Saint Michael’s student experience spotlight: Jarrett Sweet ’25

At Saint Michael’s College, many students participate in some sort of professional or extracurricular experience outside the classroom that will help them be successful in their future careers. We are highlighting students who had such experiences and asking them to describe, in their own words, what they did and how it impacted their path at Saint Michael’s.

Jarrett Sweet ’25 of East Fairfield, Vermont, is a Secondary Education and Equity Studies double major. Over the summer, Sweet was an English Teacher Assistant Intern working for Sylvan Learning in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The internship was made possible through a grant from the Freeman Foundation awarded through the Institute for Global Engagement. Sweet was one of more than a dozen students who completed Freeman Foundation-funded internships in Vietnam and South Korea. 

Sweet was interviewed after he returned from Vietnam following his internship. Sweet’s comments have been lightly edited for grammar.

Jarrett Sweet ’25 gives a high-five to one of his students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during an internship in summer 2024 funded through a Freeman Foundation grant. (Photo courtesy of Jarrett Sweet)

What did your typical day look like in Vietnam? 

“A typical day looked like waking up around 7 a.m. to get ready for work. I would book a Grab motorbike to head to work every day. It was one of my favorite parts of the daily routine. After getting to work around 8:00 am., I would usually teach back-to-back English lessons to my class of 5- to 14-year-old students. My students were so kind and such smart students. I would finish my lessons, have lunch with my students, and be done for the day around noon. After work I would usually explore the city with friends or by myself. Then, every night, I would go out to eat with a group of friends at some restaurant on the street and have some great conversations in small plastic chairs.” 

A photo taken of Vietnam during a Freeman Foundation-funded internship Jarrett Sweet ’25 completed there in summer 2024. (Photo courtesy of Jarrett Sweet)

Why did you apply for the program? 

“I applied for the program because many of my friends went to Vietnam during the summer of 2023, and they recommend that I apply. Also, getting a fully paid trip to study abroad is such a valuable opportunity.”  

How did SMC help you get where you are?  

“Saint Michael’s College has opened so many doors for me and has given me so many amazing opportunities that I had never thought would be possible until professors and staff encouraged me to apply to them.” 

Interns in Vietnam funded by the Freeman Foundation during the summer 2024. (Photo courtesy of Jarrett Sweet)

What was your favorite part about this internship? 

“There were so many great things about my internship, but my favorite part was being able to interact with my students. Being able to see them grow in their confidence with English and having them teach me about their culture too. My favorite part of the trip outside of my internship was the daily dinners that were family style with all my friends. Also, the ability to travel on the weekends across Vietnam was amazing.”

Dinner in Vietnam was one of the favorite parts of interning abroad for Jarrett Sweet ’25. (Photo courtesy of Jarrett Sweet)

How did this internship contribute to your career goals and personal aspirations? 

“This internship gave me the confidence that I enjoy teaching English to students. It has shown me that teaching English is a possible career path for my future, and I am grateful that the Freeman Foundation gave me this opportunity to learn this about me! 

P.S.: The Freeman Foundation applications are open for summer 2025 and are due November 1st. It never hurts to throw your hat into the ring.”   

More information about the Freeman Foundation internship can be found at smcvt.edu/academics/study-abroad/freeman-foundation.