UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

FACULTY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

WRITING 3A

GROUP INFORMATION

FULL NAME STUDENT CODE

Trn Nguyn Hng Ngc 1457060079

Trn Quc Cng 1457060026

Hong Cao Quyn 1457060118

L Cng Ph 1457060099

REPORTS SUBJECT: The field trip to neighboring countries for seniors of the Faculty of
International Relations.

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Aim and Objectives

The report was conducted with the aim to investigate the effectiveness of the field trip to
neighboring countries for seniors of the Faculty of International Relations (IR) since this field trip
was organized. In order to fulfill this purpose, some objectives was targeted:

To evaluate the degree to which IR alumni are satisfied with the field trip
To investigate the quality of educational activities and bonding activities in the field trip
To examine the practical values of the field trip which IR alumni have applied in various
aspects of their lives
To list some difficulties IR alumni had faced before/during/after taking the field trip
To give suggestions in order to better the forthcoming field trips

2. Scope
With the aim to investigate the effectiveness of the field trip to neighboring countries for seniors
of the Faculty of International Relations (IR) over the past 3 years, IR alumni (from 2013 to 2016)
who took part in the field trips over many years would be approached.
3. Background

The Faculty of International Relations motto, Be a pioneer, is carried out through the seniors
field trip to other neighboring countries of Vietnam, which makes it stand out as the first faculty
in Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities that organizes the international
internship for their students. This trip has been received warm responses and according to the
Academy Staff Lena Nguyen (2016), 95% of the students took part in the seniors field trip and
completed the report effectively. However, there are still a lot of concerns about the practical
values of this trip raised by students and their parents. The report will provide the most objective
point of view about the values associated with difficulties about this seniors field trip.

4. Methodology

The report used primary research method with the source of information from IR alumni database
provided by IR Faculty Admission and other related IR alumnis facebook fanpage.

4.1 Participants

The total population were 500 alumni of IR faculty for the past 3 years. However, because of the
large number of the population, the researcher took a sample as representative of the population.
The sample was composed of 70 participants who were chosen by simple random sampling.

4.2 Instruments

The research was conducted by one online survey: a questionnaire. This survey was divided into
2 parts. The first part focused on the respondents views on how effective the field trip was when
it comes to educational purposes. The second part dealt with respondents perspectives on how the
field trip motivated and boosted the bond between IR students.

4.3 Procedures

The google-form survey was distributed to IR Alumni through emails and the link was posted to
IR Alumni Group on Facebook. The deadline for receiving responses is 1 week after the releasing
day.
4.4 Method of data analysis

Descriptive statistical analyses were performed on the sample group to obtain a clear understand
of the population.

5. Limitations

Although the conducted research has reached its aims, there are still some inevitable limitations.
First, the research gained its information through only online questionnaire which was merely able
to reach alumni on Facebook and failed to access to those who did not use this channel. Second,
some respondents did not clearly remember their detailed field trip plan, so they could not provide
enough acquired information.

6. Finding and Discussion

I. Academic activities

Chart 1. Levels of satisfaction with cultural and academic exchange activities with
Cambodia and Thailand universities

Chart 1 illustrates the overall satisfaction level of the surveyors towards the field trip in
Cambodia and Thailand. Overall, 75% of the surveyors ranked the trip with the 2 most
positive scores (4 and 5). In particular, nearly half of the total surveyors (42,9%) ranked
the trip with the highest score. Respectively, the three lowest scores (from 3 to 1) account
for 16.1%, 7.1% and 1,8% of the total answers, with only 1 student ranked the trip with the
most negative score.
Chart 2 and 3. The opinions of the students about the 2 countries they visited in the field
trips

Chart 2 and 3 show the opinions of the students about the countries they visited during the
field trip. In general, nearly 70% of the students satisfied with the 2 visited countries of the
trip, while 30% s the faculty should change the destinations. Top 2 destination suggestions
given by surveyors are Singapore and Malaysia.
It appears that the trip to Thailand and Cambodia is still favoured over the last 3 years, and
no matter which countries they chose, it is mainly located in Asia.
Chart 4. The kinds of knowledge that students had learned through the activities of the
field trip

Chart 4 demonstrates kinds of knowledge that students had learned through the activities
of the field trip. For the most p, all given kinds of knowledge except economic were chosen
by above 55% of the surveyors. Cultural exchange knowledge was the most chosen item
with nearly 80%. The proportion of Political and Social are approximately equal (62,5%
and 66,1%, respectively). Only 1 student reported that he had learnt none of the given kinds
of knowledge.

Chart 5. The skills that alumni had learned through the field trip

Chart 5 shows the skills that alumni had learned through the field trip. Overall,
communication, teamwork and presentation were the top 3 skills chosen by the surveyors.
Communication skill came at first place which was chosen by over 80% of the students.
Respectively, teamwork skill and presentation skill owned the proportion of 76.8% and
42.9%. 26.8% surveyors chose leadership skill while other skills were chosen by 3.6% of
the surveyors.
These findings indicate that the faculty have succeeded in maintaining the academic quality
and skills which the students were expected to acquire.
 Chart 6 and 7. The
students opinions towards
the skills they had gained in
the field trip

Chart 6 and 7 illustrate the students opinions towards the skills they had gained in the field trip.
The first pie chart shows that approximately 80% of the surveyors thought the faculty should not
provide more knowledge and skills. The second one shows most of the surveyors agreed that the
skills they have learnt during the field trip could, in fact, help them in their real lives.
 II. Bonding activities

What were the benefits that you had from

the bonding activities in your field trip?

Strengthen solidarity Resolve conflicts

Understand each other better Others

Chart 8. The benefits that the alumni had from the bonding activities in their field trip

Chart 8 shows the benefits that the alumni had from the bonding activities in their field trip
to Cambodia and Thailand from 2013 2016. While the majority of alumni agreed that
they all gained the benefit of understanding each other better thanks to the trip, the
percentage of alumni claiming strengthening solidarity and resolving conflicts as the
benefits taken up 32% and 27% respectively. There are just 3% suggesting that alumni also
make friends with lots of people or merely gain no benefits from the trip.
 Chart 9. The problems faced by the alumni when taking the field trip

The horizontal bar chart above outlines the most common problems faced by the alumni
when taking the field trip. Most of the surveyors responsed that there were no difficulties
at all whereas financial problems stood out as the biggest problem with 39,3% of responses.
Health issues also needed to be notice with 15 alumni facing during the trip; both itinerary
troubles and family issues share the same proportion which is 17,9% and the rest are mostly
problems related to friendship and partners.

CONCLUSION

From analysis of the charts, it is evident that the field trip to neighboring countries (Cambodia and
Thailand) was reckoned as effective and useful experience by the evaluation of alumni: Most of
them gave the trip the highest scores which expressed their virtually full satisfaction. As regarding
scholarly sphere, the students learned a great deal of knowledge in cultural, social, political areas.
On the other hand, communication and teamwork were the two skills that a majority of students
had obtained and applied to their real life. In terms of the benefits that the field trip resulted in,
students tended to foster their relationship and intensify mutual understanding after the trip.
However, the field trip witnessed few drawbacks according to alumnis opinions. Quite a great
number of students said they had difficulty in financing the trip. In addition, itinerary seemed to
trouble many students who could not manage to fit the packed schedule. Some fall ill during the
trip and could not enjoy it until the end. Another point is that two alternative destinations
(Singapore and Malaysia) should be taken in to consideration.