Impact Beyond Horizon: Finding the heart of Vietnam in a bowl of porridge

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Impact Beyond Horizon: Finding the heart of Vietnam in a bowl of porridge

Far beyond typical tourist sights, international students at RMIT Vietnam found the true heart of Vietnam inside a local children's hospital. Serving early morning bowls of porridge to pediatric patients revealed a profoundly different side of their host country, turning a simple meal into a lasting lesson in compassion.

Coming to a new country is often a whirlwind of vibrant markets, historic landmarks, and trying new foods. But at RMIT, the true essence of Vietnam lies beyond the tourist trail - it’s found in the spirit of sharing. To help international students connect more deeply with Vietnamese society through meaningful community engagement, International Student Support (ISS) introduced Impact Beyond Horizon - an opportunity for students to engage with the local community in a more grounded and compassionate way.

Impact Beyond Horizon - a shared act of care

In partnership with Nhịp Sống Yêu Thương (Loving Beat of Life), ISS and the Buddy Program organised Impact Beyond Horizon - a community initiative that brought RMIT international students closer to local realitẽies through hands-on service.

Students prepared breakfast packages under the guidance of volunteers from Loving Beat of Life.

Having gathered at dawn, students delivered warm breakfasts to pediatric patients at the Children’s Hospital 2. Visiting each room, RMIT students handed meal tickets to pediatric patients and their families, many of whom welcomed them with smiles and gratitude. With meal tickets in hand, families gathered at the hospital’s distribution area to receive porridge, milk, and cookies prepared and served with care by the students throughout the morning.

Students prepared breakfast packages under the guidance of volunteers from Loving Beat of Life.

For many international students, the experience exposed them to realities they had never encountered back home. Getting to partake in these differences firsthand made the morning feel far more meaningful than a regular volunteer activity. The initiative highlighted how small gestures can offer nourishment, care, and a sense of connection to children and their families during tough times.

Driven by heart: What brought us together

For many, the journey began with a simple desire to see a side of Vietnam rarely shown in travel vlogs. "I wanted to see what the living situation and the hospitals are like in Vietnam", shared Badajos Joanne Kezia from Philippines.

However, curiosity quickly turned into a deeper calling. For Joanne, the motivation was personal: "I love taking care of kids, and in the future, I want my career to be in early childhood education." Meanwhile, students like Darell Williams from the US and Benjamin Ruben from Germany were driven by a universal goal: a desire to help others and bring happiness to people in need - something that transcends borders and backgrounds.

RMIT students supported the meal distribution process at Children’s Hospital 2.

The moments that truly hit

It wasn’t just the activity itself, but the moments within it stayed with the students. Darell was moved by the quiet effort behind a simple meal: "I remember stirring the porridge, and people said they do that for two hours every morning. It’s a lot of labor and love. I was definitely thinking about that effort the whole time."

Stirring porridge - a simple act that left a lasting impression on international students.

For Benjamin and Joanne, the most powerful moment was when handing out meal tickets in the wards. It was their first time seeing the inner workings of a local hospital and meeting the patients face-to-face. "It’s very touching to see how grateful and happy they were for the care behind each meal", Benjamin recalled. Darell added, "I saw a lot of people smiling, and that made me smile."

Stirring porridge - a simple act that left a lasting impression on international students.

A new view on Vietnam

Stepping inside the hospital changed how our students view their host country and their own lives. "You get slapped by the reality that Vietnam isn’t just tourist spots," Joanne confessed. "It’s also about the locals who need resources. So it’s really meaningful to be able to help out." For Benjamin, the experience was a lesson in gratitude: "Sometimes we complain about small things and think life is hard. Activities like this bring you back down to earth and remind you that your life isn’t as difficult as you think." Ultimately, the day left an impression of a "caring community", as Darell noted, proving that compassion is a language that transcends borders.

Community trip - 7

The Buddy Team, international students, and volunteers from Loving Beat of Life gathered at Children’s Hospital 2.

Impact Beyond Horizon is more than a one-time event; it is a commitment to the community we are part of. We are looking for more compassionate hearts to join us in our upcoming sessions. Whether you are an international student looking to connect with the local culture or a local student wanting to give back, there is a place for you.

Stay connected with ISS and the Buddy Program for upcoming activities. Your next meaningful experience might be just around the corner.

Buddy Program

For more details about Buddy Program, please visit the SharePoint site (log in with RMIT account)

Discover Buddy Program

Story by: Nhu Quach (Student Life), with inputs from the international students

22 May 2026

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Far beyond typical tourist sights, international students at RMIT Vietnam found the true heart of Vietnam inside a local children's hospital. Serving early morning bowls of porridge to pediatric patients revealed a profoundly different side of their host country, turning a simple meal into a lasting lesson in compassion.

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