Missouri Southern State University has designated Vietnam as its featured country for the fall 2026 semester, continuing its established tradition of global cultural exploration. The university’s annual fall theme encourages immersive learning opportunities across campus, encompassing both academic courses and study abroad programs dedicated to the chosen nation. This initiative, which began in 1997, aims to broaden students' perspectives through engagement with diverse cultures.
An early group of MSSU Honors students, including Matt Williams, recently completed a trip to Vietnam, providing a preview of the upcoming focus. They explored the country’s artistic influence alongside Frank Pishkur, department chair and professor in Art and Design. The group traveled through Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and the Ninh Binh province, gaining firsthand experience with Vietnamese culture. Williams reflected on the journey, stating that the experiences encouraged him to attempt things "he would have never attempted in America." He emphasized the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone, noting moments such as eating raw squid from Halong Bay and admiring My Khe Beach. Williams also shared that he "loved just exploring a place new to me," appreciating the spontaneity of local interactions and describing them as "pure hospitality and kindness at every juncture."
For the fall 2026 semester, select courses across various disciplines, including Kinesiology, English, and History, will offer connecting study abroad trips to Vietnam. Communications professor Maddy Langley will lead one such course through her KGCS-TV Practicum. Students enrolled in this program will develop a short documentary about Marian Days, an annual Vietnamese-focused festival held in Carthage, Missouri. Langley explained that students would gather video and interviews from this year’s event to produce a short documentary, which will be featured as part of the fall Vietnam film series.
Langley also noted that the study abroad component of her course aims to highlight technological similarities between MSSU and locations in Vietnam. She expressed her hope for students to visit the Sparx virtual studio, a 3D gaming and animation facility in Vietnam. This studio, Langley stated, utilizes the same software employed in MSSU’s KGCS-TV studio spaces, offering communication students a practical look at shared industry tools on a global scale.
Students interested in participating in the Vietnam-themed semester or seeking information about study abroad opportunities are encouraged to contact Dr. Becca Shriver for further details. The university's commitment to international engagement aims to broaden students' academic and cultural applications globally.
