A few winters ago, a backyard bonfire in Kalamazoo sparked hope. At Sarkozy’s Bakery, co-owner Alec Wells welcomed a cohort of international visitors from Lithuania. “That bonfire,” Alec remembers, “was the start of something much deeper.”

Thank you to the hosts, volunteers, partners, and international visitors who make our global community in Kalamazoo thrive. Together, we’ve turned moments of hospitality into lasting friendships that span continents.

For over fifty years, Global Ties Kalamazoo has served as a beacon for Kalamazoo’s citizen diplomacy, linking neighbors, leaders, and visitors from around the world.

International exchange impacts schools, families, and Kalamazoo businesses too. When companies, like Stryker, participate in international exchange programs through Global Ties Kalamazoo, they join a vibrant network that sparks innovation, forges new partnerships, and builds both brand and community resilience.

Citizen diplomacy isn’t reserved for world leaders or global capitals. Here in Kalamazoo, every resident has the opportunity to build cross-cultural friendships and learn from people whose lives are both different and deeply relatable—just by saying yes to a new connection.

Global Engagement Intern Sofía Hartman shares reflections on what she has learned working and growing with Global Ties Kalamazoo.

You can help keep international exchange in Kalamazoo. Contact your representatives regarding federal funding of exchange programs.