THE International Training Administration in Washington is now in its sixth year of international service. Organized as a nonprofit, self-sustaining institution to foster, assist, and administer foreign training programs in the United States, it has had under its auspices nearly 2,500 persons who received practical, technical, or professional training.

Recently, on a visit to Brazil, I had an opportunity of seeing some of the "graduates" of these training programs. I met and talked with a score of Brazilians who, having completed their training, had been back in their country at least a year. From this first-hand observation, one thing struck me which I believe bears significantly upon evaluating the results of such programs. These men, without wasting time in false attempts and indecision, have definitely settled down in their respective fields and are putting into practice their training and experience.

A few examples will perhaps show this effective application. One man, who had specialized in the United States in air conditioning and insulation, is now in charge of the thermal insulating department of an engineering concern. Moreover, a short time ago he was elected president of a commission to establish terminology and standards for air conditioning installation in his country. Another, a banker, is working in the research department of a large bank and has written several articles for banking

periodicals dealing with his experience and study in the United States. Still another, an architect, showed me the plans and blueprints for many houses and apartment buildings he had been commissioned to design. One of the homes, it is interesting to note, has been ordered by another of our very first trainees, now working in the engineering department of an electric power company in Rio.

These examples could be repeated many times, not only in Brazil, but in each of the American republics to the south. An Uruguayan, whose training in this country was in the field of petroleum refining, recently wrote us:

I started my work as General Inspector of the refinery equipment. Also I have direct charge of the field maintenance work which includes the work done at the machine shop, electric shop, instrument shop, pipe shop, etc. As you can see . . . [the company] assigned me the entire responsibility of inspection and maintenance of the refinery equipment.

At the present time I understand this is a test period for me in order to see what I have learned during my training in the United States. I feel confident that I will be able to do the job with entire satisfaction to the technical staff because it is the same kind of work I have been doing during my training. .

A Nicaraguan, who had trained in the conservation of foods, reports:

it [the hacienda] is not a big enterprise; however, I bought one third of the cattle and two thirds of the hogs with rights to their products in the same proportion.

I received from the U. S. some curing

salts, and I am about to receive hand tools for hog killing, hog cutting, and curing. The cold room is almost completed, and I hope to have them installed in about two months from now. From a former trainee of Chile, who specialized in machinery construction, maintenance, and operation, we hear:

Regarding my professional activities I should like to inform you that I have been traveling through Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. As you already know, I am the Field Service Engineer of... Corporation for all the South American countries. I am very satisfied with my new job, which is very interesting, since I am using widely my technical knowledge obtained in the U. S. A. during my period of training.

As you will see, my knowledge and experience gained in the U. S. A. not only will be spread here in Chile, but will also be known in all the South American countries I visit. . . .

Much credit for these results is due to the careful consideration given the selection of candidates by our voluntary committees, composed of impartial business and technical leaders, and established at the outset of the program in each of the Latin American countries. One of their

major functions, in addition to processing and recommending suitable applicants who have had preliminary experience in their fields, is to study and advise which fields would best contribute to the economic development of the country and in which trainees would most likely be able to apply advanced training upon return.

What ultimate purpose, one might ask, is served in this training activity? Briefly, it might be summed up as a primary step to raise standards of living throughout the world, principally through increased world industrialization. No one would seriously question the statement that the United States is looked upon as the nation best suited to provide the modern techniques. and training so vitally needed by a world striving for industrial reconstruction and progress. Just as this country, a hundred years ago, sent its technicians abroad to learn the latest improvements in different fields, eventually leading to its own rapid development, so other countries now seek to do the same. To sell our goods alone is not enough. Of equal importance, if

any substantial growth in international commerce is to take place, is that our know-how and techniques go along with these exports.

Even more significant, however, than commercial value, is the fact that, through the medium of training, there is brought to the fore something vital, which bears directly on relationships between countries. Men who come to the United States for training in factories and plants for periods of one to two years have an unusual opportunity to become acquainted with our people and to understand our ways of life. They work shoulder to shoulder with employees of all ranks and live in their midst, so that their view of this country is a realistic one. Moreover, the general aspects of our life, other than those directly related to industry, are likewise brought into proper perspective, erasing many erroneous pre-impressions. As an example, not long ago an engineer, on a technical mission under ITA, told me that he had imagined nothing but factories in the United States, and was quite pleasantly surprised to discover fine art museums as well.

The trainee, in turn, is given unlimited opportunities to make his country better known to us, in his daily work connections, in the boarding house in which he lives, through invitations to club meetings, by attending evening classes, and so on. A minimum of fifty people, it is estimated, may come into direct contact with a trainee during his stay in this country, and this number, multiplied by thousands, gives a conservative indication of the knowledge our people acquire regarding other countries.

Of special note also, for its bearing on friendly international relations, is the continued interest in the United States shown by those who have long since completed. their training here and returned home. I

found this to be the general case on my visit to Brazil, and it can be said as well of the men from other countries. Almost daily a letter reaches us from a former trainee expressing his hope to revisit this country some day, to renew his friendships and contacts and to exchange the latest information on developments in his field.

In carrying out its part in training programs, the International Training Administration assumes the entire responsibility for trainees from the moment they leave their countries until they return. Among its many services are arranging travel and housing accommodations, and seeing to it that government regulations, such as those of Immigration, Selective Service, Treasury, and the like, are complied with. It makes the necessary arrangements with industrial concerns to

provide the desired training and, throughout all of the traineeship, follows the man closely by means of periodic reports and visits by field representatives. Trainees are covered, while under its auspices, by insurance against accidental loss of life or dismemberment and receive reimbursement for medical expenses due to illness or accident. Also, they have an orientation period upon their arrival to acclimate them to our ways and to improve their knowledge of the English language. An amusing example of the difficulties with our language was given by one of our trainees in reporting his first days in Washington. He wrote:

At first, many things used to be different and embarrassing to me, due to my poor knowledge of English. I knew how to talk a little, but could not understand anything . . Nobody ever laughed at my linguistic ignorance; they found my inability to understand what they were telling me rather "cute" or simply "funny." Consequently there was a growing feeling of gratefulness in my heart, and I learned soon to smile all the time and say "Yes." I even said "Yes" when, at a party given in our honor, I remained in a corner of the room unable to participate in the conversation, and our hostess came to me and asked: "Are you bored, Ernesto?" My face was red and I felt my eyes wet when I knew what I had done, but we all sealed the incident, amid general laughter, with a toast for South and North America.

As the last phase of his program, the trainee spends an evaluation period in Washington, during which he submits a final report covering his training in the United States. After he returns home, ITA interest in him still continues and, through his correspondence and reports from our committees, we are kept informed of his activities and progress. These contacts have been further encouraged recently through voluntary establishment in several countries of groups of former trainees who wish, by this means, to keep alive their common experiences

and to help those of their countrymen just embarking upon similar programs.

The International Training Administration, as a nonprofit organization, does not finance any programs nor does it provide the actual training, which is obtained in institutions and industrial concerns throughout the country. These training programs are handled on a nominal service fee basis, relieving the sponsors, whether business or governmental entities, in this country or abroad, from burdensome administrative details inherent in all such undertakings.

In thus making its facilities available to those who care to use them, the International Training Administration feels it is playing an important part in creating better understanding between nations. And, perhaps, through the splendid results being obtained every day from this unique type of training, there may eventually come about a truly world-wide program of a similar concept. This will help bring to reality a mutually prosperous world of nations, devoted to ideals of peace, progress, and understanding, to which men of good will everywhere aspire.