Buffalo State to Launch Vietnam Study Abroad Program
Students will head to Vietnam in June 2027 as part of an expansion of the university's long-running Anne Frank Project.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Language Learning
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Buffalo State University is expanding its global education reach by adding new study abroad programs in Vietnam and Kenya. The first cohort of students is scheduled to participate in the Vietnam program in June 2027.
Why it matters
These programs aim to foster empathy and social responsibility by examining conflict resolution in international settings. The expansion serves as a direct response to student demand for broader global education opportunities.
The Anne Frank Project has successfully taken more than 200 students to Rwanda since its 2011 inception. Professors spent five days in March 2026 assessing the feasibility of the new Vietnam partnership.
The players
Anne Frank Project
This Buffalo State University initiative focuses on using storytelling and education to examine conflict resolution and social responsibility.
Drew Kahn
He is a professor at Buffalo State University who helped lead the assessment of the new international study program.
Gehan Senthinathan
He is a professor at Buffalo State University who participated in the March 2026 site assessment trip to Vietnam.
The details
The Vietnam program features a collaborative semester course where Buffalo State students work with peers at a Vietnamese university. The experience concludes with an in-person trip where students present joint projects, with all international travel requiring pre- and post-trip coursework.
Timeline
The Anne Frank Project established its Rwanda program in 2011.
Buffalo State professors conducted an assessment trip to Vietnam in March 2026.
Applications for the Vietnam trip open in November 2026.
The first student cohort will travel to Vietnam in June 2027.
Culture Shift
This program expansion reflects the growing shift toward experiential, empathy-based global education within higher learning. It mirrors a broader societal trend where students increasingly prioritize immersive learning models that directly address historical conflict resolution.
Students at the university can begin preparing for the 2027 trip by reviewing course requirements and application deadlines this coming November. Participation in these programs requires completion of both pre-travel and post-travel coursework to earn credit.
The takeaway
Students looking to broaden their academic experience should prioritize early engagement with faculty-led global initiatives. Developing cross-cultural empathy through collaborative coursework serves as a significant asset for future professional and social development.
What happens next
Recruitment and application processes for the 2027 Vietnam study abroad program are scheduled to begin in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local opportunities for global growth in our Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Buffalo News.
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