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

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Upcoming Programs

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
What We Do

Upcoming & Recent Programs

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IVLP Europe Regional: State & Local Government
May 2
IVLP Europe Regional: State & Local Government

Volunteer as part of their visit! Looking for hospitality hosts on Sunday, May 3. Learn more here.

Twelve professionals from Europe and Eurasia along with two interpreters will be in Kalamazoo from May 2-6 to as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Goals include exploring government structure, specifically the division of authority and responsibility between federal, state, and local governments.

IVLP Africa Regional: Workforce and Business Development: Pathways for Youth
May 10
IVLP Africa Regional: Workforce and Business Development: Pathways for Youth

Volunteer as part of their visit! Looking for hospitality hosts on Monday, May 11. Learn more here.

A group of 13 professionals from Cote d’Ivoire (2), Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia (2), Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe (2) along with three liaisons will be in Kalamazoo through the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

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See All Programs
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IVLP Africa Regional: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development
Apr 26
IVLP Africa Regional: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development

Volunteer as part of their visit! Looking for hospitality hosts on Sunday, April 26. Learn more here.

A group of 16 professionals from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zimbabwe along with four liaisons will be in Kalamazoo through the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Their time in Kalamazoo is specifically focused on upskilling for young people and technology and entrepreneurship.

IVLP Indonesia: Driving Innovation through Academic Partnerships
Apr 23
IVLP Indonesia: Driving Innovation through Academic Partnerships

Volunteer as part of their visit! Looking for hospitality hosts on Friday or Saturday April 24 or 25. Learn more here.

A group of eight professionals from Indonesia, including 6 visitors and 2 liaisons will visit Kalamazoo as part of the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

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

Latest News

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Locals, like Paul, are the heart of cultural exchange in Kalamazoo
Locals, like Paul, are the heart of cultural exchange in Kalamazoo

Many of Paul’s strongest memories started with simple questions in the car. Visitors ask about Kalamazoo; he asks about home. Someone notices a cemetery or a mural, and suddenly they are comparing customs, joking together, or talking about family.

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Go From Host to Convener
Go From Host to Convener

Exchange the Global Ties Kalamazoo way is intentional and includes working exchanges where people come together around shared questions and leave with relationships and ideas they can build on. Exchange is strategic.

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Former Kalamazoo Fellow, Miruna Ranjan, Featured in Singapore Media
Former Kalamazoo Fellow, Miruna Ranjan, Featured in Singapore Media

Global Ties Kalamazoo is grateful to call Miruna Ranjan a partner and friend in this work of citizen diplomacy. Her story—rooted in Singapore and now woven into Kalamazoo—reminds us that when people connect across borders, it changes what young people believe is possible for themselves and their communities.

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