Collaborative Learning at the Kauffman Foundation

May, 2010

Usually we select one trainee or intern as our Exchange Visitor of the Month. For May, we have decided to highlight a group of trainees. While the majority of our trainees and interns are the only J-1 visa holders at their host companies, some companies choose to have many trainees or interns at once. This is the case with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri, an organization that, according to its mission statement, “works nationwide to catalyze an entrepreneurial society in which job creation, innovation, and the economy flourish.”

This year the Kauffman Foundation is host to 28 J-1 trainees and interns who are taking part in a unique entrepreneurship program. Participants came from all over the world to learn how to plan, fund and market their own business ideas or how to teach these skills to others at the university level. In addition to training at the Kauffman facilities, exchange visitors in Kauffman’s entrepreneurial program travel around the US to learn from industry leaders and academics in the field.

One participant, Rahayu Puji Haryanti, a professor from Indonesia, appreciates the program’s experiential teaching style: “I was involved in lectures, seminars, discussions, role play and other assignments which make me sure that I can contribute a lot to the entrepreneurship program in my country by leveraging the knowledge…to my colleagues and young people in Indonesia.” James D.D. Massie, also of Indonesia, echoes Rahayu’s sentiment. “It was a great experience to get the chance to have a variety of professors teaching us in the Kauffman Labs,” he said when asked to speak about the training experience. James found visits to “well-known universities to join seminars or conferences about entrepreneurship,” to be an important part of his training.

A large group of J-1 exchange visitors simultaneously training is one of the major advantages of the Kauffman program. Each participant has the opportunity to share insights and experiences with other participants, all of them budding entrepreneurs with fresh ideas. Rasmus Jorno of Denmark describes the collaborative environment as “a rollercoaster ride.” In addition to helping participants, the exchange program also benefits the work and research of the Kauffman Foundation. “This program affords the Foundation and its associates an invaluable opportunity to understand perspectives on entrepreneurship in several countries,” remarks program coordinator Wendy Torrence. The exchange of perspectives among participants makes the program successful and unique.

While learning about American culture and business practices, the participants also learn about the culture of their fellow trainees. It has helped Dariusch Malek Zadeh of Germany to gain insight into “different backgrounds and business approaches, which are crucial in terms of running a global business.” Outside of their training, the Kauffman participants have been able to explore the museums of Kansas City and get a taste of California and Massachusetts, where participant Shanshan Yu of China had the opportunity to go skiing for the first time!

By learning from their host company and one another, the participants at the Kauffman Foundation have had a unique exchange experience. It is our hope that all of you are having a similarly wonderful experience!