Meeting friends, that is an interesting thing for us. Meeting new friends, that’s even more interesting. Meeting new friends from others continents in the U.S.; taking part in many interesting festivals, trips and communicative activities,… that’s the best thing we could imagine about. And of course, to learn about other countries’ culture, we must have specific knowledge about those countries. So now I’m starting writing about some of what I have known of those countries.

The first country I want to write about is the one in North America, the U.S., the host of our trip. The country is situated mostly in central North America, lies between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada and Mexico. The U.S. economy is the world's largest national economy.

The U.S. includes a wide variety of climate types due to its large size, and also range of geographic features. Extreme weather is not uncommon, the U.S. has more tornadoes than the rest of the countries of the world combined.

The U.S. entertainments are really famous all over the world. Actors like John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe have become iconic figures. Producer - entrepreneur, Walt Disney was a leader in both animated film and movie merchandising. Hollywood have produced the most commercially successful movies in history, such as: Star Wars, Titanic,… American pop stars like Michael Jackson - “King of pop”, Madonna - “Queen of pop”, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - “Princesses of pop”,… have become global celebrities.

Next, I want to introduce to you about Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, a country that located in both Asia and Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries and three seas. The country’s official language is Turkish. It’s capital is Ankara, while its biggest city is Istanbul. Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West through membership in organizations such as the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE and the G-20 major economies. Turkey's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes it a country of significant geostrategic importance. Given its strategic location, large economy and military strength, Turkey is a major regional power.

The next country I want to write about is a country in South America, having a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It was Chile, officially the Public of Chile. Its capital is Santiago, also the biggest city; and its official language is Spanish. Its climate varies, ranging from the Atacama Desert in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, to a rainy temperate climate in the south. Chile has a diverse range of wildlife due to its elongated shape, location and also its altitude. Chile’s really famous for the Easter Island. Today, Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations and a recognized middle power.

And the last country, my beloved homeland, Vietnam, officially Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam is on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China, Laos, Cambodia and the East Sea. Our capital is Hanoi, while the biggest city is Ho Chi Minh City - named after Uncle Ho, the beloved, pre-eminent leader of us and the whole world. My hometown, Hue, was the capital of Nguyen Dynasty.

Our country has a tropical monsoon climate, average relative humidity of 84-100% yearly. However, because of differences in latitude and topography, different climates tend to differ quite clear in each region.

Our country has a long history. Started with the Hong Bang Dynasty of Hung kings, went over more than a millennium under the control of Chinese, regained independence and went through a golden era of Ly and Tran Dynasties. Though the independence was interrupted by Chinese Minh, we reached our peak in the Later Le Dynasty. Although the prolonged wars made Vietnam a war-ravaged nation, the economy of Vietnam subsequently achieved rapid growth in agricultural and industrial production, construction and housing, exports and foreign investment.

After more than 2000 years of forming and developing, Vietnam has had the culture changes with the historical period, with the losing side but there are other aspects of culture added to the culture of modern Vietnam, making it being a well-built, unique and longstanding culture.

About this Global Mountain Theatre trip, I think that the sharing of culture (Western culture), although the origins were different, will make us being more sociable and easy to make a bond. The U.S. having been originally influenced by European cultures due to colonial ties with Britain that spread the English language and the other cultural inheritances, which had a formative influence. While Chile, since colonial times, its culture has been a mix of Spanish colonial elements and indigenous culture. Turkish culture is a product of efforts to be a modern Western state, while maintaining traditional religious and historical values. The Western culture of Vietnam was influenced through the Vietnam wars.

 

However, we’d love to share our own culture to others and learn about the unique and elegant culture of our friends countries. Via this trip, we can try other countries’ cuisines, hear music of them, take part in cultural activities and many festival (including the U.S. Independent Day), selling things, cooking, sailing, camping,... There are so many things awaiting us: The multicultural U.S. ; Turkey with its very diverse culture as a result of the encounter of Turks and their culture with those of the peoples who were in their path during their migration; A Latin American nation, Chile displaying its traditional Chilean culture of rural and agrarian origin, where horsemen, the Huasos of Central Chile, are the most emblematic symbol,... We - Vietnamese students will transmit our culture to friends from other countries. Our long heroic history; our rich cuisine of Bun, Pho (noodles dishes and noodles soup), kinds of cakes, rolls and wraps, sweet and pastries, …; our traditional Ao Dai (long dress) and Ao Tu Than (four-part dress); traditional music, ...

Thinking only already makes it so fantastic!

Taking part in the play last year brought me many experiences and they helped me a lot. In the last semester, our class held a comedy, in which I took the main role. Our group’s play was good, and our teacher gave us max points. I hope the next year trip will bring me even more experiences and knowledge, especially about other countries’ culture, contributing to fulfill my wish of being a diplomat. And I also hope that there will be more trips like this, so youths like us will have more chances to know about other countries also to share our unique culture to friends of other countries all around the world.

                           Me and my friends at my birthday party last year.

Every year, I hold a quiz game for my friends on my birthday and present it in PowerPoint and some other softwares. My friends really enjoy it.

One of my hobbies is making papercraft. I present them to my friends and make some for myself, too. I usually listen to music while making papercraft. I’m trying to listen and write down the lyrics of all the songs in my playlist. It’s a little bit hard job, though.

       This summer, I went to Dai Nam of Binh Duong Province. There were many animals in the zoo.