Purdue Ag developing study-abroad program with Cuba
October 23, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University professors in the College of Agriculture travel to Cuba this weekend as a preliminary planning excursion for a study-abroad program there.
Steven Hallett of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Steve Yaninek, head of the Department of Entomology; and Gerald Shively of the Department of Agricultural Economics are participating in the Oct. 24-31 scouting trip. They will gain familiarity with potential partners by visiting local agricultural institutions.
"The opening of diplomatic ties with Cuba unlocks many potential research, education and outreach opportunities," Shively said. "On this trip, we want to begin to lay the foundation for future Purdue activities, keeping in mind that building collaborations and mutual understanding and identifying appropriate activities may take time."
Yaninek said the group will conduct a walk-through of a student study-abroad trip they are organizing for March 2016.
"We want to offer Purdue students the broadest educational opportunities possible. Cuba hosts a stunning array of landscapes, ranging from premier tobacco-growing areas to remarkable nature reserves. We want our students to gain this type of unique exposure," he said.
Hallet noted that they plan to visit local farms and villages and tour many of the sites that will be visited during the study-abroad experience.
"This is a trial run of the upcoming study abroad so we can assess the situation and suggest modifications as needed," he said. "We want to make sure everything runs smoothly and that we can optimize our March study abroad as well as future partnerships."
Writer: Jessica Eise, 765-494-0974, jeise@purdue.edu
Sources: Steve Hallett, 765-494-7649, halletts@purdue.edu
Steve Yaninek, 765-494-4554, yaninek@purdue.edu
Gerald Shively, 765-494-4218, shivelyg@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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