Lê Hồng Phong, Cao Đẳng Y Tế Huế, ĐH Tài Chính TP HCM, ĐH Tây Nguyên, THPT Chuyên Hà Nội Amsterdam, THPT Phan Châu Trinh, ĐH Ngoại Thương Hà Nội, ĐH Thương Mại, THPT Gia Định, THPT Chuyên Ngoại Ngữ, ĐH Ngoại Ngữ Huế, Học Viện Ngân Hàng TP HCM, THPT Chuyên Trần Phú (Hải Phòng), THPT Tố Hữu, THPT Việt Đức, ĐH Kinh Tế — Luật, THPT Chuyên Lương Thế Vinh (Biên Hoà - Đồng Nai), ĐH Sư Phạm TP HCM, THPT Chuyên Phan Bội Châu, ĐH Kinh Tế Quốc Dân, ĐH Kinh Tế TP HCM, ĐH Kinh Tế Huế, ĐH Luật Huế, ĐH Kiến Trúc TP HCM, ĐH Mỹ Thuật, ĐH Xã hội & Nhân Văn, THPT Thoại Ngọc Hầu, THPT Bùi Thị Xuân, American International School Saigon, Australian International School Saigon, Phổ Thông Năng Khiếu, ĐHDL Văn Lang, THCS Colette, ĐH Quốc Gia Hà Nội, ĐH Quốc Tế TP HCM, ĐH Phú Xuân, Auckland International College, Pôle Universitaire Francais à HCM ville, ĐH Y Dược Hà Nội, ĐH Kinh Tế Đà Nẵng, ĐH Y Dược TP HCM, ĐH Ngoại Thương TP HCM, THPT Chuyên

252 con người đến từ những hoàn cảnh, xuất thân rất khác nhau, cám ơn các bạn đã tin tưởng IM Venture như một không gian rộng mở để các bạn trình bày những tâm tư, khát vọng, niềm vui cũng như những bức xúc trong cuộc sống. Các bạn ban ‘tuyển sinh’ ai ai cũng hết sức muốn được gặp các bạn, thậm chí còn ‘tranh giành’ các bạn được chọn để đi chung chuyến với mình. IM Venture sẽ cố gắng cải thiện và mở rộng quy mô chương trình hơn, với hi vọng sẽ chạm được đến nhiều bạn ứng viên với hoàn cảnh sống khác biệt nữa, để tất cả chúng ta có thể học hỏi lẫn nhau thông qua câu chuyện rất riêng của mỗi người. IM Venture — Travel, Lead, and Learn.

Trip I tinerary

Điểm đến : Sài Gòn – Phan Rang – Đà Lạt – Buôn Mê Thuột – Hà Nội – Mai Châu Thời gian: 11 ngày 10 đêm Khởi hành: Hè 2015 TÓM LƯỢC LỊCH TRÌNH: Ngày 1: Sài Gòn – Gặp gỡ Ngày 2: Sài Gòn – Phan Rang Ngày 3: Phan Rang Ngày 4: Phan Rang – Đà Lạt Ngày 5: Đà Lạt – Hồ Lak Ngày 6: Hồ Lak – Buôn Mê Thuột Ngày 7: Buôn Mê Thuột – Đà Nẵng – Huế - Chày Lập Ngày 8: Chày Lập – Đồng Hới – Hà Nội Ngày 9: Hà Nội - Mai Châu Ngày 10: Mai Châu - Hà Nội – Gala Ngày 11: Hà Nội – Chia tay

LỊCH TRÌNH CHI TIẾT: Ngày 1: Sài Gòn (ăn tối) 14h00: Nhận phòng khách sạn. Gặp gỡ đoàn. Giới thiệu hành trình tại khách sạn. 18h00: ăn tối tại quán Đo Đo của nhà văn Nguyễn Nhật Ánh. Nghỉ đêm tại khách sạn. Ăn bao gồm: bữa tối Khách sạn: Hoang Hai Long South hotel (56-58 Phạm Hồng Thái, Quận 1) - Tel: 08. 3823.9004 - www.hoanghailongsouth.com hoặc tương đương

Ngày 2: Sài Gòn – Phan Rang (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Ăn sáng tại khách sạn. 07h00: Khởi hành đi Phan Rang, ăn trưa trên đường đi. Chiều đến Phan Rang – Tháp Chàm, tham quan tháp PoKlong Grai – ngôi tháp thiêng nổi tiếng. Nhận phòng khách sạn, nghỉ ngơi, ăn tối. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Long Thuận Resort

Ngày 3: Phan Rang – dân tộc Chăm (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Lang thang trong những ngôi làng nhỏ quanh thành phố Phan Rang - Tháp Chàm là một cách thú vị để tìm và hiểu thêm về mảnh đất nhiều nắng gió này. 50% trong tổng số hơn 100.000 người Chăm tại Việt Nam sống tại Ninh Thuận. Tuy vậy, con số khiêm tốn đó không diễn tả hết được ảnh hưởng sâu rộng của văn hóa Chăm lên đời sống của người dân nơi đây. Trong làng Chăm, có những ngôi nhà trồng hoa chămpa và chữ Chăm viết trên những biển hiệu cửa hàng. Chợ thường được dựng lên sơ sài trên bãi đất trống với vài mái lều. Tham quan và trải nghiệm tại làng gốm Bàu Trúc, làng dệt thổ cẩm Mỹ Nghiệp. Những ruộng muối, những cánh đồng nho cũng là điểm hấp dẫn để khám phá cuộc sống của người dân địa phương vùng này. Một ngày ở Phan Rang hứa hẹn mang đến cho du khách những cảm xúc bỏng cháy. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Long Thuận Resort Ngày 4: Phan Rang – Đà Lạt (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Ăn sáng, trả phòng khách sạn. Rời miền nắng gió, hành trình tiếp theo lên cao nguyên Đà Lạt, nơi bạt ngàn thông reo và thành phố trong mây chào đón quý khách. Tham quan núi LangBiang, nghe chuyện tình huyền thoại của chàng Lang và nàng Biang. Tìm hiểu về dân tộc Lạch ở xã Lát, ngay dưới chân núi Lang Biang. Dạo chợ đêm Đà Lạt. Nghỉ đêm tại khách sạn. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Resort Ngày 5: Đà Lạt – hồ Lak (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Ăn sáng, trả phòng khách sạn. Xe đưa đoàn đến với hồ Lak – hồ nước ngọt nổi tiếng ở miền cao nguyên, nơi buôn làng của người M’Nông cư ngụ. Ngắm hoàng hôn tuyệt đẹp trên hồ. Ngủ Nhà Dài và giao lưu với đồng bào dân tộc từ buôn Jun hay buôn M›liêng. Thăm biệt điện vua Bảo Đại ven hồ. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Nhà Dài Ngày 6: hồ Lak – Buôn Mê Thuột (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Rời hồ Lak, đoàn tiếp tục hành trình về với đại ngàn Tây Nguyên. Thăm buôn Đôn – nơi có mộ vua Voi với những câu chuyện độc đáo về loài vật to lớn mà dễ mến trong bài hát quen thuộc “Chú voi con ở bản Đôn” thuở thiếu thời. Chiều về Buôn Mê Thuột – thủ phủ của vùng. Khám phá café Buôn Mê. Ăn tối và nghỉ đêm tại khách sạn. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Nhà Dài

Ngày 7: Buôn Mê Thuột – Đà Nẵng – Huế - Chày Lập (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Đáp chuyến bay sớm đi Đà Nẵng. Xe đón tại sân bay băng đèo Hải Vân ra ghé Huế ăn trưa các đặc sản Cố đô. Dừng chân tại biển Lăng Cô. Tiếp tục hành trình đi Vườn quốc gia Phong Nha Kẻ Bàng. Chiều đến thôn Chày Lập – nằm trong VQG, cùng nấu bữa tối với chủ nhà và nghỉ đêm tại homestay Chày Lập. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Chay Lap homestay (www.chaylap.org) Ngày 8: Chày Lập – Phong Nha – Đồng Hới – Hà Nội (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Ăn sáng tại homestay. Khám phá các trang trại ở Phong Nha. Học cách trồng tiêu, trồng sắn, trồng ngô tại trang trại bác Vị - cựu chiến binh. Tiếp đó đi bộ dọc sông Rào Con để đến với Wild Boar Farm – trang trại nuôi heo rừng, nơi quý khách sẽ được học cách nuôi và huấn luyện heo rừng (How to train a wild boar). Ăn bữa trưa tại trang trại. Chiều xe đón về Đồng Hới, đáp tàu đêm đi Hà Nội. Nghỉ đêm trên tàu. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Nghỉ đêm trên tàu – giường nằm, điều hòa. (SE4) Ngày 9: Hà Nội – Mai Châu (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Sáng sớm đến Hà Nội. Chạy thể dục quanh bờ hồ Hoàn Kiếm cùng với bà con Thủ đô. Ăn sáng món Phở trứ danh. Xe đón đi Mai Châu, nơi “mùa em thơm nếp xôi”. Nhận phòng tại bản Mai Hịch – bản người Thái. Tham gia các hoạt động cộng đồng: học múa xòe hoa, nhảy sạp. Ăn tối và nghỉ đêm tại nhà sàn. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Nghỉ đêm: nhà sàn Ngày 10: Mai Châu – Hà Nội (ăn sáng/trưa/tối) Tham gia hoạt động tình nguyện, giao lưu và hỗ trợ cho dân bản, như: gặt lúa // làm bảng chỉ đường vào bản... Sau đó, về Hà Nội, tự do chuẩn bị cho chương trình Gala. Nghỉ đêm tại Hà Nội. Ăn bao gồm: 3 bữa Khách sạn: Indochina Queen 2 hotel - http://indochinaqueenhotel.com/indo2/ Tel: 84 43 9233993/ 9233996 Ngày 11: Hà Nội – Kết thúc (ăn sáng) Ăn sáng tại khách sạn. Trả phòng. Xe đưa ra phi trường, đáp chuyến bay về nhà. Kết thúc hành trình khám phá dân tộc Việt. Hẹn gặp lại.

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T rip Le a d e r s Trần Thạch Thảo School: Savannah College of Art and Design Class of 2018 Major: Interior Design Activities & Interests: HR Associate Director of VietAbroader, International Gala, Outing Club, Event Organizing, Volunteering, IM Venture Founding Team Member, IM Venture Recruiter

Đào Thủy Tiên School: Mount Holyoke College Class of 2018 Major: Computer Science Activities & Interests: American Red Cross Media Coordinator, Stage Lead, Radio Show Host, Photographer, Asian Youth Leaders Convention 2012, Hanoi Food Rescue, IM Venture 2014 Trip Participan

Big Papa Shi CEO of Oriental Sky Travel Featured on Trips Advisor, Triip.me, and Good Morning America for his leading tours in Son Doong Cave Enthusiastic biker, winner of Tu Lan Race Charity Campaign biking across multiple cities in Vietnam Fluent in English, Vietnamese, Thai

Anh Zen (Trương Ngọc Huy) Designer and Professional Photographer for IM Venture and Oriental Sky Travel Activities & Interests: photography, design, video production, modeling, dancing

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Pa rt ic ipa n t s

Participants Nguyễn Ái Bảo Ngọc School: Banking University of HCMC graduate. Company: KPMG Vietnam, by October 2015 Activities & Interests: guitar, table tennis, swimming, martial-art (Karate do), reading (novel and historical stories), travelling.

Đặng Thuỳ Linh School: Mount Holyoke College Major: Computer Science and Math Activities & Interests: traveling, watching American action comedies and Korean dramas, outdoor activities.

Lê Thị Thanh Huyền School: Stetson University Activities & Interests: Tennis, playing flute, gardening, president of National Honor Society at school, intern at Merril Lynch, participant of Business Youth Program funded by Johnson and Johnson, peer mentor, volunteering.

Ngô Mai Quang Huy School: Auckland International College Major (expected): Accounting and Finance Activities & Interests: soccer, video game, writing

Nguyễn Lê Hiền Khanh (Kei) School: University of East Anglia, UK Major: Business Management Activities & Interests: travelling, cooking, styling (home décor, clothing, and food styling).

Nguyễn Ái Bảo Châu School: Quốc Học Huế Activities & Interests: astronomy, sports, travelling, playing guitar, and listening to music.

Trần Mai Linh School: Lycoming College Activities & Interests: Hanoi’s food, Starbuck, hanging out with friends, shopping, dancing (hip hop, traditional dance, K-pop...), and travelling

Nguyễn Phúc Trầm Thanh School: American International School Activities & Interests: travelling, watching American TV shows, MUN, top 10 Future CEO by Business Style Magazine. Going to South Africa this summer.

J une 2 01 5

Pa rt ici pants Bùi Vũ Trâm Anh School: University of Richmond Major: Chemical Engineering Minor: Art Activities & Interests: Arts, including musical instruments and visual art performances. Social issues.

Lê Nguyễn Khánh Linh School: Lê Hồng Phong high school (HCM) Activities & Interests: playing guitar, drawing, singing, and pranking

Nguyễn Hữu Hương Giang School: Quốc Học Huế Activities & Interests: swimming, singing, dancing, innovating science and technology, and making friends

Lương Trúc Mai School: Đà Nẵng University of Economics Activities & Interests: delegate of Vietnam Youths and Sustainable Development Summit 2014, drawing, writing, reading manga, novels, watching films, and chatting with friends.

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Pa rt ic ipa n t s Nguyễn Kim Nhật Huy School: HN Amsterdam Activities & Interests: guitar, sleeping, singing, DOTA 2

Nguyễn Thị Minh Thư School: Yale-NUS College Activities & Interests: Education and Urban Planning, work part-time at Nutreco Vietnam, team Leader of Bandaid project, baking, singing Vietnamese old romance songs, food and books

Bùi Gia Huy School: Howard University Major: Architecture Activities & Interests: drawing, basketball, photography, and martial arts

Nguyễn Thị Trà My School: Foreign Trade University Activities & Interests: travelling, writing, and listening to music.

J u ne 2 01 5

Partici pants Ngô Mai Nhật Huy School: Auckland International College Activities & Interests: soccer team captain, story sharing, medicine, and event planning.

Nguyễn Mỹ Linh School: Phạm Hồng Thái high school Activities & Interests: drawing, eating ice-cream, wants to open a coffee shop

Lương Lưu Ly School: Knox College Activities & Interests: Classical guitar, writing, traveling, dancing, musical theatre, psychology

Chu Lê Huy Vũ School: Quốc Học Huế Activities & Interests: music, singing, playing musical instruments, horoscope, tarot, reading, speaks Japanese

Đỗ Thuỳ Trang School: Clark University Activities & Interests: cooking, cleaning, creating, reading, enjoying nature, an atheist who believes in miracles.

C onta ct D i rec tory Name Anh Shi Trần Thạch Thảo Đào Thuỷ Tiên Lê Thị Thanh Huyền Trần Mai Linh Đặng Thuỳ Linh Nguyễn Lê Hiền Khanh Ngô Mai Quang Huy Đỗ Thuỳ Trang Bùi Vũ Trâm Anh Lương Lưu Ly Ngô Mai Nhật Huy Bùi Gia Huy Nguyễn Ái Bảo Châu Nguyễn Ái Bảo Ngọc Nguyễn Phúc Trầm Thanh Nguyễn Hữu Hương Giang Lương Trúc Mai Lê Nguyễn Khánh Linh Chi Lê Huy Vũ Nguyễn Kim Nhật Huy Nguyễn Thị Trà My Nguyễn Mỹ Linh Nguyễn Thị Minh Thư

Email sales@orientalskytravel.com thaotr1209@gmail.com dao23t@mtholyoke.edu htle@stetson.edu linhmaitran95@gmail.com dang22l@mtholyoke.edu nlhkhanh10@gmail.com ngomaiquanghuy@gmail.com trangdo912@gmail.com tramanh.bui@richmond.edu lyluuluong166@gmail.com nhathuyngomai@gmail.com buigiahuy96@gmail.com ngoam76@gmail.com ngocnab@gmail.com thanhteena@gmail.com huonggiangnguyenhuu@gmail.com luongtrucmai142@gmail.com khanhlinh3698@gmail.com chulehuyvu@gmail.com huy236@Gmail.com tramy.ttn@gmail.com nguyenmylinh2498@gmail.com thuminhnguyen3010@gmail.com

TENTATIVE ACTIVITIES During the trip, everyone will have the chance to participate in the following activities: 1. Journaling: Self-awareness and self-reflection allows participants to personally develop themselves, become aware of their strengths and limitations, and encourage themselves to learn from their peers. Throughout the entire trip, there will be group discussions every night for at least 45 minutes, when everyone gets together and talks about their days and engage in deep discussion topics. After each discussion, every member must spend 15 minutes in complete silence to journal/record down their favorite memories, moments, or lessons that they have learned on that day. Whatever they want to write about, it’s up to them. But they must be writing something meaningful. Writing a journal will not only train our reflection skills but also help keep our valuable memorable experiences. 2. Trip Diary: Each class will together make its own diary. Two members will be appointed to be responsible for leading the entire group to work on this project and recording as well as writing down meaningful lessons and memorable quotes. These two persons will also track places where they have visited and note down interesting things that have happened on that day. They have to interview other participants to track down their thoughts. There will be one more mission which is very important for these two leaders, but it will remain a secret until the beginning of the trip. 3. Gossip and Wishlist: Two participants will be appointed to take initiate of this activity. During breakfast, every member is asked to anonymously write down at least 1 thing on the gossip list and 1 thing on the wish list. Gossip is the list of things participants may observe during the trip, or things they want to confess to someone else. Wish list is a list of what participants want to improve in the future. This list will be read on the road and shared during free time by the two leasers. 4. Secret Buddy: At the beginning of the trip, each member will be assigned to be a secret buddy for one random member. Their mission is to secretly take care of this person without letting he or she know. They can also prepare gifts, surprises and write notes for their friend, as long as they do not reveal their role as his or her secret buddy. By the end of the trip, people will have the chance to guest who is their Secret Buddy and receive a small gift from each other. Ofcourse, secret buddy have to try their best to understand their friend so as to prepare the most precious gift for he or she. 5. Student-led Seminar: Everyone is unique in his or her own way and will bring their own color to IMVenture. This year, every member will have the chance to share their unique with other participants by planning their own skill-training seminar. They may choose the skills that they are proud of the most, and teach people this skill. These skills may be martial arts, magic tricks or debate skills. 6. Photoshoot: At the very first day of the trip, everyone will have the chance to present themselves in a photoshoot session. They will choose their own outfit, makeup or decoration so as to show their identity in a photograph. And by the end of the trip, we will organize another photoshoot. This time is to check how the trip has transformed

everyone after 10 days. A collage of the two photograph is then made to create a Transformation Album. 7. Coffee Chat: Experienced, successful peers will be invited and have a chat as well as share advices or experiences with participants. There will be around 4 speakers at each coffee chat. This year, the topic will be Where I Came From and Where I Am Today. Guest Speakers will talk about their struggles, risks and rewards in their career as well as casual life. 8. Skill-training Workshop: There will be 3 workshops organized throughout the trip. These workshop will serve as a skill training for IMVenture participants. Under the lead of two trip leaders, participants will have the chance to share experiences and learn more about communication skills, presentation and networking skills. They will also practice these skills and give feedback for one another. Organizing skill and team-working skill will also be trained throughout these workshops. 9. June Trip Mission Project: Per IM Venture trip, 20 attendees and 2 trip leaders will be responsible for thinking about 1 grand project related to the mission of IMVenture or the trip of IMVenture to give back to the program. This allows all 20 members to work together as a team, under leadership of 2 team leaders, on 1 grand project. The project is chosen by team leaders. An example of a possible project is making a documentary of ethnic groups they encounter and include something interesting about each group that they learn from, write a song for IMVenture and choreograph a dance together, making an album of funniest “IMVenture” moments throughout the trip. This project needs to take place throughout the entire trip and need to be substantial. 10. Grand Gala: This is the final gala at the end of the trip, organized by IMVenture participants. 2 people will be appointed to become MCs and coordinate all the performances. Everyone will get together, share their thoughts about the trip and then perform. Everyone will be awarded with a certificate. People are asked to take part in at least one performance - whether it is dancing, singing, magic trick, story telling, making poetry, or something else. 11. Circle of Appreciation: By the end of the trip, everyone will have a chance to deeply reflect about what they have experienced so far. People will sit in a circle and take turn to talk about their weakness or fears. Then, other participants will share how to deal with those fears and improve those weaknesses. Moving on to the next part, everyone will close their eyes, and the trip leaders will go around and ask questions reflection-questions for participants to answer anonymously and show their gratitude or appreciation to others. 12. Test! You’re right! No mistake here. We will have many tests throughout the trip! These are fifteen-minute tests and you will be graded. Everyone will have a GPA at the end of the trip based on your performances in these tests. Let’s see who is the smartest one! Beside these main activities, there will be other fun games for people to bond and know about each other, share their dreams, help everyone truly involve and deeply understand about Vietnamese cultures. For example: Mafia, Flashmob, Eating Contest, Truth or Dare, Virus Infected, Scavenger Hunt, etc. That sounds really packed, doesn’t it? So. ARE YOU READY???

DEPOSIT INFORMATION Option 1: Please deposit the $300 remaining fee to the same bank account prior to the trip (info should be in the folder that we have shared with you in your acceptance letter) Option 2: Bring $300 in cash or check on the first day of the trip

PREPARATIONS 1. Personal Expenses (for one person): Loại chi phí

Số lượng ước tính (VNĐ)

Chú thích

Coffee Chat (Day 1)

Mandatory for all coffee chat participants. You also have the option to not participate in the coffee chat.

Gift for Secret Buddy

The Secret Santa Gift Exchange is mandatory for all participants. Each gift will need to be at least 20,000 VND. All other souvenirs during the trip are optional and up to your choice.

Souvenirs, snacks, street food, etc...

Optional for late night hanging out or random snacks on the road.

Traveling expense (if needed)

This is just in case we need to travel to places not listed on the schedule.

Yearbook (Colored Program Booklet)

This is a print-out of this program booklet for you to keep as a yearbook/ save memories of your trip. This is optional for purchase and you will have to indicate to us whether you would like this printed out prior to the trip (we will send out a form for this)

IM Venture T-shirt

This is mandatory for everyone. We will send out a form for size registration later.

Karaoke Summary

*Note: all of these expenses are estimated only. IM Venture recommend participants to carefully consider this list and bring extra amount if needed.

2. Packing List: This is a list of necessary things we recommend you to bring for the trip. However, if you need any other special personal items, feel free to add to this list. 1. IM Venture Program Booklet (we will send you via email and you can choose to print it on your own, copy it to your smart phone or order a colored version from us) 2. 2 photos size 4x6 (in case needed) 3. Official and copies of Personal ID (in case needed) 4. Passport 5. Comfortable and casual clothes for the 11-day trip. Keep in mind that we will travel a lot, and sweat a lot, so choose suitable materials and a right amount. 6. Long sleeves shirt and long pants. We will visit temples, so appropriate outfit is needed. Also, long clothes can prevent us from bugs or sun burnt during the trip. 7. Underwear or undershirts. 8. Fancy pretty awesome clothes! We will celebrate Grand Gala at the end of the trip. You can dress up that night, so bring whatever you want. 9. Sandals/ flip flops/ leisure shoes. Please do not wear high heels (only if you want to stay fabulous on Gala Night) 10. Hats and Umbrella 11. A light raincoat (the nylon one is enough) 12. Clock/ Alarm clock (if needed) 13. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, comb, shaving supplies, 14. Insect repellant 15. Sunscreen, or sun-protecting shirts 16. Personal medications, pain relieves or vitamins. Trip leaders will prepare basic medications. If you need special ones, please prepare on your own. 17. Cell phone, laptop, tablets, electronic chargers. Please save number of Thach Thao (093 653 5995), anh Shi (098 555 5827), and Thuy Tien (091 274 1996) 18. Camera, MP3 player 19. Pens, pencils, highlights, 2 each. We will not be able to provide you these stuffs during the trip. 20. Personal water bottle 21. Wallet! With cash, of course. 22. YOUR FAVORITE T-SHIRT/OUTFIT. Please wear this on the first day on orientation (June 6th). You will be asked to show and tell your favorite T shirt and also we will take a professional photo of you with your favorite shirt, which you will use throughout your trip as your profile photo on Facebook. 23. INSTRUMENTS, CARDS, OTHER GAMES. Please bring any instrument you can play to the trip or any board game, deck of cards that you would like to play with others on car rides or at night. This is an essential part of the trip to show your talent, interest, or favorite game and play it with others! Teach others how to play games that you love

Sponsors Oriental Sky Travel We organize colorful adventures (cycling, caving, trekking) in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Address: 130 Nguyen Hue Street, Hue City http://www.orientalskytravel.com/

ORIENTAL SKY TRAVEL

Everest Education T h e C o l o(E2) rs of Adventure Founded by Harvard and Stanford graduates, E2 is a Ho Chi Minh City-based tutoring organization that prepares students mentally and academically for an international education. Our broad range of courses and support services cultivate the critical thinking, communication, creativity and teamwork skills necessary to be globally competitive. We help students develop a foundation for lifelong learning in an international setting. Additional information about E2 is available at www.e2.com.vn

Special Than

IM Venture Organizing Members: • Truc Vo, IM Venture 2014 Participant, Chief Operating Manager • Nguyen Nguyen, Loc Nguyen, Thuc Anh Tran, My Nguyen, Thao Thach Tran, Thuy Tien Dao, An Dang, Nhi Phan, Vi Le, Trang Nguyen, Ha Nguyen, Anh Phuong Tran, Linh Nguyen – IM Venture Recruitment Team Members • Other IM Venture 2014 Participants for being supportive and spreading the words about IM Venture

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