Going the Distance: Examining the Impact of a Long-Term International Fellowship

AgriCorps, an American organization, created a fellowship program to connect agricultural professionals school-based education in developing countries. Previous scholars researched the impacts of international experiences on learners, usually through lens short-term study abroad. This seeks examine impact long-term and provide recommendations for future like-programs by analyzing previous AgriCorps fellows. Fellows lived taught community Ghana or Liberia. Eighteen fellows participated semi-structured interview virtual meeting platform. The interviews were used collect data fellows’ perceptions. Through our analysis, 12 themes 64 sub emerged. initial include 1) growth after fellowship, 2) thoughts post experience, 3) challenges, 4) responsibility, 5) discrimination, 6) enjoyed culture, 7) reflection, 8) developed development philosophy, 9) adjusting life, 10) engaging community, 11), language 12) relationships built. With training, have established protocols sexual harassment health emergencies, ensure access mental reflection resources, assist participants adapting back into home country culture.