Class 41 International Seminar in Cambodia and Vietnam

Class 41 had a once-in-a-lifetime experience together as they traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia for their International Seminar in January. Memorable moments from the trip included a visit to a National Park, seeing an Endangered Primate Rescue Center, an impromptu kayak tour of the islands at HaLong Bay and the Vietnam War Remnants Museum. The highlight of the trip was Cambodia. The Class agreed that the best day was visiting with the local farmers and learning how to they grow and produce their crop. Some class members jumped right in and helped to plant rice in a rice paddy and were allowed to help make rice noodles through a very hands-on and laborious method. The best part was enjoying the fruits of their labor in a delicious coconut soup. All in all, everyone agreed that this experience changed them for the better and made them appreciate their homes even more. Class members learned about the history of the communist regimes in both countries and the price the local people paid at the hands of dictators. The amount of human suffering and loss of human life was hard to fathom, but important for everyone to confront. Class members quickly understood how poor leadership can change a country and its people.

Class 41 poses at the base of a 500 year old tree in the Cuc Phuong National Park.

Heidi Morris and tour guide, Sam, learned the finer points of planting rice.

Courtney Naumann worked up an appetite while helping make the rice noodles.

Here’s what class members said:  "One of our guides said to us that Cambodia has been lucky not to suffer from natural disasters, but that they have suffered greatly from leadership disasters. I think it is important to keep in mind that the threads of our work as leaders are woven into the much bigger tapestry of culture and community. I appreciate the AgForestry Program's orientation towards putting people first, serving our communities, and honoring each other. We are very fortunate to be learning how to effectively steer our leadership endeavors towards success and away from disaster, and to be starting that effort from such a privileged position as Americans."   "I plan to tell everyone I can about what people in Cambodia and Vietnam had to say about what life is like with less freedom. I will live on with a deeper gratitude for the freedom that I have."   "I learned that the spirit of people is incredibly resilient, and I was reminded that life is a miracle and freedom should not be taken for granted."   "Everything about this seminar was useful, but perhaps most useful is learning from my classmates in real time. Two weeks in a foreign land going at full AgForestry speed is enough to put anyone to the test. We experienced a bus incident along with several personal and group trials. There are specific moments of leadership, loving kindness, and camaraderie displayed by my classmates that I won't forget. My peers are a great model of the leader I want to be."

Class 41 gave a presentation to an Agronomy Class at the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Class 41 in front of Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu Temple in the world.

Dan Gore and Justin Lanman at the Tomb Raider Temple, formally named Ta Prohm Temple.

Celebrate the graduation of Class 41, Friday, April 10, in Pasco. Tickets, table sponsorships and room discounts are available now.

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