How to Have Clothes Tailored in Vietnam

If you plan on visiting Vietnam and are interested in having clothes made, then this short guide is for you.

Why I'll Stop Doing International Volunteer Trips

I'm not writing anything that hasn't already been written before. Articles like "The Problem With Little White Girls, Boys and Voluntourism" and TED Talks like "How to Kill your Charity" all explore some of the very same challenges with volunteering abroad that I'm going to share through my own experiences.

I want to add my voice to the chorus of those who encourage you to give more thoughtful consideration when presented with the opportunity to volunteer abroad.

Một kỷ niệm đẹp: Ăn Tết ở Việt Nam

Tháng Một năm 2014, Thuỳ nói là chúng tôi sẽ về quê để ăn Tết với gia đình Thuỳ. Tôi đồng ý ngay. Thứ nhất, tôi thích gia đình Thuỳ và muốn gặp lại họ. Thứ hai, tôi biết là việc về quê ăn Tết là một phong tục Việt Nam ít người nước ngoài có được cơ hội như vậy. Tuy nhiên, tôi đã không biết là kinh nghiệm ăn Tết với gia đình vợ sẽ làm tôi thay đổi suy nghĩ về Tết và văn hoá VN.

Thuy Is Going to W. Africa, Here's the News

If you're reading this, then Thuy has decided that the possibility of her going to West Africa to volunteer for Partners In Health to help with their Ebola response has become real enough to share with everyone.

About two months ago, Thuy applied and was quickly accepted into PIH. She will be joining a deployment of doctors who will travel to Sierra Leone to, among other things, treat patients affected with Ebola and train local staff in proper Ebola treatment procedures.

She departed for training in Boston on Tuesday, January 20. The week after she will fly to Sierra Leone to work on the ground with PIH.

Thuy's Flying Solo

Written: Wednesday, December 17, 2014

I had a formal screening interview with a recruiter from PIH yesterday (Tuesday).

Long story short, I need more experience working in these kinds of emergency medical relief situations before they'll consider bringing me on board. Sucks, but understandable.

Thuy will be flying to West Africa alone.

Thuy's Formal Offer to W. Africa: Preparations and Paperwork

Written: Thursday, December 4, 2014

Shortly after Thuy received a call from PIH informing her that they want her on their team of doctors that will travel to West Africa to treat those infected with Ebola, PIH sent her an email (see below) with a formal offer and a few attachments with files that she would have to promptly fill out and return to PIH.

As far as I've been told, she is supposed to leave on January 5. We're already about a month away from this new adventure.

Thuy Receives Offer to Join Partners in Health in Fighting Ebola in W. Africa

Written: Monday, December 1, 2014

Thuy recently completed two rounds of phone interviews with Partners in Health as part of her application to become a member of the PIH team of doctors that will travel to West Africa to assist those afflicted with Ebola.

If you're reading this, then you can probably guess the outcome.