Daily Pioneer News

Chancellor David Markee and Wil Bekkering, adjunct director of Dronten Professional Agriculture University

PLATTEVILLE- Agriculture students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have been experiencing another culture and different forms of agriculture as they study abroad as part of the International Exchange Program at Dronten Professional Agriculture University in the Netherlands. On Sept. 27, Chancellor David Markee signed a continuation agreement with Dronten.

Wil Bekkering, adjunct director of Dronten Professional Agriculture University, traveled from Dronten to be here for the signing. In commenting on her visit to UWP and her meetings on campus, Bekkering noted, "I am convinced that our cooperation will have a good future because we share both vision and interest."

The International Exchange Program differs from the Study Abroad Programs in that the partner schools have a similar program in a specified area or college. Each college at UWP partners with different universities. The program strives to send as many UWP students to the partner school as it brings in students from the partner school. While on exchange, UWP students pay UWP tuition and may also receive scholarships.

The exchange program with Dronten began in 2001 and since then 20 Dutch students and 20 UWP students have participated in the exchange. According to Sue Price, professor of animal science;Chris Baxter, assistant professor of soil and crop science; and Roger Higgs, professor emeriti; were instrumental in building the program by establishing short-term exchanges.

"The Dronten students who came here on those short trips went back and shared how much they loved the people here. It made more Dronten students want to come here and helped push for the continuation of the program," Higgs said.

Dronten was originally selected for the international exchange program because of its similar agriculture program and its similarity in size to UWP. The university has approximately 1,500 international students from 22 different nationalities, with many opportunities for students to be involved on campus. Polder, an organization of international students, hosts different events throughout the year and gives students the chance to connect with other students of varying cultures and backgrounds. In addition to involvement, Dronten offers classes that deal with UWP majors of study. Each program at Dronten has a specific set of classes their students are placed in and all classes are taught in English. Group work, cooperative learning and field trips are major aspects of the classes taught at Dronten. Noah Threlkeld is currently studying at Dronten Professional Agriculture University and says that it has been the experience of a lifetime.

"It has let me expand my ideas of not only agriculture, but also about life. I am developing a better understanding of how the rest of the world views topics and I have gained a lot of experience working with people from other cultures and backgrounds," said Threlkeld.

Because of the experience and opportunities Dronten offers, the number of students who go to Dronten has been increasing. The new continuation agreement now allows for 10 UWP students to attend Dronten instead of five and also outlines new faculty exchanges and development of short-term exchanges.

Kevin Bernhardt, professor of agribusiness; Mike Compton, professor of ornamental horticulture and plant biotechnology; and Price have all taught at Dronten. This spring, Jacob van Veldhuizen, a faculty member of Dronten Professional Agriculture University, will come to UWP to teach an animal nutrition class.

"We are excited for the program to continue as a wonderful opportunity for UWP students to go to Dronten and Dronten students to come to UWP," said Price.

Anyone wanting more information about the exchange with Dronten Professional Agriculture University may contact Price at (608) 342-1613 or price@uwplatt.edu