Vietnamese professors come to Farmer School to learn

Vietnam Professors with George Davis and Sooun Lee

Smaller class sizes, professors who welcome students’ questions, teaching theory within a context—these were a few classroom observations made by two visiting Vietnamese economics faculty members.

Smaller class sizes, professors who welcome students’ questions, teaching theory within a context—these were a few classroom observations made by two visiting Vietnamese economics faculty members.

Tuongm Trang and Van Mai, both from Vietnam National University (VNU), spent fall semester 2008 at Miami University as a result of a relationship the Farmer School solidified during its winter 2007-08 Vietnam program. Throughout the semester, both professors audited economics classes, and got a feel for the teaching style born of another culture.

"I have been in Miami University for one semester and it is an unforgettable period in my life,” said Trang, “I have more friends and have had many new experiences here.”

Trang and Mai expressed pleasure at what they had learned in the classes. They noted that while some of the class enrollments seemed small, this seemed beneficial as it allowed the professors to know all of their students.

The visitors said that they liked the fact that students were able to ask questions freely, and found that the FSB professors were not only willing to listen, but responded with enthusiasm. Both Trang and Mai came to believe that the interactions of the students and the professors enhanced the learning experience. They also found FSB professors very accessible, and helpful whenever they had questions.

“Miami has been a great place for me to study,” said Mai, “I will apply the different methods of teaching I learned at Miami University in my future studying and my teaching.”

“I would like to express my gratitude to all my friends and professors who helped me so much,” said Trang, “I hope the best things will come to them.”

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