From 29th to 30th June 2023, the American student group (six students) of World Learning – SIT Study Abroad was leaded by Dr. Duong Van Thanh, came to the College of Rural Development to visit and study. Associate Professior, Dr. Nguyen Duy Can, MSc. Tran Duy Phat and ten English-majored students of Rural Development College of Can Tho University accompanied with the American student group

Figure 1:  American students took souvenir photos with Vietnamese students at the College of Rural Development (Photo by Nguyen Thi Van Hong)

On the first day of the journey, when the American student group arrived at the College of Rural Development, Dr. Le Thanh Son (leadership representative of the College) gave them a warm welcome and introduced the College of Rural Development's activities in teaching, scientific research and community development support.

On two days in the College of Rural Development, the team was learned about biodiversity-conserving activities and medicinal plant resources in the Mekong Delta. The group was also visited the Biodiversity Conservation Area of the College of Rural Development and instructed on how to identify some common plants growing in Hoa An campus which are used as traditional medicine by local people. In addition to visiting and studying, the program also spends time for both American students and Vietnamese students to socialize together and exchange the culture, art, and cuisine of the two countries.

Figure 2: Dr. Le Thanh Son greeted the American student group and introduced the College of Rural Development (Photo by Nguyen Thi Van Hong)

Figure 3: Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Can introduced biodiversity conservation and medicinal plant resources in the Mekong Delta (Photo by Nguyen Thi Van Hong)

The academic exchanging activity between the World Learning – SIT Study Abroad program of the United States and the College of Rural Development of Can Tho University, which is not only an important bridge for two-nation students to improve understanding of culture and life but also increase awareness in the conservation of biodiversity and biological resources for human life.

Figure 4: MSc.. Tran Duy Phat introduced the Biodiversity Conservation Area of the College of Rural Development (Photo by Kim Qui)

Figure 5: MSc. Tran Duy Phat instructed on how to identify and treat diseases of plants growing in Hoa An campus (Photo by Tran Thi Hai Bang)

Figure 6: American and Vietnamese students practiced identifying and taking patterns of remedial plants growing in Hoa An campus (Photo by Tran Thi Hai Bang)

Figure 7: American and Vietnamese students met and tasted Banh Xeo – Vietnamese pancake (Photo by Tran Thi Hai Bang)

Written by: Kim Qui, Tran Thi Ha Bang, and Tran Duy Phat