One of the most powerful moments for many was the XO Foodie tour, where young Vietnamese women guided them by moped through local neighborhoods, culminating in a visit to the childhood home of their guide. In a cramped apartment where fourteen people once slept, the students saw a powerful example of gratitude and generosity. Despite hardships, the community cared for its own, making space for the homeless and finding joy in shared simplicity. This spirit of togetherness and resilience struck deeply, inspiring the students to rethink their own definitions of abundance and happiness.

Business visits gave the group a window into Vietnam’s fast-evolving economy. At Cargill, a visit set up by Joe Wedl, they witnessed advanced automation and learned how global giants impact local communities by funding schools and jobs. At Namagro, a visit set up by Will Meilander, they heard from an entrepreneur who built a thriving spice brokerage by spotting gaps in the market. At Everfit, they saw a startup, launched by E-Scholar alum Long Nguyen, using Vietnam’s tech talent and low labor costs to scale globally driven by passion, grit, and constant adaptation. These encounters taught them about innovation, supply chains, cultural nuances in negotiation, and the importance of staying ahead of industry trends.

Yet, the trip wasn’t just about learning; it was about personal transformation. Alvaro Caballero honed his negotiation skills in the markets, discovering the art of the “lowball.” Parker Brown, who had once doubted his ability to lead or step outside his comfort zone, found new confidence in himself. T’nya Butler realized the depth of her empathy, moved to tears by the kindness of people who had so little yet gave so much. Tom Odenthal saw new entrepreneurial opportunities and dreamed of applying lessons from Vietnam’s logistics to businesses back home. Will Meilander deepened his connection not just with the country, but with his own classmates, learning the value of both planning and adaptability..

The students returned home with more than just souvenirs—they carried back new perspectives on global business, culture, leadership, and their own identities. Vietnam, with its layers of history, complexity, and warmth, had left its mark on each of them. As they stepped back onto familiar soil, they knew they were not the same people who had nervously boarded that flight weeks before.

Paul Marsnik, founder of the CSB/SJU E-Scholars program, reflected on the history of the annual trip to Asia:

“Our first international E-Scholars trip was in 2005—we went to China. For me and the students, it was near total chaos. Nothing made sense, and just about everything that could go wrong, did. But somehow, we managed to embrace the ambiguity of it all and got through it.”

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E-Scholars traveled to China every year through 2019. After COVID, we shifted to Vietnam. This year marked my fourth trip to Vietnam with students.

People often ask me, ‘Why China? Why Vietnam?’ I tell them the number one criterion in choosing a destination is: Will it push travelers far out of their comfort zone? Both China and Vietnam score very high on the out-of-comfort-zone scale. And when people get out of their comfort zone, that’s when the greatest learning takes place.

For example, after the trip, students will often say something like, ‘If I can set up and execute a business visit with a total stranger in Saigon, Hanoi, or Da Nang, I can do just about anything.’

That’s what the trip is all about: building confidence, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing ambiguity.”