MAST is celebrating 75+ years!
In 1949, the first MAST student arrived to the U.S. from Sweden. In 2024, the 10,000th participant arrived to begin their training program. MAST has welcomed participants from 98 different countries over the past 75 years. While there have been many changes over the years, the goals of the program remain the same to improve global understanding by providing educational and cultural enrichment through international exchange.
We are pleased to share this recorded program, featuring remarks and reflections from alumni, hosts, faculty, and partners. The program highlights our rich history and celebrates recent accomplishments:
Whether you attended the reunion in person, joined us virtually, or are simply reconnecting with MAST after many years, we hope you enjoy this opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and future of our community.
Thank you for being part of the MAST story. Your contributions, support, and shared experiences have helped make these 75 years so meaningful.
75 years of MAST
MAST International was founded in 1949 by Dr. J. O. Christianson, who was the superintendent of the University of Minnesota’s School of Agriculture. He dedicated his life to inspiring young agriculturalists and sought a more meaningful world through agriculture and international exchange. When the U.S. Exchange Visitor Program was created under the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, MAST was the fourth exchange visitor program designated by the U.S. Department of State.
"I envision a time when young agriculturists from all over the world can productively interact with each other to share ideas and common values; working together for better agriculture, greater world understanding and cooperation.”
- Dr. J. O. Christianson in his speech founding MAST
The founding and early history of MAST is highlighted in the History of the School of Agriculture 1851-1960 by Ralph E. Miller (1979) University of Minnesota (excerpts linked here from Chapter 15).
In 1949, the first MAST student arrived to the U.S. from Sweden, having mailed his application across the ocean then traveling by boat to start his exchange program. In 2024, the 10,000th participant emailed their application and Zoomed with MAST staff before arriving by plane. While the methods participants have used to find or travel to their training site have changed, the goals of the program remain the same.
