An intrepid group of industry professionals is heading back to school for a week in February — and they're hitting the books in Mexico.
From Feb. 24 to March 1, Don Wilkerson, Ph.D., a Texas A&M University horticulture professor and extension specialist, will lead a weeklong Spanish-language immersion study program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The goal of the trip is to familiarize industry professionals with the Spanish language so they are better equipped to meet labor and marketing challenges in an increasingly global (and not always English-speaking) industry.
"This is the first group of horticulturists I have led to Mexico, but I have worked with Kukulcan [the school] on several other projects," Wilkerson says. "The school receives both professional and college students from many other fields of study."
Wilkerson chose Cuernavaca and the state of Morelos because they are "the center of greenhouse and nursery crop production in Mexico," he says.
"There's lots to see in addition to the Spanish language instruction," he says. "Also, because of its location, the weather in Cuernavaca is perfect 365 days [a] year."
At press time, six of the 10 to 12 spots Wilkerson hopes to fill are spoken for, he says, adding that participants represent diverse industry segments, including nursery and greenhouses. During the trip, participants will practice "functional and conversational" Spanish with accredited teachers and go on field-study tours focused on floriculture production and marketing. (There are no Spanish language prerequisites for the trip; all speaking levels can be accommodated.)
"Regardless of your interest in floriculture, becoming more familiar with diverse cultures, especially Mexico, is becoming increasingly important," Wilkerson says. "I don't see this trend declining ... We like to say, 'It's good to be bilingual, but it is better to be bi-cultural.'"
The price of the trip is $800 for double-room occupancy or $950 for single-room occupancy. That price includes a registration fee, accommodations, breakfast and lunch each day, tours and excursions, books and wireless Internet access. Roundtrip airfare and ground transportation to Cuernavaca are not included. Find out more.
--Mary Westbrook
mwestbrook@safnow.org
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