When 26 students from China were driven out to a farm near Pine Village to learn about agriculture, they were interested and enthusiastic about learning more about a staple of American life.

“This vast land and the operation system are very impressive, but the most impressive for me I think is the people here,” said Song Yiyin, a student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. “I think it’s quite different from the situation in China, because Chinese farmers usually struggle during their lives.” 

The students are taking part in a three-week “American Life and Culture” exchange program in its first year at Purdue University. In the program, students from four of the top universities in China visit Purdue and learn about American culture. 

“We are trying to build collaboration with our Chinese universities.” said Elaine Bland, director of global engagement for the International Programs Department at Purdue. “Also, (we want) to give the young people who are coming here the chance to witness and interact with the Purdue community, and the community and people of the state of Indiana, to see what life is really like in the Midwest and the United States.” 

Students visited A Plus Farms to get a sense of the agriculture in the United States, which is one of the staples of the U.S. economy and is fundamentally different than agriculture in China.   

“We were (describing) the specifics of the Midwestern grain farm, and we had questions that ranged from government policy to production risks and business risks,” said Dave Anderson, co-owner with his brother, Allen Anderson, of A Plus Farms Ltd., where the students visited. 

“They were really a very informed group for people who are not either Americans or in agriculture.” Dave Anderson said. 

Song said she was surprised at how well off Dave and his wife, Jane Anderson, were and was impressed that Jane Anderson worked on the farm and served as a faculty member in agriculture economics at Purdue. 

“That rarely happens. Actually, (it would be) impossible to happen in China. I think,” Song said.

For more information please contact: Lakin Brown lbrown@journalandcourier.com

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