Study Abroad In the Cradle of Agriculture.

In summer of 2009 and 2010, Auburn University graduate students in agriculture traveled to Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in Yangling, Shaanxi, China for a month-long study abroad. Northwest A&F is located about 85 km west of Xi'an, in an area of China where agriculture had its origins more than 8,000 years ago, and is an area of major agricultural research and productivity today. The primary purpose of the trip was to teach a course in plant genetics and crop improvement (introductory plant breeding), in English, to the American students for credit, and to give the Americans a study abroad experience in a developing country. Chinese students also attended the lectures to learn about western-style teaching methods, and to improve their English in a technical field. The American students were able to interact with the Chinese in ways that went far beyond the classroom. Information will be presented about the host university in China, teaching and living accommodations, scheduling, degree of participation by the Chinese, and everyday life as a student at a Chinese agricultural university. General information will be presented that should be valuable to anyone considering a study abroad in China or any other developing Asian country.