Society often frames the idea of being abroad within a few vibrant postcards, leaving Cuba as nothing more than the colors of vintage cars and the rhythm of music on a sunlit porch. The talk show “Cross-Cultural Integration: What Can Gen Z Learn from Cuba?” thus opened as an invitation to look beyond such stereotypes to see a country with more patient eyes: noticing new layers of paint on old walls, kindness embedded in the greeting “Mi casa es tu casa”, and above all, the dignity of community resilience amid limited resources.
In early October 2025, the talk show “Cross-Cultural Integration: What Can Gen Z Learn from Cuba?” attracted nearly 300 UEH students. The program featured two inspiring guest speakers author and travel blogger Dinh Hang, and author and speaker Vu Hai Truong who brought their firsthand experiences from a nation “on the other side of the world.” Their stories offered not a rigid, academic lecture, but a lively, down-to-earth journey of cultural discovery one that was relatable, authentic, and thought-provoking.
Through the personal anecdotes shared by the speakers, Cuba appeared not as a distant symbol but as a mirror reflecting the meaning of resilience and humanity. Their simple yet profound observations revealed that “wealth” and “poverty” are not just measured by numbers, but by the strength of connections, the ability to share and support, and the creativity born out of limitation.
From the story of an old car running faithfully through Havana’s streets to the habit of “patching” available resources, UEH students learned what could be called a distinctly Cuban capacity: to do more with less, to make things work even when resources are scarce.
These were not mere travel impressions, but a mindset for engaging with the world: calm, practical, and richly imaginative.
Real-life scenarios were explored and analyzed from multiple perspectives, helping participants see themselves within the broader picture of international integration and collaboration.
Most importantly, the talk reminded everyone of their role and responsibility within a diverse community. Integration does not stand in opposition to identity; instead, it enriches it with new dimensions.
The talk show ended, but its echoes lingered as participants stepped out of the hall, walking a little slower, noticing the people before them a bit more, turning down the social media noise to make room for a real conversation, a page read carefully, or a moment of self-reflection:
What invisible boundaries have we unconsciously built in the way we see others?
Pillars: Operation, Community