Orientation to Orientation to International Extension: International Extension:

Preparing Extension Faculty for Preparing Extension Faculty for their their

First International ExperienceFirst International Experience

Dr. Pete Vergot IIIDr. Pete Vergot IIIAssociate Professor Associate Professor

District Extension DirectorDistrict Extension Director University of Florida/IFAS Extension University of Florida/IFAS Extension

The purpose of the orientation The purpose of the orientation component of an international component of an international professional development program is professional development program is to enlighten, motivate and prepare to enlighten, motivate and prepare county extension faculty to be a part county extension faculty to be a part of international extension activities. of international extension activities.

Planning for SuccessPlanning for Success

Committed extension administration Committed extension administration providing enthusiasm and funding providing enthusiasm and funding

Strong leadership with developed Strong leadership with developed international extension experienceinternational extension experience

County extension faculty with a strong County extension faculty with a strong commitment of time and interestcommitment of time and interest

Objectives and ActivitiesObjectives and Activities To be better able to respond to the needs of To be better able to respond to the needs of

individuals and communities impacted by cultural individuals and communities impacted by cultural diversity and global interdependencediversity and global interdependence

An understanding how to become involved in An understanding how to become involved in overseas projects and USDA development overseas projects and USDA development education effortseducation efforts

Develop international outreach programs for local Develop international outreach programs for local clienteleclientele

Application of expanded knowledge and increased Application of expanded knowledge and increased cultural sensitivity to local problems and programscultural sensitivity to local problems and programs

Objectives and ActivitiesObjectives and Activities An understanding of assistance available on the An understanding of assistance available on the

campus campus Time to develop team building skills Time to develop team building skills Information on international health, expectations Information on international health, expectations

of climate and information resources of climate and information resources A chance to discuss issues with experienced A chance to discuss issues with experienced

faculty and studentsfaculty and students An opportunity to develop the objectives, agenda, An opportunity to develop the objectives, agenda,

activities and outcomes of the international activities and outcomes of the international training experience.training experience.

The Orientation ProcessThe Orientation Process An An applicationapplication and review process and review process A A web site web site for informationfor information Multi-dayMulti-day training sessions training sessions PreparationPreparation for the international for the international

experienceexperience DiscussionDiscussion of the debriefing session of the debriefing session

A Few Sources of InformationA Few Sources of Information

Global Education:Global Education:What is It? Why Should You Care?What is It? Why Should You Care?

http://www.reeusda.gov/serd/ip/global_ed.htmhttp://www.reeusda.gov/serd/ip/global_ed.htm

http://http://www.worldstudy.govwww.worldstudy.gov/ /

Outcomes and ResultsOutcomes and Results

The county faculty participating in the The county faculty participating in the training program were excited to share training program were excited to share the outcomes, results, personal feelings the outcomes, results, personal feelings and benefits they received from the and benefits they received from the participation of the successful participation of the successful professional development experience.professional development experience.

““““The training broadened our The training broadened our understanding of the family understanding of the family structures, cultures, structures, cultures, customs, lifestyles and customs, lifestyles and views of people around the views of people around the world, allowing us to world, allowing us to recognize similarities we recognize similarities we share and to gain an share and to gain an appreciation of our appreciation of our differences.differences.”” ”” (Converse, (Converse, 2002). 2002).

““““We are a rejuvenated We are a rejuvenated group of agents that group of agents that have a greater have a greater appreciation of the appreciation of the support system we have support system we have within the University of within the University of Florida/ IFAS Extension Florida/ IFAS Extension program.”” program.”” (Brinkley, (Brinkley, 2002).2002).

““““The experience created The experience created an opportunity to an opportunity to develop a relationship develop a relationship with co-workers from with co-workers from around the state in both around the state in both a professional and a professional and personal capacity that personal capacity that would otherwise not would otherwise not have been possiblehave been possible.”” .”” (Converse, 2002). (Converse, 2002).

Implications for ExtensionImplications for Extension

A broadened understanding of the family A broadened understanding of the family structures, cultures, customs, lifestyles and structures, cultures, customs, lifestyles and views of people around the world, allowing us views of people around the world, allowing us to recognize similarities we share and to gain to recognize similarities we share and to gain an appreciation of our differences.an appreciation of our differences.

An experience which creates an opportunity to An experience which creates an opportunity to develop a relationship with co-workers from develop a relationship with co-workers from around the state in both a professional and around the state in both a professional and personal capacity that would otherwise not be personal capacity that would otherwise not be possible. possible.

Implications for ExtensionImplications for Extension A strengthened commitment and dedication to A strengthened commitment and dedication to

jobs and an energized Faculty membersjobs and an energized Faculty members

A Faculty that realizes that they have many A Faculty that realizes that they have many things to learn from others, but we also have a things to learn from others, but we also have a great amount of valuable knowledge they can great amount of valuable knowledge they can teachteach

A rejuvenated group of agents that have a A rejuvenated group of agents that have a greater appreciation of the support system they greater appreciation of the support system they have within the University Extension program.have within the University Extension program.

Thank youThank you Questions?Questions?

Dr. Pete Vergot IIIDr. Pete Vergot IIIAssociate Professor Associate Professor District Extension DirectorDistrict Extension DirectorUniversity of Florida/IFAS ExtensionUniversity of Florida/IFAS Extension