2-WEEK WORK IMMERSION OF LBSHS AND BAYOG SHS STUDENTS

The immersive journey of students from Los Banõs Senior High School and Los Banõs Bayog Senior High School at the Advanced Education (AEP) - Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF) through the 2024 Work Immersion program has been vibrant and meaningful. The students have not only participated in informative classes and seminars but also embarked on interesting field trips and engaging extracurricular activities, all organized with the support and collaboration of AEP staff, teachers, and students.

Let's review the outstanding events and experiences that the students have had throughout their nearly 2-week journey in Vietnam!

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM

On April 13, 2024, the flight carrying teachers and students from Los Banõs Senior High School and Los Banõs Bayog Senior High School safely landed at Noi Bai International Airport. After hours of exhausting flight, the delegation had a short rest to recuperate before embarking on a new exploration journey at AEP – TUAF.

DAY 2: LAO & MYANMAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

The Lao and Myanmar New Year celebrations took place with enthusiasm and joy, welcoming teachers and students in a lively atmosphere. The students presented outstanding cultural performances, creating a harmonious blend of Lao, Myanmar, and Philippine cultures, making the celebration more diverse and vibrant. Additionally, the students had the opportunity to meet new friends from countries such as Germany, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Mozambique, etc…

DAY 3: WELCOME  – CAMPUS TOUR

The welcome ceremony took place in Meeting Room A4, Central Building, featuring impressive opening performances by AEP students and high school students. Additionally, important information about the Work Immersion program and an introduction to TUAF were presented in detail, helping the students better understand the upcoming activities and plans.

After the ceremony, the Campus tour commenced in the afternoon. Guided by AEP volunteers, the delegation toured and gained deeper insights into the layout and structure of the university, as well as key locations where the program's activities would take place.

DAY 4: THE MUSEUM OF CULTURES OF VIETNAM’S ETHNIC GROUPS – CLASS WITH AEPers

The Museum of Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups, located in the city center, was the first destination for the students from LBSHS and Bayog SHS on their cultural exploration journey. Here, through guided tours and exploring the exhibits, the students learned and experienced the richness and uniqueness of Vietnam's ethnic cultures.

In the afternoon, the students participated in a class with AEP students from countries such as Laos, the Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria, and Vietnam. The class was conducted in an enthusiastic and energetic atmosphere, with lively exchanges between the students and the lecturer.

DAY 5: GREENHOUSE – AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT AND EXPERIENCE MAKING XU XÊ CAKE

At the Agriculture Department, students from LBSHS and Bayog SHS were guided to observe advanced research machinery and various cultivation models for crops, vegetables, and flowers in the greenhouse.

In the afternoon, the students visited the Food Processing Lab – part of the Food Technology Department to practice making Xu Xê cake, a traditional Vietnamese sweet cake.

During these sessions, the students not only had the opportunity to learn about organic farming methods but also enjoyed tasting and sharing the freshly made cakes.

DAY 6: MEANINGFUL JOURNEY TO HANOI – THE CAPITAL OF VIETNAM

Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter were must-visit destinations in the Vietnam exploration journey of teachers and students from LBSHS and Bayog SHS. Upon arrival, the tranquil and fresh atmosphere of the lake, combined with the traditional beauty of architectural landmarks such as the Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, and Ngoc Son Temple, offered the students a fascinating and peaceful experience.

The lake connects to famous ancient streets like Hang Dao and Hang Ngang, each bearing its own unique characteristics and nostalgic charm. Additionally, the St. Joseph's Cathedral, also known as Hanoi's Grand Cathedral, is another enchanting and alluring place, a top destination for tourists visiting Hanoi.

DAY 7: KIM TUYEN ORCHID – ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINAR

The students had the opportunity to experience the process of planting Kim Tuyen Orchids at the Institute of Life Sciences. Under the attentive guidance of experts, everyone divided into groups and participated in various stages, from dividing young plants, preparing soil and pots, removing moss, to planting the orchids into the pots.

Following that, the students joined a seminar on diverse and captivating topics such as Environmental Protection, Ecological Economics - Circular Economy- Green Economy, Fashion Industry, Agriculture, and many others. The groups actively discussed and shared perspectives, creating a lively and innovative atmosphere during the workshop.

DAY 8: TEAM BUILDING

The "Team Building" event created a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere, with the participation of 6 teams representing students from LBSHS, Bayog SHS, and AEPers from various countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Mozambique, Timor-Leste, and many others.

The teams demonstrated their enthusiasm and determination through four exciting activities including tug of war, kumquat game, sack race, and water game. Each team gave their best efforts, not only to win but also to showcase sportsmanship, teamwork, and collaboration among members. The tense moments, laughter, and unity painted a colorful and meaningful picture for the "Team Building" event.

DAY 9: FREE DAY

DAY 10: THAI HAI ETHNIC VILLAGE – HAO DAT TEA FARM

The Thai Hai Eco-tourism Stilt House Conservation Village is a place that recreates the customs, traditions, and cultural activities of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen.

Upon arrival, the students had the opportunity to experience unique aspects of ethnic culture such as listening to "then" singing, enjoying "lam" tea and "gai" cake, trying traditional liquor, and herbal drinks. What's more, they also had a chance to visit and learn about traditional stilt houses and the daily activities of ethnic minority people.

At the Hao Dat Tea Farm, the students were warmly introduced to the process of planting, caring for, harvesting, and producing Thai Nguyen tea leaves - a famous and high-value tea variety. Besides, the students also had the chance to enjoy delicious tea, green tea peanut candy, and purchase various tea products as gifts for family and friends

DAY 11: VIETNAMESE CULINARY PRACTICE AND DIGITAL HUB - THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

In the morning, the students had a truly enjoyable experience as they joined in learning to make two traditional Vietnamese dishes: "nem" (spring rolls) and "phở cuốn" (rolled pho). Everyone put in a lot of effort and diligence to create perfect fried spring rolls and rolled pho, from preparing the ingredients to decorating and arranging the dishes. After completing the dishes, they all enjoyed the food they had made themselves, proud of their achievements and savoring the rich flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

In the afternoon, the students visited the Digital Hub - Thai Nguyen University. They had the freedom to explore the library, experiencing reading and researching a variety of documents ranging from theses, journals to literary works.

DAY 12: FINAL REPORT AND CERTIFICATE AWARD CEREMONY

The ceremony took place with enthusiastic participation from all the students. Each group had prepared and delivered their presentation in a creative and impressive manner, bringing unique perspectives and experiences about the program. The photos and videos captured every precious moment, from emotions and smiles to the learning and discovery moments of the students. The stories retold from the students' experiences painted a comprehensive picture, reflecting the true spirit and significance of the program.

While watching the concluding video and receiving the certificates, the proudest achievement was not just completing the program but also the effort, perseverance, and passionate spirit that each group and individual contributed to every activity and trip.

DAY 13: FREE DAY

The students spent their final day in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam, relaxing and exploring local entertainment spots, enjoying local cuisine, and shopping for souvenirs.

DAY 14: RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES

The meaningful journey that lasted nearly two weeks at AEP – TUAF and Vietnam has come to an end. Congratulations to all the students from LBSHS and Bayog SHS for successfully completing this enriching experience.

We hope to see you again in new capacities, perhaps as TUAF students in the near future. We look forward to continuing to meet you guys again and share more about new experiences in our lives and careers.

With the close cooperation between TUAF, LBSHS, and Bayog SHS, we hope to continue welcoming more delegations to study, experience, and share in Vietnam.

Goodbye and see you again soon!! Mabuhay and Maraming salamat !!!