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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

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Celebrating Citizen Diplomacy in Southwest Michigan

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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.

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Upcoming & Recent Programs

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Apr 5

Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 7, 2026

IVLP India: Combatting Drug Trafficking

Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 7, 2026

Volunteer as part of their visit! Looking for hospitality hosts on Sunday, April 6. Learn more here.

Three professionals from India along with an interpreter will be in Kalamazoo from April 5-7 as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program(IVLP).

Goals for the program are focused around combating drug trafficking and the opioid epidemic, both as domestic issues around supply chain control, law enforcement and the judiciary, as well their connection to international cartels and terrorist organizations.

Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 7, 2026

IVLP Africa Regional: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development

Apr 26

Apr 26, 2026 – Apr 28, 2026

IVLP Africa Regional: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development

Apr 26, 2026 – Apr 28, 2026

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.

Apr 26, 2026 – Apr 28, 2026

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IVLP Georgia: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

Mar 29

Mar 29, 2026 – Apr 3, 2026

IVLP Georgia: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

Mar 29, 2026 – Apr 3, 2026

Four professionals from Georgia along with two interpreters will be in Kalamazoo from March 29-April 3 to as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Goals include exploring emergency preparedness (including natural disasters, pandemics, and conflict) and coordination among federal, state, and local government and the private sector.

Mar 29, 2026 – Apr 3, 2026

Nov 14

Nov 14, 2025 – Dec 13, 2025

Youth Ambassador Program (YAP): Haiti

Nov 14, 2025 – Dec 13, 2025

In December, we wrapped up a virtual youth exchange with Haiti focused on entrepreneurship and community impact. Youth participants are building and pitching projects they’ll implement in their home communities, and Kalamazoo professionals helped mentor and guide them.

Nov 14, 2025 – Dec 13, 2025

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

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Mar 31, 2026

Go From Host to Convener

Mar 31, 2026

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.