Hoa Sen University and the University of Illinois: Advancing Academic Collaboration in a Multicultural Learning Environment

On January 14, 2026, the Faculty of Languages and Psychology at Hoa Sen University hosted an Academic Exchange and Vietnamese Cultural Experience program welcoming faculty and students from the University of Illinois. This activity reflects Hoa Sen University’s commitment to advancing internationalization, fostering academic exchange, and nurturing multicultural engagement on campus.

Strengthening Academic Exchange: HSU and the University of Illinois

Designed as a rich exchange journey, the program seamlessly connected knowledge sharing, practical experience, and cultural understanding. In the first session, Dr. Allison Witt and Dr. Jacob Minniear introduced students to the U.S. educational landscape, highlighting teaching philosophies and academic approaches practiced at the University of Illinois (Illinois). By engaging with real-world stories, students of Hoa Sen University (HSU) gained practical insights into international learning contexts and the ways higher education responded to changing social needs.

In the next session, Dr. Bui Yen Ngoc, a lecturer of the Faculty of Languages – Psychology at HSU, provided an overview of HSU’s training programs, academic culture, and core educational values. This sharing helped students from Illinois better understand Viet Nam’s higher education environment, characterized by openness, student-centered learning, and international integration.

Following that, an open discussion session took place, with active participation from students of both universities. The discussion covered topics such as study opportunities in the U.S., the skills needed for international education, and adapting to multicultural academic environments. Additionally, the exchange highlighted the proactive mindset, academic curiosity, and global outlook of HSU students.

Shared experiences connecting Vietnamese and American students

One of the program’s most distinctive highlights was its experiential cultural exchange component. Illinois students participated in making spring rolls, a well-known traditional Vietnamese dish, gaining firsthand experience of local culinary traditions through practical activities.

Concurrently, HSU students engaged in the Paper Game workshop, a creative experiential activity facilitated by American students and emphasizing themes of connection and gratitude. Such activities contributed to bridging cultural differences and promoting interpersonal connections among students from both countries.

At the conclusion of the program, representatives from Illinois expressed their positive impressions of HSU’s well-organized program, spirit of cooperation, and supportive academic environment. Both sides also discussed future directions for collaboration, such as strategic directions for collaboration, including exchange programs, joint academic activities, and the progression toward long-term cooperation agreements to support shared educational goals.

The exchange program with Illinois further affirms HSU’s orientation towards international integration in our training, where students study in a multicultural environment, proactively broaden their thinking, and are ready to become global citizens.