Unpacking the Study Abroad Experiences of Faculty Members in Vietnam: Connections with Education, Research, and University Management Activities

Vietnam as a nation has long viewed the study abroad experiences and its higher education system as crucial to building human capital and for national development, as evident in the post-Doi Moi higher education policy reforms in recent decades. Despite such national efforts, faculty members’ study abroad outcomes are yet to be assessed in depth. The chapter reveals statistically significant differences between the study abroad (SA) and study at home (SH) groups in terms of impact on education, research, and management activities. The SA group made notable contributions, particularly in innovating education modules and expanding international education activities. In terms of research, the research skills and methodologies acquired while studying abroad enabled them to be more productive through research outputs. Moreover, university management was impacted by their SA experiences through the choices of strategies employed once they returned to Vietnamese universities. Conversely, some participants experienced adverse impacts on career development once back in Vietnam, such as reverse culture shock. Overall, the chapter demonstrates the positive contribution of SA to knowledge, skills, and value development in cultivating human capital for national development, as intended by national policies and programs since the Doi Moi era.