An International Dimension in Extension
The
Michigan State University
Experience
Mary Andrews
Major Goals:
 Enhancing the organizational culture
 Staff Capacity Building-Professional Dev.
 Programming Facilitation—An international
dimension in all programs
 Coordination & Encouragement
 Experimentation
Beliefs:
 “ Extension professionals
with access to information
and appreciation for the
nature of global issues can
be a source of unique help
to local clientele, and can
be active partners in
global development.”
 Mary Andrews
web1.msue.msu.edu/intext
Program Strategies: International Extension
Training Program (IETP)
 Intense Professional Development
Experience
 Groups of 12-15 agents and specialists
 Two year commitment of in-service time
 Includes international travel
 Financed by MSUE & Counties
Campus Training: Faculty
Campus Training: Interaction
I can’t believe how much I learned
during our first session…
 Even if we never
traveled together, this
training is invaluable
 Getting updated on
global issues is
important for all
agents
 I already value my
involvement in IETP
Jim Wiesing, Grand Traverse Co.
Field Training: Exploration
Field Training: Sharing
Planning for Outreach
 Upon return from
intn’l travels, the
group debriefs and
plans for educational
programming in MI
 Outreach happens
before, during and
long after IETP
Group XII, January 2002
October, 2001
How big is your world?
It is easy to live life looking no further than you
can see. It is easy to focus on what is near and
immediate. However, the terrorist attacks on
September 11 forced us to look further – further
away and further into the future. And hopefully,
that reminded us that those who faced horror
were part of our community – the community of
America.
It may not seem necessary to broaden your
world until an event like this, but there are many
reasons, and advantages, for looking beyond your
horizons. There are things to be gained, and
given, by getting to know your world and its
people. And there are lessons to be learned by
getting to know what affects them.
My trip can become your journey.
As you’ll read on page 3, I’ll be taking a trip to
Asia in order to broaden my horizons. It will be
an opportunity to possibly touch lives, and be
touched by those whose cultures are simply
foreign right now.
In this newsletter, and in future ones, I’ll
introduce you to things and people beyond your
reach. I’ll try to stretch your perspective and help
you look farther down the road, over the current
horizon.
What you’ll find, is that as your world gets
bigger, that what really happens is that it gets
smaller. For you’ll go from finding out about
Indian rubber producing families to learning that
they share some of the same concerns that
Michigan milk producing families have. And
you’ll begin to see them not as foreign and
strange, but hopefully, as familiar. And maybe
then you’ll see them as a part of your community
– the community of your world!


E-mail from Asia?
I plan to send regular updates from India and
Thailand, as I am able. If you would like to
receive these, send your e-mail address today to
me at: (durstp@msue.msu.edu)
Program Strategies: Study tours and
Exchanges
 Participation in existing or
self designed study
programs (Study Abroad,
Study Tours, Professional
Meetings)
 Add-on’s to international
projects
 Serving as chaperone to
youth or adult travel
experiences
ESP Study Tour to SE Asia, 2002
The Study Tour reminded me of all
the great interactions during IETP…
 IETP has always been
with me…my travels
to SE Asia reinforced
those lessons
 I feel better able to
talk about the global
food system now…I
have first hand
experience
Jan Seitz, Jackson Co.
Program Strategies: International Assignments
 USDA opportunities
 ACDI-VOCA and other Citizen Volunteer
Programs
 Service Club/Partner Projects
 Self designed opportunities
Program Strategies: Partnerships and
Exchanges





Irish Rural Development
Exchange
South AfricaUniv. of the North Extension
Development
EFNEP Adaptation in
Johannesburg
Latvia: Extension Management
Training
India: World Bank Model
Development
Polish 4-H Foundation
Development
I am a different person because of
my international work…
 I can empathize with
peoples of other
countries and cultures
 I am critical of our
press and our gov’t.
 I wish more people
would travel and learn
about the world
Roberta Dow, Grand Traverse Co.
Program Strategies: Hosting
 Cochran Fellows
 Various Delegations
(Russia,
Mexico,Ukraine, Egypt)
 International Visitors to
MSU
 International Students at
MSU
 Youth Exchanges
Indian Students: Isabella Co.
International Experience as Leadership Development
Julie Pioch, County Extension Director Van Buren County
 The IETP program gave me a better understanding of myself and my
leadership abilities.
– The pre-travel seminars expanded my awareness and provided an opportunity to
develop a better understanding and appreciation for those who have had different
cultural experiences.
– The international travel experience makes you test your limits in terms of
cooperation, patience, physical stamina, and communication - all of which are
important skills to practice as a leader.
– I now have a sense of commitment to my staff and clientele to help them
understand how we are connected to the rest of the world and to appreciate the
leadership role we have as Americans and example we can set if we act as good
global citizens.
– I encourage my staff, my family and friends to seek out training experiences and
travel opportunities that will expand their awareness, test their limits and increase
their appreciation of different cultures and situations.
International Experience as Leadership Development
Julie Pioch, County Extension Director Van Buren County
 The pre-travel seminars gave me a chance to study and appreciate the
global economy
– I have a better understanding of the interconnectedness of the local
economy with global markets and I can better articulate that to clientele
– Discussions changed my perspective on personal buying decisions and
their global impacts.
– The seminars reviewed and refreshed my knowledge of technical financial
concepts that have improved my abilities as an extension educator.
International Experience as Leadership Development
Julie Pioch, County Extension Director Van Buren County
 The travel experience provided opportunity to analyze Extension
systems
– Learning about other Extension systems provided an opportunity to
analyze our own system in Michigan and in the US. I have a better
appreciation for the historical relationships that we have in this county and
appreciate our base within the university.
– I witnessed that outreach models that are effective in this country are also
effective in India when the needs of the client are understood and
programs are client driven.
Citizen Education Initiatives: Methods
 Citizen travel and
involvement
 Global Education:
– Trade/Global Economy
– Sustainable Dev.
– Environmental Issues
– Interdependenceterrorism/immigration
 Trade Expansion
– Intn’l Business Center
– Trade Fairs
– Networking/info
access
 Technological
Advances:
– Zebra mussel
– Rotational grazing
– Bedding plant industry
Maximizing Citizen International
Exposure
 Creating opportunities for exposure to intn’l
people, ideas, concerns
 Involving local leaders in hosting/educating
intn’l guests
 Creating linkages from local to global
 Modeling “global citizenship”
 Reinforcing intn’l interests of citizens
Lessons Learned: International
Exposure
 Important for staff credibility and
confidence
 Important to give comparisons/examples
 Important for sensitivities and perspective
taking
Lessons Learned: Training
 International exposure is not enough
 Staff need guidance, instruction to create
messages, programs
 Staff need to see examples of opportunities for
education
 Being proactive—creating generalized interest
 Being responsive—taking risks/speaking out
 Working together
Lessons Learned
 International Education is public affairs
programming—not right/wrong answers
 Educator’s Role is to expand awareness, interest,
knowledge, involvement
 People learn from interaction/involvement
 Global issues are everyday matters—part of
lifestyle, personal and professional practice
 International dimension is everyday business
Future Issues
 Maintaining staff competency/experience
 Expanding global leadership
 Expanding collaborations and partnerships
 Accessing external funding
The future is now:
 “ Our world is globalizing around us. To
serve our domestic clientele well, Extension
needs to be globally aware and
internationally active. We cannot, not be
involved!”
Mary Andrews, Director
International Extension Programs, MSUE