UWC Short course: Doing Good

July 2025

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Doing Good: A UWC Short Course is the first summer program of its kind in Vietnam, aiming to inspire and equip high school students with the tools to Do Good in the real world.

Doing Good is rewarding—but it’s also challenging.

How much good is enough? Why do we sometimes feel like we've failed to do good, even when we've tried? Who can keep us inspired and motivated to continue? And what exactly counts as “work”—an ambitious project or a simple act of kindness?

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Doing Good: A UWC Short Course is a 2.5-week program in Binh Dinh, Vietnam, where students from different parts of the world the come together to explore, reflect, and challenge perspectives on Doing Good, and engaging with local communities. Students who complete a UWC Short Course will become part of the international UWC community - and will leave with new friendships, new perspectives, new skills, and a renewed passion in making a positive impact in the world.

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In the end, it all comes down to the two guiding questions we seek to explore together:

What is good work?

How do we do it?

Project objectives

By the end of the course, students will:

☑ Develop a deeper understanding of good work concepts

☑ Cultivate confidence and assurance in your efforts to create positive impact

☑ Find renewed inspiration and motivation to contribute meaningfully

☑ Connect with a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to doing good

☑ Immerse in the rich local culture and impactful initiatives in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh

Skills gained

Design Thinking

Communication

Critical Thinking

Reflection

Curriculum

5 DAYS | JULY 7-11

Understanding Good Work in Your World

In this interactive online week, students will identify what "doing good" means and practice good work in their local contexts. Through individual and team activities, they will reflect, challenge assumptions, and share insights in online group discussions.

By the end of the Online Component, they will develop a deeper understanding of good work and a list of thought-provoking questions to explore throughout the In-person Component of the program.

10 days | July 13-23

Understanding Good Work Beyond Your World

The In-Person Component invites students to explore beyond their world and gain new perspectives on what it means to do good across diverse cultural and ethical landscapes, especially within Binh Dinh’s vibrant local communities.

Guided by facilitators and driven by the questions they developed during the Online Component, students will explore the Good Work framework and gain practical tools to create meaningful impact to their home communities.

Offline

Project Plan Development

Students will explore the Good Work framework, emphasizing excellence, ethics, and engagement in their work. Through sessions and structured reflection, they’ll develop critical thinking, ethical awareness, and strategies for meaningful action. Activities are collaboratively designed to align with program goals.

Ferequently asked question

Is this program affiliated with UWC?

Yes, Doing Good is officially a UWC Short Course. We have received endorsement by UWC International and have completed trainings to uphold the standards of a UWC program. Information about the Short Course can be found on the UWC website.

Who are the organisers and facilitators of the program?

Doing Good: A UWC Short Course is a collaboration between the short course's organizers and Outward Bound Vietnam, with consultation and program adaptation from The Good Project, founded by Harvard Graduate School of Education.   

Throughout the program, students will be supported daily by a team of 6-8 facilitators coming from different cultural and geological backgrounds. Our group of facilitators includes dedicated educators and experiential education enthusiasts. Each member contributed their own perspective, expertise, and energy, creating a dynamic and enriching learning environment.

When does the Short Course begin and end?

Doing Good is a hybrid program happening primarily in Binh Dinh, Vietnam from July 7 to July 23, 2025.   

July 7-11, 2025: Students spend the first week of the program getting acquainted with facilitators and familiarizing themselves with the course materials via an online curriculum.  

July 12-13, 2025: Travel Days (arrival in Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh, Vietnam, will be on July 13).

July 13-23, 2025: Students will meet in Binh Dinh and participate in a series of offline activities, such as physical activities, site visits, volunteer, and workshops to experience real-world applications of Doing Good.

How do I determine if I am eligible for the Short Course?

Eligible applicants must be born between July 24, 2007 and December 31, 2010 to fit our 15-17 age criteria as of July 7, 2025;

As the program will be conducted entirely in English, students should have a good command of the English language;

Students are healthy and can participate in outdoor activities;

Students coming from abroad should have a valid passport and visa to enter and stay in Vietnam for the entire duration of the program;

If I was born in the year 2006 but before July 18th, 2006, can I join the program?

No. The student must not have legally turned 18 for the duration of the Short Course.

If I am 14 years old, can I join the program?

If you have not turned 15, but were born in the year 2010, you are eligible. If you were born between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, we will consider your application on a case-by-case basis, depending on the demonstrated maturity and compatibility with the program.

What level of English is required to participate in the program?

As the program will be conducted entirely in English, students should have a good command of the English language (Intermediate or Advanced speaking, writing, listening and reading skills).

What are the application components?

All students should complete the Application Form.

Students who are applying for financial aid must fill out the financial aid section of the application.

While filling the Application Form, students will be required to complete a medical form from Outward Bound Vietnam, Doing Good 2025's official partner.

Is the Short Course application only available in English?

Yes, applications for the Doing Good: A UWC Short Course must be completed in English.

What is the application deadline?

Application Period: February 28 – March 31, 2025

Application Deadline: 11:59 PM, March 31, 2025 (GMT+7, Vietnam time). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

How much does the Short Course cost?

Doing Good tuition fee is $2050. This fee covers airport transfers in Vietnam, meals, accommodation and excursions, but not flights and medical insurance.

Does the program offer financial aid/scholarships to students?

Yes, both full and partial financial aid packages are offered on a limited basis to participants.

The financial aid can be applied to the program tuition, but NOT to the costs of transportation to/from the course or medical insurance.

When is the deadline for tuition payment?

Tuition is due on May 2, 2025, 23:59 Vietnam time (GMT+7) for admitted students. Failure to submit payment on time will cause the release of the participant's placement to other qualifying participants on the program’s waitlist.

Is it possible to join the Short Course for only part of the program?

No, all students admitted are expected to participate in the whole Short Course. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept participants who can only attend part of the program.

How do parents/guardians keep in touch with students during the program?

Students are allowed to use electronic devices at specific times of the day. We encourage parents/guardians to check in with their child during these off times. Parents/guardians may also contact the organizing team at any point during the program if they need to get in touch with their child urgently.

How do participants get to and from the campsite?

Students are expected to arrive in Binh Dinh via Phu Cat International Airport (UIH) on Sunday, July 13 2025.

Free airport transfers will be available to take students from the airport to the campsite (Outward Bound Vietnam). Students’ dormitory and the campsite is a 37-minute drive from the airport.

On July 23, 2025, students are transported back to Phu Cat International Airport (UIH) to catch their flights home.

Short Course’s organizers and facilitators will be present at all times during pick-ups and drop-offs.

Please explain more about the dormitory facilities for the Short Course.

The Outward Bound Vietnam campsite consists of dormitories, classrooms, dining halls, and activities areas for our students. There is also a living room/seminar area provides communal space for students to study and relax together.

The sleeping areas are single-sex (male and female participants are housed separately), with four to five participants sharing each room. Short Course's Facilitators will also live on site and will be available to assist participants at all times.

How are roommates assigned? What are the housing options? Are ‘single’ rooms available for students?

All students will live in single-sex blocks. Students will be mixed by age, grade and nationality. We seek to encourage cross-cultural understanding through interaction, and thus students will not be permitted to have single rooms, and most students will have up to four roommates.

Can you describe the food plan and the costs involved? Will students be able to get vegetarian or special meals?

For safety reasons, students are not allowed to bring outside food and snacks onto the camp premises. All meals and snacks will be prepared at Outward Bound Vietnam kitchen and meal costs are included in the program fee. If students have special dietary restrictions, please make sure to include this formation in the OBV Form attached within the Application Form or send us an email at doinggood@uwc.vn.

What will happen in the case of an illness or injury?

There will be an on-site nurse who is available to tend to the student at all times during the 10-day program. Lead program organizers have undergone UWC-quality safety trainings to ensure they are able to assist participants in case of an emergency.  

We also d the nearest medical centers from the campsite: Nhon Ly Commune Medical Clinic (27km from OBV), An Nhon District Medical Center (35km from OBV), Binh Dinh Provincial General Hospital (40km from OBV), Quy Nhon City Hospital (40km from OBV), Military 13 Hospital (41,8km from OBV). In the case of an injury or if a student falls ill, there will be staff available to take the student to the hospital.

Can participants use a cell phone during the program?

There will be specific hours during the day when students are permitted to use electronic devices. However, during camp activities, lessons, and excursions time, we will enforce a strict no-electronics policy.

Can students bring their own computer or tablet? / Do students have to bring their own computer or tablet?

Students might need to use a computer or a tablet for some parts of the curriculum. Students should bring their own devices and are responsible for the safekeeping of all their belongings. The program organizers will not be held accountable for any items lost or stolen.

Do students need to bring extra spending money?

Aside from on-site activities, students will have the chance to go on excursions around Binh Dinh province and might want to purchase souvenirs. Students are responsible for the safekeeping of all their personal belongings throughout the duration of the program

Under what circumstances could the Short Course be canceled?

Doing Good: A UWC Short Course might be canceled if there are risks of a natural disaster or other unforeseeable events that make it unsafe to hold the program.

What happens if the Short Course is canceled?

If Doing Good: A UWC Short Course cancels the program, we will refund your full tuition.

What happens if the student cancels their attendance?

Participants receive a full refund if canceling before May 7, 2025 (11:59 PM GMT+7, Vietnam). Cancellations after this date will not be refunded.Please email us at doinggood@uwc.vn to to inform your cancellation.