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The MAST International program through the University of Minnesota isn’t a foriegn concept in Goodhue County. Steve and Mary Matthees and Brandon Schafer are proof of that. “This program is the longest run exchange program in the United States, and it started in 1949,” said David Pratt, University of Minnesota MAST International coordinator. The program provides foreign students with practical and academic training in American agricultural and horticultural production. It not only gives each student hands-on training in their area of interest, but provides them with the opportunity to enroll in related courses for a semester.

“My experience with the program has been extremely positive,” said Brandon Schafer, Goodhue farmer who hosts MAST students. “The relationships I have built have been life-long.



The program provides Schafer and his family the opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment right at home.



“The world is not as big as it used to be,” said Schafer. “It’s been an extraordinary experience for my kids because they can put a face with a country and most kids can’t do that.”

Schafer also wanted employees who are passionate about their work and are reliable, and he saw that in his students.

“I wanted someone who saw this as more than just a paycheck because you need that to be successful and profitable. That is becoming harder to find,” said Schafer. “I can teach anyone how to do their job, but I can’t teach them to care.”

Schafer is hosting Brazilian students Giordana Costa and Aldane Greco.

“I used to watch movies from America and dream of being there one day, and now I get to live it,” said Giordana Costa. “It has been an excellent cultural experience for me, and I was able to learn English and how to be efficient in production. It was like a personal conquest.”

Aldane Greco is happy to learn how everything is done on a U.S. hog farm.

“Everything is different here,” said Greco. “I like learning how the hog farm works here in the United States and how to be efficient. I love everything about it.”

Schafer finds it interesting to ask his students their goals when they arrive and before they depart.

“Usually when they arrive, they tell me they want to learn English and how to manage a farm. But, when they leave, they actually learned more about themselves,” said Schafer.

Steve and Mary Matthees, dairy farmers in Goodhue, have had similar experiences.

“We have been able to meet some interesting people,” said Steve. “It is interesting to find out that their work ethic, values, and things they are going through are similar to ours here at home. They take pride in their work and appreciate a good days work.”

“I enjoy learning about their home countries and cultures,” said Mary. “It is nice to be able to help further their education and teach them how we do things.”

“I also like to give them a hard time every now and then,” laughs Mary.

Steve and Mary are hosting two Brazil students Gustavo Manzan and Talles Siqueira.

“I miss my family and friends a lot, but Steve and Mary are always by my side,” said Manzan. “They have made this experience as comfortable for me as they can. They are like a second family to me.”

Gustavo and Talles say it’s fun to know all the aspects of American farming.

“I have been able to improve my English and learn new techniques of farming,” said Siqueira. “It is important to know good English in Brazil because of the large number of American-based businesses there.”

Steve and Mary believe the relationships they make through this program are lifelong.

“Our past student Pedro is very close friends with our son and his family has actually come to visit us,” said Steve. “It sure is something special to have global relationships.”

Two of Schafer’s and Matthees’ former students met while they were here in the United States and are engaged to be married.

“It’s amazing they flew halfway around the world the meet their future spouse,” said Schafer.

Both Schafer and the Matthees family have enjoyed their experiences with their students and plan to continue with the program in the future.

“This program has allowed students to know the real America,” said Pratt. “Hopefully they realize this experience is more than just work.”

Author: Melissa Mussman
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