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Bringing the World to Kalamazoo
Bringing the World to Kalamazoo

Emerging leaders come to West Michigan to learn, teach, share, and connect.

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Connecting Kalamazoo with Global Leaders
Connecting Kalamazoo with Global Leaders

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The blog

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Celebrating Citizen Diplomacy in Southwest Michigan
Celebrating Citizen Diplomacy in Southwest Michigan

Who will be here next?

Upcoming Programs

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Volunteer. Partner. Support.
Volunteer. Partner. Support.

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Connecting Kalamazoo to the World

Global Ties Kalamazoo Connects Southwest Michigan to people from all over the globe for cultural and professional connection, exploring our shared humanity.

What We Do

Upcoming Programs

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IJAB/CIP German Social Worker Exchange Program
Aug 28
IJAB/CIP German Social Worker Exchange Program

This fall, two German social workers will spend September through October in Kalamazoo as part of a professional exchange. We're looking for hosts who can offer them a place to stay for two weeks to two months.

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IVLP: Youth Leaders Accelerating the U.S.-Africa Growth Paradigm
Oct 14
IVLP: Youth Leaders Accelerating the U.S.-Africa Growth Paradigm

12 leaders from Africa will be in Kalamazoo though the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to examine leadership and communication strategies used to manage political and social challenges; review social and economic policy creation including connecting with advocates who influence the decision-making processes; discuss how public-private partnerships foster political and civic engagement; and more.

Would you like to host any or part of this group of 12 for dinner on Sunday, October 18? Learn more and sign up here.

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IVLP Africa Regional: Youth Engagement: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce
Oct 17
IVLP Africa Regional: Youth Engagement: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

The Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program will bring a regional project for the Near East and North Africa will bring together 12 youth development leaders to examine and explore leadership strategies and communication skills around social participation and employment.

Host any or part of this group of 12 for dinner on Sunday, October 18.

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IVLP NENA Regional: Combatting Violence: Assault Awareness and Prevention
Oct 28
IVLP NENA Regional: Combatting Violence: Assault Awareness and Prevention

A group of 15 leaders from Near East and North Africa will be in Kalamazoo as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in late October and early November. Objectives for their program include reviewing best practices for preventing domestic violence as well as reporting abuse, prosecuting abusers, and providing assistance and protection to victims of domestic violence; and supporting the legal rights of victims of domestic violence.

Would you like to host any or part of this group of 12 for dinner on Friday, October 30? Learn more and sign up here.

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Past Programs

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IVLP Strategic University Partnerships: A Regional Project for Africa
Sep 12
IVLP Strategic University Partnerships: A Regional Project for Africa

A group of 26 professionals from Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe will be in the United States between September 12 and October 3 for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project exploring strategic university partnerships. They will be in Kalamazoo in September.

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IYLEP (Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program)
Jul 15
IYLEP (Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program)

July 15 through 28, we'll be hosting 20 Iraqi youth and 3 adult mentors through the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP). Rescheduled from Summer 2025, we're looking for families to open their homes for overnight hosting.

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Freedom 250: Youth in the Political Process
Jun 26
Freedom 250: Youth in the Political Process

As part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, a multi-regional group of professionals from Ghana, Lebanon, Mexico and South Africa, along with one liaison came to Kalamazoo from June 26-July 1 to explore civic engagement and governmental roles in elections and democracy.

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Enriching local community with global diversity,
one relationship at a time.

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One Issue, Two Communities: Who Gets to Be Young?
One Issue, Two Communities: Who Gets to Be Young?

Where does youth begin, where does it end, and who gets to draw the line?

In the first of a 2-part series, Hussain Khalid, who recently visited Kalamazoo with the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) program shares about how youth exists as a concept (and not) in Iraqi culture.

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You Don't Have to Be a Good Cook: What Two Kalamazoo Hosts Want First-Timers to Know
You Don't Have to Be a Good Cook: What Two Kalamazoo Hosts Want First-Timers to Know

Picture a backyard fire in Kalamazoo. Around it sit visiting government officials from Kyrgyzstan, learning to roast s'mores and burning plenty of marshmallows. It happens to be their Independence Day, so as the evening goes on, they stand and sing their national anthem.

Nights like that rarely start with a perfect menu or a spotless house. Instead, they typically start with someone who was a little nervous and said yes anyway. If that's you, two longtime hosts want to talk you through the worries that come up most.

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Internship Reflections from Sonya Koenig
Internship Reflections from Sonya Koenig

“[Kalamazoo] is filled with incredible people doing incredible and inspiring work. Before this internship experience, I saw many of my friends leaving the area and felt there was not much for me in terms of employment or fun activities. I did not see myself living in the area long term. However, this past summer has given me a new perspective on Kalamazoo and the opportunities that exist within the community.”

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