Nicol in front of the “White House”, the Main Hall of Hanoi University
My name is Nicol Muscedere, I am a student from Italy and I attended the Hanoi University for the spring semester of 2025.
During my experience at university I attended 3 courses:
– Development economics: which further delved into the development of the Global South, a very useful outtake that you would not usually get studying the same subject in Italy, which I found very interesting and needed;
– Vietnam’s Foreign Policy: This course provided me with complete new knowledge, and allowed to further understand the diplomatic and political choices of the country I was in.
– Civil Society: while focusing on the birth of civil society, it also allowed me to learn about Vietnamese society and the struggles and efforts that have been put into place throughout the years. The courses were very enjoyable and allowed for a new perspective on such matters, especially for someone like me coming from Europe.
The professors were welcoming, capable and available in case of need. I was lucky enough to have good and welcoming classmates as well, which gave me the opportunity to develop new friendships and to be completely immersed in the local culture, being the only foreigner in each of my classes.
My expectations were far exceeded due to the amazing environment and culture that Hanoi provides. This city and also the country as a whole are very precious and impossible to forget, I was lucky enough to visit and travel around Vietnam and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, temples, food and people, making this the best experience of study abroad that I have had in my life.
For any upcoming students I would suggest to stay open minded, especially if coming from a very different culture and mindset, and to enjoy as much as the country and the city have to offer.
These are some of my pictures in Vietnam:
