Global Exchange Programs

IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Most of Kalamazoo’s visitors come through this prestigious program.

Open World is a one week home stay professional exchange, funded through the Library of Congress. It brings emerging and established leaders in the former Soviet Union together with their American counterparts.

Each year since 1971, social workers from Germany visit Kalamazoo as part of CIPUSA. Each completes a one-three-month internship with the intention of creating new professional perspectives and friendships.

IYLEP has brought more than 2,500 Iraqi high school and undergraduate students to the United States for four weeks each summer to learn about leadership, civic engagement, and peacebuilding.

The CSP is a professional leadership development program for the best and brightest community leaders worldwide.

In the planning stages, this project involves coordinating a Community of Practice for Youth Development Advocates (YDAs) from Kalamazoo to collaborate with YDAs from Singapore to share best practices around Critical Youth Development, Social Emotional Learning, Restorative Justice, and other topics.

Creating a platform for youth development advocates to grow together, and for youth to talk to and learn from one another by addressing things that matter to them.