Every spring, Washington and Lee students have a shortened term and as part of that many study abroad.
A group of Journalism students is just back from a trip that was disturbing, eye-opening, and life changing.
11 students and their professor spent two weeks touring Vietnam.
They came back with plenty of pictures, videos, and experiences.
"This guy came out and said ok where you guys from? In broken English of course. We said America and he goes America, number one," Washington & Lee Sophomore Taylor McPherson.
Pretty amazing when you consider for the longest time the Vietnamese and Americans were bitter enemies.
The students say not anymore.
"In general, the general population they don't care. It's not so much a problem to them, they're just trying to make a living," said Washington & Lee Junior Jack Burks.
But the war is not forgotten, something the students saw firsthand at several museums.
"You just see really graphic photos. They really didn't hold anything back in these museums. As I told Professor de Maria it really hurt my heart," said Washington & Lee Junior Kelly Mae Ross.
It also hurt them to see so much poverty in Vietnam but they say parts of the country are quickly becoming westernized.
"Right around the corner from where the students were staying was a Kentucky Fried Chicken which they tell me is a big thing," said Journalism Professor Bob de Maria.
It was a trip with plenty of light hearted moments and also a history lesson on a war that many here still don't want to talk about but something the younger generation wants to learn, not from a history book, but by taking a trip half world away.
If you'd like to video from the students' trip, click here.
