Johnson, VT- Clear Path International joined efforts with national alternative college break program, Break Away, to take nine students, faculty and staff members from Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont to Vietnam for three weeks.

The group spent nearly two weeks in the Central city of Hue where they engaged in cultural immersion activities such as visits with local university students, community service projects with the Vietnamese Youth Union and even harvesting peanuts.

The final week of the trip was spent with issue specific learning about the landmine and bomb issue in Vietnam. The group traveled to Quang Tri Province and learned about the issue in depth through visits with local NGO’s Mines Advisory Group, Project Renew and time with the Clear Path International Vietnam staff. The group visited with several Clear Path International beneficiaries to learn first hand about the tragic reality of living with landmine and bomb injuries.

“The trip was an amazing opportunity for participants to learn first about the culture and people and then using that basic exposure to better understand the issue of landmines and bombs. The Break Away participants were perfect guests and we hope to take more groups in the future!” said Martha Hathaway, CPI Executive Director.

Founded in 1991, Break Away has coordinated and implemented hundreds of community service-oriented alternative college breaks programs throughout the nation. The trip to Vietnam represented a growing interest in taking Break Away international so that participants can greater understand the global community in which they live.

"Vietnam is a Country not a War" logo designed by Break Away Vietnam trip participant Elise Cope, 2004.