Hey y’all, I’m Andrew Leon, a Dallas native and sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh triple-majoring in finance, global management, and marketing. I aim to build a career in corporate or private banking with an international focus, either working abroad or managing global client portfolios.

This past summer, I traveled to Ho Chi Minh City through the Plus3: Vietnam program. Having never visited Asia, I chose Vietnam to challenge my perspectives, move beyond Vietnam War-era narratives, and experience a country that has rebuilt itself into a dynamic market despite historic hardship. Before departing, I set out to understand how local citizens view Americans, how modern Vietnamese reality contrasts with Western portrayals, and how the nation prospers in the shadow of competing global superpowers.

We stayed in the city center with our program partners at the University of Economics and Finance (UEF). My roommate was my friend Chris, whom I previously traveled with on the Haller Global Honors Fellowship in Ireland. Coming from Dallas, I thought I understood big cities, but Saigon’s density and energy were on another level. The hospitality from UEF student ambassadors was incredible, and the strength of the U.S. dollar made high-quality local food and transit remarkably accessible. A typical ride-hailing trip across town cost under $5, and full meals were rarely more than $6.

During our site visits to major logistics hubs, ports, and corporate headquarters, I saw how Vietnam positions itself within global supply chains. Conversations with local business leaders and UEF students revealed a forward-looking population focused on economic growth, tech adoption, and international trade rather than past conflicts. The Vietnamese people welcomed us with immense warmth, proving that popular Western stigmas fail to capture the reality of modern Saigon.

Experiencing this rapid growth firsthand reinforced my passion for global finance. Understanding how emerging markets navigate trade, foreign investment, and economic transformation is essential for the career I want to build. Plus3: Vietnam not only broadened my cultural perspective but also gave me practical insights into cross-border business that I will carry forward into my studies at Pitt and my future career in international banking.