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Reaching Across the Border: International Work in Wisconsin Cooperative Extension

This article explores the benefits and implications of international work in Cooperative Extension, using examples from the Wisconsin-Nicaragua Partnership. It discusses the impact on faculty, programs, partnerships, and the university's international objectives.

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Reaching Across the Border: International Work in Wisconsin Cooperative Extension

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  1. Reaching Across the Border: International WorkinWisconsin Cooperative Extension Arlen Albrecht Mary Crave Martin Havlovic University of Wisconsin-Extension

  2. Objectives • Review examples • Describe benefits • Discuss implications

  3. Who: 40 persons/5 years With: Peace Corps USAID ACDI/VOCA Farmer to Farmer What: Training Teaching Evaluating Developing Designing Accomplishments

  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. Revitalizes faculty Revitalizes program Develops or expands partnerships University serves international objectives Implications

  12. Brings recognition to University Source of revenue Provides professional development Implications

  13. Implications • Leadership needed • Need for training • Not for everyone personality resources support

  14. Educators need to show benefits and be accountable Administrators need to understand value and provide support and leadership Implications

  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

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