My Nonprofit Reviews

I went to Vietnam on a higher-education based humanitarian trip with Youthlinc and Utah State University. Before going on this trip, I'd been concerned about a humanitarian trip coming across as "white saviors." My experience was the opposite. Justin, our leader, not only had previously immersed himself in Vietnamese culture, but he felt it was important to get input from people who actually live there and represent their communities.

We were so lucky to have a group of Vietnamese translators accompany us on our journey. They were so helpful in truly understanding the diverse perspectives of the country as we mingled with locals in several locations and did our service-learning experiences by providing story-telling workshops at different schools.

We stayed with locals in several locations and were able to participate in several touristy — but incredible — experiences, such as hiking to the Phoenix Cave and wondering around Hanoi. In fact, it was an experience my next study abroad trip with the university (and not affiliated with Youthlinc) paled in comparison next to. Rather than the immersive experience I received in Vietnam, it felt more like poverty tourism.

Youthlinc gave me an experience well beyond my imagination. I went in not knowing what to expect and left dreaming of when I could return.