Study Abroad Experience Brings Vietnamese Artisans’ Products to UT Haslam Conference

In early March, patchwork tote bags brimming with goodies were distributed to participants at the 2025 Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit held by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business’ Office of Access and Community Connections (OACC). Lovingly crafted by female artisans in Vietnam, these bags, in traditional UT colors, were a meaningful presence at the summit.

Learning About Vietnam While Performing Service

Over the 2025 winter break, Haslam’s International Programs and Study Abroad (IPSA) hosted its inaugural service-learning study abroad program in Vietnam. Open to any UT student, it exposed participants to Vietnam’s business, culture and community initiatives, providing them a firsthand look at Vietnam’s evolving economy and rich traditions. As one facet of the program, students partnered with Mekong Quilts, a social enterprise that empowers female artisans in the rural Mekong Delta. It is sponsored by the Ánh Dương Center, a local nonprofit that supports a wide range of community initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and improving living standards. Mekong Quilts sales not only provide income for the artisans but also help fund meaningful initiatives within their communities.

Participants spent four days collaborating with Mekong Quilts artisans to craft the custom tote bags commissioned for the summit. They engaged deeply with the women, learning how social enterprises can transform local economies. Kaeley Morton, a Knoxville native and senior accounting major with a collateral in finance and minor in sustainability, found working with the artisans especially meaningful.

“The experience gave me a deeper appreciation for their craft and the joy they find in collaborating to support their families,” Morton said. “It was beautiful to witness their passion firsthand, and it inspired me to shop more ethically and support local initiatives.”

Experiencing Vietnam’s Economy and Culture

IPSA’s first service-learning experience also offered hands-on sustainability and cultural projects, where students directly contributed to community development. Students learned the traditional craft of water hyacinth weaving, upcycled plastic bottles to create green spaces at a local primary school, visited a recycled plastic workshop and met a scholarship recipient of a program by the Ánh Dương Center.

Beyond their service work, students explored Vietnam’s storied history through cultural excursions. They completed a bike tour on Ánh Dương Center’s sustainable bamboo bikes, toured Ho Chi Minh city, visited the Marble Mountains and explored the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An.

Son N. Quang, a Ph.D. student in the Tickle College of Engineering’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, who is from Vietnam, chose to engage in Haslam’s first international service-driven experience because he was eager to participate in meaningful service in his home country while sharing the vibrancy of Vietnamese culture with his fellow Vols.

“Ironically, while I set out to ‘teach’ others about Vietnam, I ended up learning so much more about my home country through their eyes,” Quang said. “It was a humbling experience, and I realized that cultural exchange is a two-way street, where everyone learns and grows. It made me see Vietnam in a new light, and that was a valuable lesson.”

Sharing Learnings from the Vietnam Experience

OACC’s Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit not only was a chance to gift the bags students helped craft, but also, it was an opportunity for students to share their experiences in Vietnam. Four study abroad participants delivered a presentation on their service-learning project, explaining the need for economic development in Vietnam and showcasing the service learning, economic and cultural activities UT students undertook in the nation.

One of the presenters was Abbey Lin, a graduating senior in biochemistry from Chattanooga. She felt it was important to share the mission of the Ánh Dương Center with the summit attendees, so they could recognize its value and help those in need.

“I hope the stories of the women artisans working for Mekong Quilts inspire people to pursue their passions,” Lin said. “I want people to appreciate the true quality of items and be conscious of what companies they dedicate their money to. I also want to let people know about the beautiful culture of Vietnam in hopes they plan a future trip!”

A Multifaceted Study Abroad Experience

The Vietnam study abroad participants also learned the intricacies of business practices — from supply chain to entrepreneurship in a global setting — while gaining a broader understanding of Vietnamese culture, making Haslam’s first service-learning study abroad experience a truly well-rounded educational and cultural experience.

Sara Easler, Haslam’s assistant dean of International Programs and Partnerships, called the program impactful, saying, “It’s always rewarding to launch a program that you’ve spent so much time designing, but this one was special for so many reasons, not the least of which was the sincere dedication of the students to the project and the personal connections made with the women. Seeing our Vols in action, working long and hard in challenging physical environments with smiles on their faces, really embodied the Volunteer Spirit that we hope to extend globally. I look forward to continuing such a meaningful program opportunity next year and beyond.”

Main image: Study abroad experience participants pose with artisans and workers in front of the Mekong Quilts building. Sara Easler is in the lower left corner of the photo.

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CONTACT:

Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Contact

Scott McNutt

Business Writer/Publicist

rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Haslam College of Business - Study Abroad Experience Brings Vietnamese Artisans’ Products to UT Haslam Conference