College students to gain positive changes when participating in social activities

Nowadays, college students are joining several clubs in specialized subjects, hobbies, talents and volunteering that relate to different industries and cover from a university scale to an international scale. Some students are also participating in projects with realistic vision to bring direct impacts to the community.

Being involved in social activities, in any roles, students have the chance to step out of their comfort zones to work in a more professional environment; practice different soft skills such as interpersonal communication, group activities, leadership; and gain professional knowledge to be ready upon graduation. It is evident that joining student unions and doing projects help the young become more confident, more adaptable and more knowledgeable job seekers.

Over the past few months, 6 students from different universities in Hanoi have had the opportunity to gain their confidence, knowledge and leadership skills by participating in a project that aimed to enhance the wellbeing and working conditions for female workers. Throughout project implementation, they have been involved in the coordination and supervision of the group activities of female workers in Thanh Hoa.

Previously, these 6 students had participated in training sessions to perform the role of a collaborator. Topics covered during the training were: gender education, equality, project monitoring and evaluation,... These insights will have a long-term benefit to them.

The training activities are part of the "I am strong" project which is a collaboration of CARE International in Vietnam with VSF and other organizations. Halfway through the project, after the field trips with local female workers, our students (the collaborators) have got many positive changes.

The most outstanding improvement is attitudes and cognitive maturity. Students now realize the role of gender equality in the development of individuals, families and society. They have come to appreciate the perseverance of those women they met - who have undergone many hardships. They also learn to be more professional at work, in even small aspects such as being punctual, being prepared prior to activities and writing proper minutes of meeting.