The Professional Development &
Institutional Building Program
Exploring - Session One
Orientation to international extension programs, campus based three days
- objective one: To learn about the duties of personnel of University of Florida IFAS International Programs
- objective two: To understand what an internationalized extension system is, its role why it is necessary, and the constraints and opportunities that exist
- objective three: To develop the individuals as a team
- objective four: To learn from faculty currently involved in international extension experiences
Understanding - Session Two
Preparing for the international experience, on campus - three days
- objective one: To learn about the duties of personnel of University of Florida IFAS International Programs
- objective two: To understand what an internationalized extension system is, its role why it is necessary, and the constraints and opportunities that exist
- objective three: To develop the individuals as a team
- objective four: To learn from faculty currently involved in international extension experiences
Observing - Session Three
Participation in an international experience – nine days in Costa Rica
Objective: to give participants first hand experience with people of other cultures during an organized professional development program
- Wednesday – day of travel to Costa Rica
- Thursday – EARTH, a focus on the university programs
- Friday - local government focus in communities
- Saturday - each team member will stay with a family - 24 hours including an overnight
- Monday – study of the costal Caribbean economy
- Tuesday – Costa Rica extension
- Wednesday - Eco-tourism the rain forest and/or volcano area
- Thursday – community development and extension systems
- Friday - local and state government, state extension and agricultural cooperatives
- Saturday – day of travel to the U.S.
Sharing - Session Four
Preparing for evaluation, experience sharing and reporting - two-days
- objective one: Faculty, local officials and graduate students share experiences and lessons learned from their international experience
- objective two: Faculty, local officials and graduate students develop a personalized plan for sharing international experience.
- objective three: Faculty, local officials and graduate students report in teams back to local constituents and during professional association meetings.
- objective four: Faculty, local officials and graduate students prepare for international assignments, developing an international extension system for Florida Extension and hosting international visitors.