Conducting my Own Field Visit

Stephanie Lackey is a first year volunteer at Tropenbos International in Hue, Vietnam.

I have received countless interesting, exciting, and unique opportunities since beginning my post at TBI last September. Working and living in Huế has been an all-around amazing experience that has allowed me to explore many different aspects of myself, and to discover some insight of what I want to do in the future. One of the most rewarding experiences in working with TBI this year was organizing my own field visit. This opportunity was especially beneficial for me because I’m hoping to conduct my own research abroad in graduate school, and this experience was my first chance to lead a field visit.

The visit was held in Nam Đông district in Thừa Thiên- Huế.  Nam Đông is a rural, forested district where approximately half of the population is of the ethnic minority group, Katu.  I directed my research session in Doi village, where the population is fully Katu.  My questions were centered around forest product use and various environmental health issues within the village, topics which are of particular interest to me.  After the question and answer session, I was shown around a small part of the forested area in the village, as well as the village medicine garden.  Though the visit was only a half-day excursion, it was still an awesome opportunity that offered me experience towards my future goal of graduate research.