From a 5-Minute Impulse to a Life-Changing Journey in Vietnam

A seemingly spontaneous decision opened the door to a life-changing adventure and a “second home” in Vietnam for a Scottish student.

Ten Years of Passion, Five Minutes of Impulse

James Prentice, a final-year student in International Tourism and Events Management at Glasgow Caledonian University, has spent nearly a decade pursuing his passion for the hospitality and tourism industry.

Yet as graduation approached, he found himself at a crossroads. Staying in Scotland to work seemed the easy choice, but deep down, he longed for something more: a breakthrough experience beyond the familiar. For ten years, James had dreamed of becoming an expert in tourism and hospitality, but he didn’t want to settle for a predictable path in well-known surroundings.

Opportunity struck unexpectedly in January 2024, when he came across an internship post offering a 6–12-week placement in Vietnam under the Work Experience Programme by the British University Vietnam (BUV). Within just five minutes of reading about this sole internship slot, James hit “Apply.”

“It was a spontaneous, risky, and curious decision,” James recalled.

A Scottish man falls for Vietnam

Skeptics doubted whether he would really travel to a faraway Southeast Asian country he had only seen on the map. But undeterred, James packed his curiosity and adventurous spirit to explore a fast-growing tourism market in Vietnam, unaware that his five-minute decision would redirect a decade of passion and ultimately change his life.

A Life-Changing Internship

Through BUV’s connection, James began a three-month internship at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Hanoi.

He worked as a guide and host for international visitors, interacting with tourists while learning about Vietnam’s thousand-year-old heritage and the powerful role of tourism in preserving and promoting cultural values.

“Working in an environment that blends tourism and education was truly amazing. I didn’t just learn about the profession — I learned how to connect people through culture,” James said.

Those three months transformed him: sharpening his adaptability, communication, and time management skills. More importantly, they reignited his confidence and passion for the field, as he realized Vietnam’s tourism sector offered boundless opportunities for international graduates.

“Working in Vietnam is unlike anywhere else. You can look at thousands of pictures online, but only when you come here do you truly feel the warmth and the incredible opportunities this country offers,” he affirmed.

Outside of work, James immersed himself in Vietnam’s vibrant life — from tropical weather and mid-day office naps to what he fondly described as “the organized chaos” of Hanoi’s traffic.

“Every day brought something new and fascinating. I felt thrilled to be part of it,” he said. “Above all, it was the friendliness and hospitality of the people that made me feel truly at home.”

His internship not only gave him professional clarity but also a renewed sense of purpose. In fact, the experience was so meaningful that James missed his graduation ceremony back home: a trade-off he said was “absolutely worth it.”

Selling His Car to Return to Vietnam

Back in Scotland, James resumed his university support job and part-time café work. But the longing to return to Vietnam kept growing.

“That period helped me reflect deeply on my career direction,” he shared. “I didn’t want Vietnam to be just a memory. I wanted to come back — this time with a clearer purpose.”

Determined, he began reaching out to tourism companies in Vietnam via LinkedIn to explore job opportunities. Finally, he made a bold move: selling his car to fund his return trip.

“Many advised me to stay in Scotland, but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted,” he smiled.

James (white shirt, second from the right) participating in a tree-planting activity with exchange students at BUV.

Now back in Vietnam, James is a Sales and Marketing Intern at Authentic Asia, a tour operator specializing in destinations across Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. He is learning Vietnamese, seeking long-term opportunities, and serving as an ambassador promoting BUV’s programme and the image of Vietnam to other international students.

He credits BUV’s International Office for providing invaluable support, from business connections and paperwork guidance to cultural immersion activities, all of which inspired him to help other international students discover their own opportunities and passions in Vietnam.

“If someone asks me whether they should come to Vietnam, my answer is always: just do it, you won’t regret it,” James said.

Like James, the Culture Immersion and Work Experience Programmes in Vietnam with BUV have opened new opportunities for many international students. Recently, a UK student received a part-time job offer in New York, USA, immediately after completing her internship in Vietnam.

“This perfectly embodies the spirit of BUV’s Work Experience Programme,” said Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Head, International Mobility and Partnerships at BUV. “It provides international students not only with valuable internships but also with the chance to learn, explore, and connect within one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, as well as the global market.”