Left to right: Ronald Navareete Ganchozo; Dr. Glenn Ames, IPSO Director; Caroline Hofland; and Dario Chavez visiting Caroline Hofland's CBH International Headquarters in Suwanee, Ga. Javier and Juan Carlos Left to right: Glenn Ames; Rob Fowler; Jean Fowler; Juan Carlos de Leon Comte, a senior student at Zamorano from Guatemala; and Javier Mantilla Compte, a recent Zamorano graduate from Ecuador Left to right: Juan Carlos de Leon Comte; Dr. Paul Thomas; Javier Mantilla Compte; and Glenn Ames

The University of Georgia has had a long-term partnership with the Pan American School of Agriculture in Honduras, also known as Zamorano, with student exchanges, collaborative research, and cross-cultural studies. UGA's activities with Zamorano are governed by an International Cooperative Agreement which was renewed in 2008. The Office of International Public Service and Outreach has played a significant role in the university's exchange program by hosting student interns from the Pan American School of Agriculture. Zamorano students are required to undergo an internship during the first trimester of the fourth and final year of their academic program. Please see the Pan American School of Agriculture's website at www.zamorano.edu.

In 2005, IPSO hosted two students, Ronald Jose Navarrete Ganchozo and Dario Chavez. Caroline B. Hofland, CEO of CBH International in Suwanee, Ga., an export management company specializing in poultry and pork equipment, provided scholarships for two interns during the spring semester. In addition, Ronald and Dario also received financial support from Mr. Rob Fowler who has had a long-term relationship with Zamorano. In 2008, Rob and Jean Fowler asked IPSO to arrange an internship for two students from Zamorano during the spring semester 2008. Support from the Rob Fowler Fund of the Community Foundation for Newton County brought Javier Mantilla Compte (Ecuador) and Juan Carlos de Leon (Guatemala) to UGA for internships with Dr. Paul Thomas in horticulture and Kay A. Remar, Business Consultant, Small Business Development Center.

Javier and Juan Carlos arrived on January 3, 2008 and immediately began to audit classes in their respective disciplines, horticulture and agribusiness, and to work with their mentors on their assigned projects. Javier worked very closely with Dr. Paul Thomas as a lab assistant while Juan Carlos worked on business plans with Kay Remar at the SBDC. Javier and Juan Carlos also took the opportunity to strengthen their English and learn about Georgia agriculture. Rob and Jean Fowler hosted them at their farm in Newton County, took them to horseshows and exposed them to cultural events in Georgia. Dr. Thomas encouraged Javier to studied for the Graduate Record Examination in preparation for graduate studies at UGA. Ultimately, he was admitted to the Graduate School for the fall semester 2008. Thus, Javier used his internship opportunity to further his career. Juan Carlos returned to Zamorano to complete his program of study and graduate. While the interns were at UGA they received a lot of support from Dr. Ed Kanemasu, and Ms. Vicki McMaken in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences office of Global Programs. Please see Global Program's website at www.global.uga.edu for more information about UGA's partnership with Zamorano.

Since international students make a significant contribution to the teaching, research and public service mission of the university, IPSO organized an International Student Achievement Reception to recognize students hosted by the office. Faculty mentors, advisors and friends also joined in the achievement recognition.

International Public Service and Outreach presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Rob and Jean Fowler for their support of two exchange students from the Pan American School for Agriculture during the spring semester 2008. Dr. Paul Thomas, Professor of Horticulture, provided academic and practical guidance to Juan Carlos de Leon Comte and Javier Mantilla Compte during their internship at the University of Georgia. Juan Carlos and Javier visited the horticulture industry in Georgia with Dr. Thomas and learned about the impact of the drought on the industry in Georgia.