FEU deligates visiting FPT University’s Ho Chi Minh Campus in Vietnam.
The International Relations Office (IRO) of Far Eastern University (FEU) introduces TamBound, a cross-border internationalization initiative designed to offer transformative global experiences to students. Launched in June 2024, TamBound represents FEU’s commitment to providing its students with opportunities for cultural exposure and international learning, aligning with the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) internationalization mandate (CMO 55 s. 2016).
TamBound immerses students in diverse cultures, languages, gastronomies, and many more through collaborations with FEU’s partner universities worldwide. The very first TamBound program sent two groups of students overseas to embark on a week-long journey of discovery and learning, each at a different partner institution.
One group of 17 students, accompanied by two faculty chaperones, visited FPT University’s Ho Chi Minh Campus in Vietnam. The program included cultural experiences through city tours, Vietnamese language, musical instrument, and martial arts classes, exploration of a local market, and local community immersion.
“[The unviersity’s] Vietnam immersion program has been a fantastic experience for me academically and personally. I was unsure what to expect, [it] being my first trip abroad, but the warm welcome from our Vietnamese buddies made it easy to connect [with them]. The responsive facilitators allowed us to voice our concerns, and FPT University sparked my interest in Vietnamese culture. A highlight was playing traditional instruments, which deepened my appreciation for the culture and helped me form friendships I wouldn’t have made otherwise,” said Joshua Auggie Lobaton, a Language and Literature Studies student.
A week after the Vietnam group’s visit to FPT, 16 students also with two faculty chaperones, flew to Far East University in Chungbuk, South Korea. Their week-long immersion was highlighted with a campus tour, a Korean cuisine experience, an authentic Korean food escapade, pottery class, and explorations of Seoul and its surrounding cities. This immersive experience offered the students a comprehensive view of Korean life, both traditional and contemporary.
“The TamBound South Korea program wasn’t a typical cultural experience; it provided a deep dive into what life is really like in South Korea. Meeting the FEU Korea president was a memorable highlight and exploring culturally significant sites and wearing Hanbok added to the richness of the experience. I returned to FEU Manila with cherished memories and insights that far exceeded my expectations,” said Erika Abadiano, a BS Psychology student.
The IRO is set to continue offering this program annually, with the next TamBound scheduled for the Midyear Term of 2025. Future iterations will see FEU students heading to other countries where partner universities are located, ensuring a broad and diverse range of cultural experiences.
Students interested in participating in TamBound are encouraged to follow the Facebook page of the IRO at fb.com/FEUInternationalRelations for updates and application details.