Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program students travel to Vietnam
Ten Bennies and Johnnies traveled abroad over break to meet with entrepreneurial leaders and immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture. Students in the E-Scholars program learn to design and implement a business venture in a three-semester program.
Over winter break, 10 CSB+SJU students traveled to Ho Chi Minh City and Danang in Vietnam for two weeks as part of the Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program.
The students are part of the 19th Entrepreneur Scholars program, launched in 2004 by Paul Marsnik, the current academic director of the program. The E-Scholars program consists of three 2-credit courses, with their annual trip occurring between the second and third semesters of the course. In preparation for the trip, students spent time in class discussing and learning about Vietnam. In addition to the class, students are tasked with reaching out to business leaders and seeking other potential entrepreneurial learning experiences. With the aid of the internet, as well as alumni and former E-Scholars participants, students were able to set up meetings with a variety of businesses and owners, including 3M, a representative from the European Climate Foundation, consultants, directors and a tech company founder.
The success of the program is due in part to alumni and previous E-Scholars, who recognize the value of this cultural immersion. Several CSB and SJU graduates provided on-the-ground guidance, helping students navigate the city and enjoy a rich experience. Additionally, donations help fund student travel and dining.
A major facet of the trip is about pushing students outside of their comfort zone. Marsnick emphasized that beyond the entrepreneurial aspect of the trip, it is really an opportunity to become comfortable with discomfort. Through this discomfort, students learn to embrace and overcome challenges.
“Paul Marsnick always would encourage us to embrace ambiguity at all cost…This trip was embracing ambiguity to its fullest, being placed in a non-western environment where people look different from you, people speak a different language than you. It can be intimidating,” SJU senior Liam Miller said.
Emma Gronholz, a CSB senior, also remarked on some lessons from the trip that she will take with her beyond business ventures.
“I learned how to go with the flow… learning how to be patient and work with others is a skill you get good at on these experiences,” Gronholz said.
One memory from the trip was a student cooking class which went far beyond the four walls of a kitchen. The class brought them into local markets and onto fishing boats, preparing a meal from start to finish. Though E-Scholars is viewed by many as a program for those with business interests, Marsnick hopes to change that narrative.
“The program is for anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset—seeing opportunities and making things happen.” Marsnick said. “It is a program for any discipline.”
Miller echoed Marsnick, encouraging students to apply for the program.
“I’ve seen what it has done for other people before me, and I’ve seen what it has done for my peers, including myself,” Miller said.
