Student Perspective
By: Scott Stebbing, Master’s Student | Trent University
I was awarded the opportunity to come to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) in Vietnam with the QES scholarship program, whilst in the second year of my MSc. at Trent University (Canada). In Canada I am co-supervised by Prof. Huy Dang (Trent University) and Prof. Raoul Couture (Laval University). My research examines geochemical cycling of trace metals within a lake undergoing extended in-lake remediation. I am also interested in the bioaccumulation within the aquatic ecosystem and have conducted a 6-month sampling mission collecting water, sediment, and biota to be processed and analyzed in the laboratory setting. My project aims to better understand the physio-chemical factors associated with these geochemical cycles as well as the uptake into the aquatic food web.
During my time in Prof. Dang’s lab, I have had the opportunity to meet several visiting scholars, one of whom, Tri Nguyen (2024) studies at HCMUT under the supervision of Prof. Khai Ha. Tri’s research is similar to mine in that we both are examining trace metals within aquatic ecosystems, but where I am doing a shallow lake in temperate Ontario, Tri was studying the UNESCO recognized Can Gio mangrove forest in Vietnam. We traded field work stories while in lab and I became interested in going and participating in this field work. Through continued discussions with Tri and Prof. Khai, I learned of additional field research projects involving ground water in the Mekong Delta, which I was excited to contribute to. Prof. Khai Ha generously drafted a project proposal for QES funding for me to apply to.
Image: From Left to Right; Loc Tran, Tri Nguyen and Scott Stebbing filtering groundwater samples in the Dong Thap province of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
This project broadened my experience massively as I assisted with sampling water across the Mekong Delta, a region many times larger than my study site back in Canada. More than that however, it challenged me to go out of my comfort zone as I have never traveled outside of North America, let alone traveled on my own. This exchange pushed me out of my routines, as Trent is the only post-secondary institution where I have studied.
“I highly encourage applying for the [QES] program as it allows you to broaden your experience by engaging with environmental science initiatives and learn about challenges different regions are facing. My exchange was not directly related to my MSc thesis research but my field of study overlapped with my host lab groups, which allowed me to see how the work I am doing could be conducted and applied in another region and institution.”
At Trent University, I have developed a very strong social network since my undergraduate degree (2020-2024) and academic network during my MSc (2024-present) within Prof Dang’s lab. I wanted to test myself within a new environment and demonstrate my willingness to get involved with field work, even if doing so involves some separation from my support network back in Peterborough. I hope to gain field experience in a region vastly different from what I am accustomed to, while also contributing to environmental research initiatives.
Image: Scott standing near a rice field in the Northern part of the Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City has been a big change, but I have been fortunate with Prof. Ha’s research group welcoming me so warmly. I left Ho Chi Minh City for the Mekong Delta only five days after arriving, with Tri and I heading to the Dong Thap and Long An provinces to sample groundwater.
I found the QES program to be an amazing opportunity to experience the research process and field work at another institution and country, as there were certainly similarities and differences compared to my home institution. For me, working with Prof. Ha’s lab group has been incredibly worthwhile, as we quickly built up our camaraderie during long hot days in the field. The kindness and generosity of the people living in the Mekong Delta region was charming, as I was given many new fruits to try and was photographed by passersby due to my height. [Editor’s note: The average height for a man in Vietnam is ~5’6″, Scott is well over 6′ tall.]
Beyond the academic and technical benefits, I was excited to experience living abroad for 100 days. I was also very fortunate that Tri offered to host me at his house during Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. I got to participate in this holiday by making sticky rice cakes (Banh têt) and enjoyed the restful and optimistic atmosphere. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, although participating in a holiday which places such an importance on family and friends, I did feel the distance from home.
Image: View from the back of a Motorcycle on a dirt path through tall grass and trees.
After Tet, I headed back to the city and quickly got back to work with applications for conferences. It was during this time I presented an overview of my research to the experts at the Center Asian Research on watEr (CARE) and was grateful for the opportunity to share my work.
There have, of course, been times I felt isolated and missed my friends and family back in Ontario. The language barrier added difficulty for learning customs, and everyday interactions became more challenging to meaningfully communicate. This experience has helped me slow down and really think about how to make my language more accessible, as I stepped out of the English dominated academic community.
Image: Asian Green Bee Eater seen at the last sampling point during my exchange.
The last 100 days have passed in a blur, and I am sad to be leaving. The QES scholarship has allowed me to meet new friends and colleagues from around the world and experience life in Vietnam; while supported financially, bureaucratically, and personally. This exchange has forced me to adapt in ways I hadn’t foreseen and learn how to find peace and calm even amid chaotic and loud surroundings.
To learn more about the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship, which made Scott’s experience in Vietnam possible, visit the QES Program page on our website or contact us:
Image: Making Sticky Rice Cakes with members of Tri Nguyen’s Family in preparation of a family event.
Images below: Fruits and plants photographed by Scott in Vietnam.
