The international extension travel programs are organized and led by on-campus Extension specialists and targeted at Indiana residents and professionals. The purpose of these programs is to provide a hands-on learning experience while incorporating the value of an international opportunity.

• Gardens of France
• Italy for Wine Professionals
• International Market Research Project to Costa Rica

Gardens of France

The Gardens of France program (previously "England and its Gardens") took nearly 30 Purdue Extension Master Gardeners and horticulture enthusiasts on an 11-day study program of garden design to some of the most famous and intricate gardens in France. Stops included Versailles, the Rosarie de l'Hay du Val de Marne, the International Festival of Gardens at Château Chaumont sur Loire, and Monet's Garden at Giverny.

For more information about the program, go to:  http://www.hort.purdue.edu/France/   Specific questions can be directed to Dr. Mike Dana (Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) at 765-494-5923, dana@purdue.edu, or Ms. Rosie Lerner (Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) at 765-494-1311, rosie@purdue.edu.

During "Gardens of France 2008," nearly 30 Purdue Master Gardeners followed a garden history and landscape design curriculum through some of France's most famous gardens and châteaus.

Italy for Wine Professionals

Italy for Wine Professionals led 15 members of Indiana’s wine industry on a 9-day excursion to various wine production and equipment manufacturing facilities, with visits tailored to help address the needs faced by Indiana’s wine industry.

For more information about this program, contact Dr. Christian Butzke (Department of Food Sciences), 765-494-6500, butzke@purdue.edu, Dr. Bruce Bordelon (Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture), 765-494-8212, bordelon@purdue.edu, Ms. Jill Blume (Department of Food Sciences), 765-494-1749, blume@purdue.edu.

Indiana wine professionals gained knowledge of the Italian wine industry while enjoying its rich culture during "Italy for Wine Profressionals 2008."

International Market Research Project to Costa Rica

Under the support of a grant from the USDA, faculty and staff from the College of Agriculture developed an innovative educational program from March 2006-March 2008 to engage the state of Indiana in the global marketplace.  Set at CATIE in Costa Rica, the ten-day research program linked Purdue graduate students, extension educators and Indiana high school agriculture and science teachers to Indiana agribusinesses interested in exploring the Costa Rican market for their respective products. Each participant was paired with an agribusiness and was given the responsibility of performing background market research prior to traveling.  While in Costa Rica, a market analysis was completed. Upon return, the participants composed reports outlining the markets and potential economic benefits for their respective business’s products and/or interests, and then presented the reports to the businesses. In addition to the experience they gained as international market researchers, students noted that the experience gave them a new perspective on the differences between Costa Rica and the United States, and the roles that culture and environment play in making business decisions.

To learn more about the program, contact Jim Murren, International Extension Program Coordinator, 765-494-9831, jmurren@purdue.edu.

Participants in the Costa Rica travel program gained knowledge in international market research and experience in the Tico culture. Everyone returned with new contacts and a changed view of the world.

For more information, contact:

Jim Murren
International Extension Program Coordinator
Ph.: 765-494-9831
E-mail: jmurren@purdue.edu