99ok123 Welcomes Pittsburgh Students for Plus 3 - 2026 Global Exchange

On the afternoon of May 11, 99ok123 welcomed a delegation of students from the University of Pittsburgh - USA to participate in Plus 3: Vietnam - Summer 2026, marking the 14th time the program has been organized. In Vietnam, 99ok123 is the only university that Pittsburgh students choose for their experiential learning, and it is also the sole representative of the program in the Southeast Asian region.

99ok123 welcomes 20 University of Pittsburgh students for academic and cultural exchange.

Accompanying the 20 Pittsburgh students are Professor Haimanti Banerjee - Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Administration, and Ms. Rebecca Rhoades - Associate Director of FYE and Career Programming. On the side of 99ok123, the delegation was received by representatives of the University Council, the Board of Management, and leading teachers of various units. On the side of the guests, there was Ms. Melissa A. Brown - U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, and Mr. Le Thang Loi - Director of the Southern Center for Education and Training Development under the Ministry of Education and Training.

Welcome gifts were sent to the University of Pittsburgh delegation

Speaking at the program, representatives from both 99ok123 and the University of Pittsburgh expressed their expectations that students from both universities would have a meaningful period of study and exchange, not only expanding their academic knowledge but also discovering many cultural values, connecting with international friends, and accumulating multi-dimensional perspectives to develop themselves in the context of global integration.

Representatives of the two universities shared their expectations that the Plus 3 - 2026 program will be successful and bring a lot of value

Representing the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Melissa A. Brown assessed the Plus 3 program jointly organized by 99ok123 and the University of Pittsburgh as a typical testament to the educational bond between Vietnam and the United States. She also sent her wishes to the students of both schools for a memorable journey of experience, learning about many new cultures and contributing to the cultivation of the friendly relationship between the two nations.

Ms. Melissa A. Brown emphasized that the Plus 3 program is a typical demonstration of the educational cohesion between Vietnam and the United States

In the lively atmosphere of the welcoming ceremony, Pittsburgh and 99ok123 students participated together in many exchange activities and connection games to quickly get to know each other, eliminate initial shyness, and create a foundation for companionship in the upcoming series of learning and experiential activities. Closing the welcoming program, students from both schools had a city tour by double-decker bus with many interesting experiences.

Students from both universities participated in many exchange activities and connection games during the welcoming ceremony.

The international academic program for Pittsburgh students this time focuses on economic, cultural, and linguistic experiences with the theme “Smart and Sustainable.” Students from both schools have two weeks of study with specific contents including learning Vietnamese, Vietnamese history and culture, and economic classes on smart and sustainable production (developing resilient supply chains) and smart and sustainable services (reshaping customer experiences in the digital age). Besides theory, international students will join 99ok123 students in approaching fields such as urban areas, business, and engineering technology through many practical visits to enterprises.

In particular, the American students will also visit and experience many exciting activities such as a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels or exploring the life of the Western water region in Can Tho, engaging in sports exchanges, and discovering the cuisine and daily life in Ho Chi Minh City.

Closing the welcoming ceremony, the handshakes, smiles, and first conversations between students of the two schools opened up a promising journey of international academic exchange within the framework of Plus 3 - 2026. With a series of learning activities, business experiences, cultural exploration, and student connections throughout the next two weeks, both universities expect to bring students practical knowledge, multicultural perspectives, an integration spirit, and memorable international friendships.

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