Students will earn a total of 2 credits of Marketing for participation, split into two parts:
*MARKETNG 365 (1 credit): Students will enroll in this course for Fall 2026. Enrollment is required for participation in the travel component of the program in January. Permission to enroll in the course will be given to students accepted in the program.
Meeting time: Wednesdays from 5:40-8:40 PM (October 19-December 9 only)
The fall course will meet once a week for part of the fall term, with the aim of preparing students with pre-departure readings, discussions, guest speakers and a start to their personal reflection. It will be a hybrid course with some content delivered online via Canvas and some content delivered in-person. This will include time in lectures & class meetings (in-person and online), presentations, tutorials, preparation, reading, studying, hands-on experiences, and other learning activities. A detailed syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
*MARKETNG 349 (1 credit): Students will automatically be awarded this credit after completion of the program's international component in January 2027. This course will appear on the transcript under the Spring 2027 term.
The in-country portion will enhance classroom knowledge with a mix of first-hand experiences including guest lectures from Vietnamese local entrepreneurs, academics, and non-profit leaders, and field study that includes day-trips, company visits, and community engagement. Samples of the program components are provided below.
Business Site Visits (tentative/examples)
Nha Be Garment Corporation, the largest garment company in HCMC
VinFast'sEVs
HALICO Beverage
Cultural Experiences (tentative/examples)
Curated walking exploration in the Binh Quoi area to learn about the "living culture" of today's Vietnam
Visit to Binh Tay Market
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Natre Dame Cathedral
War Remnants Museum
Hoan Kiem Lake
Le Thai To's Statue
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Hanoi Flag Tower
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Quan Thanh Temple
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Cua Bac Church
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
One Pillar Pagoda
Temple of Literature
Hao Lo Prison Relic
Museum of Vietnamese Women
Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Post Office
Day excursion to Ninh Binh Province
Program Leader
Kristin Branch
Kristin Branch
kristin.branch@wisc.edu
Kristin Branch worked for several years in corporate marketing in roles in brand management and product marketing before joining the UW. She has a passion for advocating for our marketing students, helping them discover and landing the career they desire through her work in the Marketing Leadership Institute (MLI).
The MLI connects marketers from industry to the Wisconsin School of Business and our students for win-win partnerships and learning opportunities.
Kristin earned her MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the School of Business in 2002.
Location
Not sure where Vietnam is? See Vietnam on a map.
Ho Chi Minh City, commonly referred to by its former name Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam. The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the eponymously-named Saigon River is the largest. As the largest financial center in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has the highest gross regional domestic product out of all Vietnam, contributing around a quarter of the countries total GDP.
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade.
Cost of living varies widely by location. Be sure to consult a variety of resources when researching cost of living.
Housing
During your time in Vietnam, you will stay in hotels with other UW-Madison program participants. You will share a room with another participant. Breakfast is included.
We typically place students in rooms with other students of the same sex. In some locations this is necessary for legal and cultural reasons. We understand that not all students may identify as female or male, and we want to create a welcoming environment for you while you are abroad. We are happy to work with students who identify as transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary regarding life abroad. If you have questions or concerns regarding housing as it relates to your gender identity, please contact your study abroad advisor.
Program Considerations
In a physical sense, the on-site experience may be very different from life on the UW campus. You may walk or take public transportation more than you are used to in Madison. The physical activity level will vary by program, but in general you should be prepared for extended periods of time walking, potentially on uneven terrain.
For many students, discovering and experiencing new foods is a part of the experience. It is important to consider any dietary restrictions, whether they are due to health conditions, religious beliefs, or individual needs, and look into whether you can get the foods you need locally.
How you identify yourself in Madison may differ from how people will view you on-site. Consider exploring our Identity Resources to reflect on how your identities may impact your experience. Students with disabilities should keep in mind that attitudes and laws related to disabilities vary by country, and these differences may impact the level of accommodation available in a particular location. More details are available on our page on Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities.
We encourage you to contact your Study Abroad Advisor and share your accommodation needs with us as early as possible. This will allow us to help you explore your options in advance.
On-Site Support
A UW-Madison program leader provides on-site support, and the program provider (Global Engagement Institute) will provide additional support in country.
Orientation
WSB expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. A pre-departure orientation will be scheduled with program leaders prior to departure. Once you arrive in Vietnam, you will attend a comprehensive on-site orientation led by on-site partners.
Visa
A tourist visa is required. US citizens must have a US passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. You will apply for your own visa, though study abroad staff will provide you with visa information. Non-US Passport holders may have different visa requirements. Ask your Study Abroad Advisor if you have any questions.
You may incur additional fees to expedite a visa application or to re-apply if your original visa application is rejected for any reason. You may also incur additional fees if your visa is delayed and you need to change your flight departure date.
Getting to Your Program
You will be responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from Vietnam using the dates provided after acceptance. In-country travel will be arranged and provided to the group. Insurance
If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and will remain/study in, or travel to your country of record (the location of your permanent residence), the insurance provided for you is the same as the “study away” insurance provided to U.S. citizens studying on domestic U.S. programs. You may want to explore alternative or additional international health and medical insurance that will cover your needs both while in and during any period of transit to/from your country of record. This may include participation in a national healthcare plan or coverage provided under a personal healthcare plan in your country of record. If you have questions about the coverage of the “study away” plan, please speak with your Study Abroad Advisor.
All other students participating on an international program will automatically be enrolled in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), the university's international health, medical and repatriation insurance policy.
Program cost information includes program fees, as well as out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Once accepted, you will receive a cost sheet that includes confirmed program fees and additional out-of-pocket expenses. "The IAP Program Fee" and all processes and policies stated on this cost sheet apply to all participants on programs managed by International Academic Programs (IAP) and in partnership with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and Wisconsin School of Business. All students participating on approved programs are all eligible to apply for scholarships administered through IAP when they meet the scholarship eligibility and selection criteria.
Winter Intersession 2026-27 Cost Details
Financial Aid
UW–Madison students can typically use their financial aid on UW–Madison study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programs. You need to complete a FAFSA if you want to be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid.
Beginning in 2026-27, the Office of Student Financial Aid will require all incoming undergraduate students to submit a CSS profile.
Review our financial aid and funding your experiences pages for more information.
Scholarships
Check out our scholarships page to find:
- A scholarship chart listing internal and external opportunities, with descriptions, deadlines, and amounts.
- Timelines of when UW-Madison study abroad scholarship applications open and close.
- Tips for writing scholarship essays.
Find scholarships
Returned Student Network
View the Returned Student Network to contact a returned student
Student Quotes
"Going to a Southeast Asian country showed me the tactics used in the markets, street vendors, and wholesale distribution to drive the efforts of it consumers, and bring that back to UW will alter how I look at marketing in sports and future business ventures." - 2025 participant
"I would recommend this program to other students because it was an extremely engaging and culturally immersive experience that provided a structured opportunity to experience Vietnam and Asian culture across the world - an opportunity that many people don't generally have. It is also a great opportunity for students to do a short term, more affordable study abroad experience compared to the majority of programs that are much more expensive and semester-long programs." - 2025 participant
"The cultural guides were amazing and made the trip feel authentic and amazing. There was a good balance of business and culture. It felt so safe and fun." - 2025 participant
How to Apply
In order to apply, students must submit a short essay answering the following prompt:
As a participant on the UW Global Experience in Marketing program to Vietnam, please describe the reasons for your interest in this program and what you hope to gain from participating. (2 paragraph maximum)
| Session |
Application Status |
| Winter Intersession 2026-27 |
Application Closed |
Disclosure
Students Requiring Accommodations: Consult and register with the McBurney Disability Resource Center McBurney Services if you will need academic, housing, and/or other disability-related accommodations or services abroad.
International Students: Talk with International Student Services about your visa status and study abroad.
Military-Connected Students with Veteran’s Benefits: Talk with University Veteran Services about how your benefits can be used for study abroad.
