About Me

Xin Chào!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Ashley Quinlan and I am currently a junior at Loyola University Chicago where I study environmental science. Instead of spending this semester in Chicago, however, I've decided to study abroad in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!

Why Vietnam? Well, when I was started college, I knew that I wanted to study abroad if possible. As I began to look into the different programs, I had a few stipulations. I still wanted to be able to graduate in 4 years (meaning I wanted all of my classes to transfer) and was highly interested in taking classes related to my major. The more I looked into the programs, the more I realized I didn't really want to go to Europe. Instead, I was finding myself drawn to programs in more remote locations, such as Africa and Southeast Asia.

After looking at a lot of programs, I finally decided that going to one of Loyola's campuses would be my best bet. Although Loyola has three campuses abroad (Rome, China, and Vietnam), I chose Vietnam because it is located in Southeast Asia and because it's the only place I would be able to take a science class. The fact that there was a chance I could receive a scholarship didn't hurt either!

Many people ask what exactly I'll be doing in Vietnam, and the answer to that question is studying! I'm taking a full course load of 15 credits. I'll be taking environmental science, history, sociology, theology, and Vietnamese classes.

Since I was one of the recipients of the scholarship, I also get to do a research project while abroad related to an environmental issue. I've decided to do mine on the availability of clean drinking water.
Even though my classes and research project will keep me busy, I'll be trying to explore as much of the country as possible. Yay for no classes on Friday!

While I feel like I'm kind of heading into this adventure a little blind, I thankfully know a little bit about what is going on! I'll be living in a dorm at the Bach Khoa University Vietnamese with a fellow Loyolan but will be taking classes at Open University, which is about a 30 minute commute. Not too excited for that, but it will be fun to take a xe om. I also know that I will be partnered with a local Vietnamese student who takes classes at Bach Khoa. My partner student's name is Yến but she said it's okay if I call her Maria. She's studying environmental engineering so hopefully we have something in common!

Here's to a wonderful time in Vietnam and all of the memories that come with it!