Third annual report of the Caribbean and Latin American scholarship program : executive summary

For the most part, participants have felt that the training programs were of high quality and met their expectations. After returning to their countries and jobs, most participants have attributed some work-related benefits to the training programs. The training programs provided experiences that helped the participants gain an understanding of North Americans and their way of life. However, follow-on programs thus far have not engaged returned trainees in the kinds of activities that would help sustain ties with the United States or foster sharing of the benefits of training. Both "Experience America" and "Follow-On" programs need fine-tuning: Experience America, if properly conceived and implemented, should provide participants with opportunities to establish ties and linkages with North Americans, and Follow-On should strengthen the ties and linkages. The importance of linking Experience America to Follow-On is crucial. A training officer of a very successful CLASP/CAPS program (which already has a strong Follow-On program in place) succinctly stated "Follow-On really begins during the pre- departure program -- instilling in the trainee the desire to maintain connections with A.I.D. and the United States." We could use this Mission"s conception as a model for the planning and implementation of Follow-On programs. (Author abstract)