Louisiana Extension Educators’ Perceptions of the Benefit and Relevance of Participating in an International Extension Experience toward Their Career

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess Extension educators’ perceptions of the benefit and relevance of an international Extension experience (IEE) toward their career. It was concluded that almost two-thirds of Extension educators perceive that participation in an IEE is beneficial and relevant to their careers. Further, Extension educators perceive the following barriers to participation in an IEE: a) cost, (b) time commitment, and (c) work obligation. Extension educators who perceive participation in an IEE as beneficial and relevant to their career perceive the locations rated for an IEE to be more appealing and the activities they experience during an IEE to be more important than Extension educators who do not perceive an IEE as beneficial or relevant to their career. However, no differences exist in Extension agents perceptions of barriers between educators who perceive participation in an IEE as beneficial and relevant to their career and those who do not perceive that an IEE as beneficial and relevant. As a result of these findings, it can be recommended that Extension administrators should put forth an effort to promote and create opportunities for Extension educators to participate in an IEE.