Our trip has been action packed so far! Yesterday (Thurs) was probably the most intense yet. We spent the day at the best agricultural university in the country - and boy did they roll out the carpet for us! I think the best part is learning about things you didn~t expect - there is a lot! For example - we had a session with a professor you is studying the economic situation as it relates to education for children. She presented fabulous data showing the differences in education performance after the institution of a work welfare type of program. It gave me a much better perspective of the country and its people as a whole.

Our agricultural stops have been great too! We have been to an Agco (Valtra) manufacturing plant, our bus took us u]into the middle of a sugar cane feild that was being harvested, we got to taste sugar cane right out of the feild, we visited the animal science dept at the university, and to top it all off they are feeding us like royalty!

It is also amazing the connections you make with others on the trip. As we are together I have learned alot about my colleagues - some that I knew well before, and others that I know more about now! Also, many people in the group have relationships with the companies and faculty that we are meeting here.

Just goes to show that the world is more connected than we think! I look forward to writing again soon.