Reaching Across the Border: International Work
inWisconsin Cooperative
ExtensionArlen AlbrechtMary Crave
Martin Havlovic
University of Wisconsin-Extension
2
Objectives
• Review examples
• Describe benefits
• Discuss implications
3
Accomplishments
Who:40 persons/5 years
With:• Peace Corps• USAID• ACDI/VOCA• Farmer to Farmer
What:
• Training• Teaching• Evaluating• Developing• Designing
4
Wisconsin-Nicaragua• Wisconsin-Nicaraguan Partnership• UW-Ext faculty on WNP Board• System wide focus on Nicaragua
5
Individual Efforts
• Mostly Agriculture and Natural Resources or Community Development staff
• 2-3 weeks at time• University time and vacation• Most have previous international
experience
6
Benefits
• Invigorating• Broadens world-view• New knowledge
of processes, policies, content, techniques
7
Benefits
Improved Skills• Teaching• Creativity• Decision-making• Communication• Resourcefulness• Self awareness
8
Benefits
• Develop new or build on scholarship, research opportunities
• Learn new language
9
Benefits
• Sensitivity to cultural differences
• Teach content not in current position
10
Implications
• Time – before, during, after
• Stress and re-entry fatigue
• Local programs may suffer
• Exposure to risks
11
Implications
• Revitalizes faculty• Revitalizes
program• Develops or
expands partnerships
• University serves international objectives
12
Implications
• Brings recognition to University
• Source of revenue
• Provides professional development
13
Implications
• Leadership needed• Need for training• Not for everyone
personality resources support
14
Implications
Educators need to show benefits and be accountable
Administrators need to understand value and provide support and leadership
15
Conclusions
• Many international education opportunities
• Potential benefits for Extension educators, clients and partners
16
Conclusions
• Internationalizing Extension is important step toward broadening the focus of international Extension work
• Demonstrating value at home is a challenge
• Look to benefits in diversity/multicultural work