Our International Visitors
All ECA-funded in-person visitor programs postponed through March 31, 2021
November 10, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all ECA - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State - funded in-person visitor programs are postponed through March 31, 2021.
You can read more at this link. Stay home and stay safe.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
An Open World Reunion: A virtual coming together of Russian women entrepreneurs who visited Kalamazoo in real life in March 2020. They were the last to leave our community, on Friday, March 13, 2020
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Young Influencers (6 visitors from Pakistan), A virtual IVLP Single Country Project - December 4, 2020
Transparency and Accountability in Government (22 visitors from 19 countries); A virtual IVLP Multi-Regional Project Visitors from Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, El Salvador, Hungary, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Nepal, Philippines, North Macedonia, Rwanda, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zambia - November 16-24
NGO Management: A virtual IVLP Multi-Regional Project - Visitors from Albania, Armenia, Bahrain, Burma, Egypt, Fiji, Guyana, Hungary, Jamaica, Malta, Nepal, People’s Republic of China, Serbia, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam
November 12-21, 2021
American Pluralism: 2018 IVLP Alumni reunion (virtually) in Kalamazoo - Visitors from Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania and Slovakia
September 23, 2020
Arts Education as Economic Driver: A Project for South Africa - Kalamazoo meeting with Merze Tate Explorers and Orchestra Rouh (Kalamazoo)
August 26 – 27, 2020
POSTPONED:
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists - Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation (12 + 3) (Egypt (3), Iraq (3), Jordan, Libya, Palestine (2), Saudi Arabia, Sudan) April 1-4.
Hospitality will be needed
POSTPONED:
CVE - Community Strategies, (12 + 3) Regional project for Africa, countries TBD April 4-8
Hospitality will be needed
POSTPONED:
Countering Violent Extremism – Media and Messaging Strategies (12 + 3) (Near East and North Africa Regional Project, countries TBD)
Hospitality will be needed, Dates, TBD
POSTPONED:
Social Workers long-term exchange (Germany) - September - December, 2020
5 visitors, job shadow opportunities for youth workers, Seeking home hosts, in one-month intervals
Recent 2020 visitors
March 27, 2020
Women in Entrepreneurship (5+2) Russia March 6 - 14 (departed early due to COVID-19)
Overnight home hosted in Kalamazoo
Not too Young to Run (7 + 1) Denmark, Kosovo, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Switzerland, Tajikistan, United Kingdom (March 8-12)
Dinner Diplomacy hosted, Tuesday, March 10
Youth and Civic Engagement (7 + 1) (Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Iceland, Ireland, Morocco, Serbia) March 7-11.
Dinner Diplomacy hosted, Sunday, March 8
University Partnerships (8 + 2) - Kazakhstan - February 28
Interdisciplinary and Experimental Art (1+1) South Africa January 18-22, 2020
Angela Benedicto (Tanzania) – IVLP Alumna from 2013, returning to Kalamazoo, January 15-31. Community event on Thursday, January 30, 7 pm, First Congregational Church.
Global Ties U.S. National Meeting – Faces of Exchange: Citizen Diplomacy in Focus – January 21-25 in Washington DC.
2019 visitors and programs
December 30, 2019
2019 Programs
Digital and Media Literacy in Education (13 + 2) The Netherlands (December 13-18)
Hospitality Meal, Sunday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Dec. 16
Trafficking in Persons - Forced Labor (7 + 3) Poland (December 15-18)
Fostering Incubators for Economic Growth and Development (14 + 2) Afghanistan, Bangladesh (3), India (2), Nepal (2), Pakistan (3), Sri Lanka (2) and Tajikistan (December 8-12)
Hospitality Dinner, Monday, December 9 and Tuesday December 10
Firefighting in America (8 + 3) Iraq (December 8-11)
IT Entrepreneurship (9 +3) Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Israel November 26-29
Thanksgiving Day hospitality, Thursday, November 28
Social Workers long-term exchange (Germany) - August 30 - December 3
4 visitors, job shadow opportunities Home hosts, in one-month intervals
Arts and Culture Management (5 + 2) Armenia November 5-8
Program in Traverse City
Home hospitality dinner in Traverse City, Wednesday, November 6
Countering Violent Extremism (7 + 3) Uzbekistan November 2-6
Home hospitality meal, Sunday, November 3
Kalamazoo’s Legacy of Exchange - Past and Future - Women Leading the Way
Tuesday, October 22 at the Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo, 6-9 pm
Religious Freedom in the U.S. and the Role of Religions (7 + 4) North Macedonia Oct.10-12
Based in Grand Rapids.
Media Literacy (9 + 2) Philippines October 9 – 12
Education and Community Service (12 + 2) (Russia) September 26 - October 2
Hospitality, Sunday, September 29
Trafficking in Persons (4 + 2) Thailand September 7-10
Hospitality lunch, Afternoon of Sunday, September 8
Traditional and Social Media in Elections (5 + 3) Sri Lanka September 3-6
Hospitality dinner, Evening of Wednesday, September 4
Minority and NGO Participation in the Democratic Process (16 + 4) (Americas Regional Project) – El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico August 21-24
Evening hospitality, Thursday, August 22
Combating Trafficking in Persons (8 + 3) (Kyrgyzstan) – August 18-21
NGO Management (13 + 4) (NEA RP Egypt (3), Israel, Kuwait, Morocco (3),Qatar (2),Palestine (2),Saudi Arabia (2),Tunisia (2), United Arab Emirates – August 15-21 (in Lansing on 19th)
Summer Camps: Learning English as a Second Language through Community Service (11 + 3) (Russia) – August 10-13
Afternoon Hospitality, Sunday, August 11
Trafficking in People (8 + 3) (Egypt) - August 9-14
U.S. Education in the Digital Age (8 + 3) (Morocco) - August 1-7
Afternoon Hospitality, Saturday, August 3
Innovation in Government (7 + 3) Brazil – July 31 – August 3
Dinner hospitality, Thursday, August 1
Interfaith Dialogue (13 + 4) (Iraq) – July 29-Aug 1
Dinner hospitality, Tuesday, July 30
Rule of Law and Effective Victim Advocacy in the Criminal Justice System (3 + 1) (Kosovo) - July 27-31
Afternoon Hospitality, Sunday, July 28
U.S. College Admissions (6 + 2) (Palestine) - July 24-28
Evening Hospitality, Friday, July 26
IYLEP - Arabic - Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program - 12 teens (9 girls and 3 boys), 2 adult mentors July 10-24. HOME HOSTED
Combating Trafficking in Persons (5 + 2) Mexico June 21-26
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists (6 + 2) Lusophone Africa Sub-regional Project, Angola (2), Cabo Verde (2), Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe May 12 - 15
Dinner Hospitality, Monday, May 13.
NGO Management (5 + 2) Belarus May 5 - 8
Dinner Hospitality, Monday, May 6.
CVE Community Strategies (21+4) Regional Project, Bahrain (3), Egypt (3), Iraq (3), Jordan (2), Kuwait, Mauritania (2), Saudi Arabia, Sudan (2), Tunisia, Palestine (2) April 21 - 24
Dinner Hospitality, Monday, April 22.
Young Leaders RISE - Renew, Inspire, Serve and Empower (15+4) Egypt (2), Iraq (3), Jordan (2), Lebanon, Morocco (2), Palestine (2), Saudi Arabia (2), Tunisia Regional Project, April 14 - 19
Dinner Hospitality, Tuesday, April 16.
Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism (5+2) Albania April 7-10
Dinner Hospitality, Monday, April 8.
State and Local Government (8 + 1) Albania, Australia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Jordan, Nepal and Portugal Multi-regional April 4 - 9, 2019
Hospitality. Saturday, April 6.
Empowering Youth to Strengthen Communities and Prevent Violence (11+3) Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Niger (2), South Sudan (2), Togo March 31 - April 3, 2019
Dinner Hospitality hosts, Monday, April 1.
Alternative Care - (12+2) Kenya March 20 - 23
Silviculture: Sustainable Forestry in the U.S. (7+2) Russia March 14-19
Dinner Hospitality, Sunday, March 17.
Women in STEM (5+2) Russia March 8-16, 2019
Overnight home hosted in Kalamazoo
2018 visitors
December 21, 2018
2018 PROGRAMS:
German Social Workers - long-term (3 month) job shadowing - 4 guests - August 30 - November 30, 2018 Home Hosted
Arts Administration (10+2) Macedonia November 10-14 (Full program in Traverse City)
University Admissions and Study Abroad (5 + 2 ) NEA Gulf Countries November 8-14 (Oman, Qatar (2), Saudi Arabia (3)
Hospitality: Saturday, November 10 - afternoon
Binational Centers (8+2) Oct. 26-30 Colombia
Hospitality: Monday, October 29 - evening
Transparency and Ethics in Government (9+2) October 24-27– Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia
Human and Civil Rights(5+2) Oct 21-24 Thailand
Women’s Entrepreneurship October 10-16 (9+2) Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan
Hospitality: Saturday, October 13 - afternoon
Disinformation in Journalism (17+4) Oct 3-6 (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay)
Hospitality: 8-9 people (half the group) – in Grand Rapids – evening of Thursday, Oct 4.
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth September29-October 3 (11+3) Benin, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia (The), Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania (2), Zambia
Transboundary Water Management (18+3) Sept 29-Oct 3 Angola, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
American Pluralism: Politics, Policy and Economics (8+2) September 26-30 Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Hospitality: Saturday, September 29 – afternoon
Citizen Participation in Transparent and Accountable Government (5+2) Sept 19-25 (Ukraine)
Hospitality: Saturday, September 22nd - afternoon
Women Entrepreneurs – Alumni as Economic Multipliers (8 + 2) Sept 13-18 (Bulgaria, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, China, Serbia, Tajikistan, Zimbabwe)
Hospitality: Saturday, September 15 – afternoon
Combatting gender-based violence through coalition building (Pakistan) 9 visitors + 3 liaisons - July 19-21
Countering Violent Extremism through Community Youth Engagement (Kyrgyzstan) 8 visitors + 3 liaisons - August 12-16
IYLEP - Arabic - Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program - 11 teens, 2 adult mentors August 17-31
US-Russia Peer to Peer 8 visitors to St. Petersburg, Pushkin and Moscow (U.S. visitors to Russia) July 27-August 5
Religion in a Secular Society (Republic of Kosovo) 5 guests + 2 liaisons - June 20-24
US-Russia Peer to Peer 8 visitors to Kalamazoo and Phoenix (Russia) April 27-May 5
Indian Women Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Economic Growth (India) 7 guests + 2 liaisons – March 13-16
Social Integration of Children and Adults with Disabilities (Russia) 5 guests + 1 liaison + 1 interpreter February 2-10 Home hosted
US-El Salvador Exchange Programs and the Industries of the Future (El Salvador) 11 guests + 3 liaisons - January 27-31
U.S. Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program - NGO Empowerment Initiative
August 14, 2018
We implemented a two-part exchange in 2018, part one took place in the USA, exploring nonprofit management best practices. Our Russian guests spent a week in Kalamazoo (April 20-28) followed by a week in Phoenix AZ (April 28-May 5). Later in the year (July 27 - August 5), we lead a U.S. delegation to Russia, and also developed virtual training. We implemented this project through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and partnered on the project with CIF Russia and Empower International, a fellow member of CIPUSA.
Public and Religious Education in the U.S. - Saudi Arabia
April 03, 2018
We had a fabulous program (March 29-April 3) with senior educators from Saudi Arabia. They were in Kalamazoo through the Meridian International Center as delegates of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We had a great workshop with the WMU Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology exploring virtual classrooms and student-centered pedagogies. We had enriching meetings with KPS Superintendent Michael Rice, including a tour of Maple Street Magnet School; a tour and meeting at the Fetzer Institute exploring spirituality in education; dialogue at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center and fabulous home hospitality luncheons over Easter Weekend.
Refugee Integration - Slovenia
March 27, 2018
We learned a great deal from our five IVLP guests from Slovenia (in an action-packed single day program in Kalamazoo through CRDF Global) as we explored work with unaccompanied minor youth and refugee resettlement with Bethany Christian Services, met with volunteers who are current sponsors of refugee families from Syria, and were inspired by Orchestra Rouh, where we attended a rehearsal of the fabulous young Syrian musicians that are growing musically and all around month in and month out.
International delegations to Kalamazoo (March 2016 - Dec 2017)
March 22, 2018
Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Portugal) 6 guests + 1 liaison – December 13-16, 2017
Community Outreach and Youth Engagement for Muslim Leaders (Belgium and the Netherlands) 10 guests + 2 liaisons – December 10-12
Channeling Energy for Sustained Social Change (Ukraine) 5 guests + 2 liaisons - November 19-22
Social Workers – Germany (4 guests, August 19 – November 21) Home hosted
Sustainable Agriculture and Modern Marketing – Bangladesh, India, Kyrgyz Republic (2), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (11 guests) September 2nd – 6th, 2017
Social Workers – Spain (1 guest, Sept 7 – October 4) Germany (4 guests, August 19 – November 21) Home hosted
The Pharmaceutical Industry – Palestine (6 guests) August 16th – 19th, 2017
Addressing the needs of Refugee Youth – Germany (4 guests + 2 liaisons: August 6-9)
IYLEP - Iraqi Youth Leadership Development Exchange (10 youth + 4 adults: July 8-22) Home hosted
Independent Living for People with Disabilities – Russia (6 guests + 2 liaisons: July 11-14)
American Libraries – Kazakhstan (4 guests + 2 liaisons: June 15-20)
Civic Engagement in Small and Medium Sized Cities – Poland (10 guests + 2 liaisons: May 17-22)
Children in the U.S. Justice System – Kuwait, Panama, Slovakia, Ukraine, Zambia, Zimbabwe (6 guests: May 13-17)
Research and Development at Public Universities – Azerbaijan (9 guests + 3 liaisons: May 3-6)
Youth and Community Conflict Resolution – Brazil (8 guests + 3 liaisons: April 12-15)
Women and Social Entrepreneurship – Russia (7 guests: March 4-12, 2017) Home hosted
Workforce Development – Bermuda (6 guests: February 9-11, 2017)
NGO Management – Regional – Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia (2) (10 guests: February 2 – 7, 2017)
Our Planet: Urban Sustainability – Resilient Cities – Canada, Costa Rica, People’s Republic of China (4 guests: Feb 1-6, 2017)
Regional Economic Development – Estonia (6 guests: Jan 8-11, 2017)
Women Promoting Peace and Security – Australia, Burma, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, Papua New Guinea (2), Philippines, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste (12 guests: Dec 6-10, 2016)
Social Workers – Spain (1 guest) June - August 2016; Germany (3 guests: September – Dec. 2016) Home hosted
Trafficking in Persons – Oman (5 guests: Nov 23-29)
Integrating Minorities into the Public and Private Sectors – Israel (13 guests: Nov 13-16)
Education, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship – Pakistan (16 guests), Oct 9th – 12th
Innovation in Science and Technology Education – Colombia (7 guests), Sept 14th – 17th
Interfaith Dialogue – Saudi Arabia (13 guests), August 10th - 13th
Changemakers II: The impact of social entrepreneurship in the U.S. – Multi-Regional: Algeria, Burundi, Cambodia, Egypt, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peoples Republic of China, (9 guests), August 4th - 10th
Community Policing – Mexico (13 guests), July 13th -16th
Energy Security through Deregulation and Energy Efficiency – South Korea (7 guests), July 7th – 12th
Youth Mentoring, Development, and After School Programs – Gabon (10 guests), June 8th – 12th
Waste Management – Turkmenistan (6 guests), June 4th – 8th
Environmental Education – Russia (7 guests), June 4th – 12th
Trafficking in Persons – Costa Rica (8 guests), May 18th – 22nd
Ethnic Communities Historical Memory Initiative – Colombia (6 guests), May 17th – 19th
Education and Integration of Youth in a Diverse Society – Greece (6 guests), May 15th – 17th
Civil Society, Rule of Law, and Human Rights – Kyrgyzstan (6 guests) – April 2016
Disability Rights – Multi-Regional - Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Sudan, Chad (12 guests) – April 2016
Women’s Entrepreneurship – Multi-Regional - Egypt, Ghana, Guyana, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, United Arab Emirates (9 guests) – March 2016
Inclusiveness in the Decision Making Process – Turkey (4 guests) – March 2016