Agricultural and extension educators interested in international agricultural development must answer several questions to become oriented within the field before undertaking an international assignment. The questions are as follows: (1) why do you want to work internationally? (2) what do you have to offer as a professional? and (3) what is your personal philosophy concerning agricultural development? Educators who are interested and committed to working internationally must determine which institutions, organizations, and agencies are doing what in agricultural or extension education. They should prepare by studying the culture, language, and history of the region. Perhaps the most important activity is networking with personal, professional, and academic acquaintances. After getting a job and a destination, the educator should prepare to ease the transition by learning to know the other culture, getting to know the facts about the country, getting to know the subject, learning some basics about the language, involving the family, and preparing for travel. Keys to success on the job are communication, flexibility, adoption of the extension philosophy that efforts should be relevant to the recipient of the aid, and awareness of the inevitability of culture shock. To make the return easier, the educator should keep in touch while overseas and anticipate returning. (22 references.) (YLB)