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Whitaker Chronicles ACE Program Vietnam Experience
7/20/2016 10:52:00 AM | Volleyball
VIETNAM – Duke senior Alyse Whitaker traveled to Vietnam the past three weeks as part of the inaugural class of the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) Program.
The ACE program provides one-time funding for student-athletes to engage in a three-week international service project. In total, 21 student-athletes from Duke and 19 from Stanford participated in the inaugural ACE programs.
Whitaker is one of five student-athletes who traveled to Vietnam June 30 to July 24. The ACE in Vietnam program was organized by Coach for College and Thrive Networks in conjunction with ACE. Student-athletes arrived June 30 and lived alongside an equal number of Vietnamese college students who also volunteered for the program. The U.S. and Vietnamese college students worked together to teach academics, sports and life skills to middle school youth in under resourced areas of Vietnam with a focus on mentorship and promoting higher education.
Whitaker and her fellow participants taught Monday through Thursday, while Friday served as competition day in which teams are tested on what they learned and had the opportunity to compete in various sports.
“Participating in the ACE program is very important to me,” Whitaker said. “It is an amazing opportunity to continue doing what I love – teaching and coaching – in another country. I think going to Vietnam gives me more experience and a better understanding of other cultures while helping students in Vietnam learn more about our culture.
Throughout the experience, Whitaker and her fellow ACE participants have documented their travels via blog.
After returning to the United States at the end of July, Whitaker is set to rejoin the Blue Devils in preparation for the 2016 season, which kicks off Aug. 26.
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