ABSENT NOTICE

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update to let you know that I’ll be absent for the next 6 weeks starting June 23rd. I’ll be joining a mandatory military camp (?) (or “Giáo dục quốc phòng” in Vietnamese). It’s a required part of university life here and involves staying at a military zone/camp to learn basic defense skills, discipline, and teamwork.

For those unfamiliar, this program is quite common among Vietnamese university students. It's not actual military enlistment, but rather a training experience designed to promote physical fitness, national pride, and understanding of basic defense procedures. Think of it as a mix between school, bootcamp, and dorm life – but with uniforms, early mornings, and marching drills.

During this time, I won’t have regular access to the internet or my phone, and no access to my working laptop, so responses will be delayed. Please don’t worry if I go quiet – it’s just part of the experience. I’ll do my best to catch up when I return.

I know it sounds tough, but I’m hoping to meet new people and learn something valuable along the way.

Thanks for understanding and see you all in 6 weeks! Feel free to message me – I’ll reply when I can.

Take care!
Sillicate_