2025 is filled with uncertainty, and no visitors to Kalamazoo - yet
Five years ago this week, we were scrambling to send people home before international borders shut down (the last flights were on March 13). Who could imagine that five years later, following a 2024 with an endless stream of incredible visitors to Kalamazoo, and no public health crisis, we would find ourselves in mid-March and have hosted not a single person or program in 2025. To date, all of our scheduled international exchanges to Kalamazoo have been canceled or postponed. This is directly related to funding freezes and uncertainty. You can read more on that below and take action.
For now, we know who we are and what we stand for – Exchange is for Everybody, and it can change lives and communities through the meaningful connections forged and ideas generated. The most recent three Kalamazoo exchanges were outbound – three YLAI field placements traveled to their 2024 fellows in Peru, Bolivia, and Trinidad and Tobago. YLAI fellows will not be coming in 2025, a painful new development, but here we are.
Read about Sarkozy Bakery’s escapades in Trinidad and Tobago
A film project is underway with Public Media Network in Bolivia
Coming soon, more on Room 35’s time in Peru
Experiences like these are why we do what we do, and we’ve been doing it for 54 years.
Nothing has changed about the power of what we do, its value to our community, and the future remains bright. Please keep doing exchange, in all the ways you are engaged, and together, we will make great things happen.
Read on for the call to action, a bit more 2024 in review, and great testimonials that speak to the tremendous value of what we do in our community.
Call to Action
The U.S. Department of State’s funding freeze has extended beyond its initial 15-day hold, directly impacting our ability to implement crucial International Exchange and Public Diplomacy programs. We are joining Global Ties U.S.' call to action, and invite you to make your voice heard too.
After connecting nearly 400 international leaders with our community in 2024, Global Ties Kalamazoo has yet to welcome a single group in 2025 due to this funding freeze. This freeze not only impacts our organization, it means lost revenue for our local vendors, small businesses, and community partners—and most especially the missed opportunities for engagement and exchange of ideas around some of the most critical issues facing our communities, both globally and locally.
This ongoing pause means funding is not available for the more than 80 Global Ties Network affiliated organizations, including Global Ties Kalamazoo, that implement our country’s flagship International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) which is celebrating 85 years in 2025, alongside other key exchange programs that help us connect West Michigan with the world. We also know this pause risks the health, safety, and future of more than 12,500 U.S. youth, students, and professionals who are currently (or who have imminent plans to be) abroad, including on Fulbright programs, and shuts off funding for U.S. programs now hosting more than 7,400 youth, students, and professionals from around the world in U.S. communities.
Person to person diplomacy has the power to create lasting change in our communities and around the world, and we need those relationships now more than ever. When we say exchange is for everybody, we mean everybody. Please speak up, share your stories of the impact of exchange on your life, business, organization or family, and help us protect the future of international exchange.
Reflecting on 2024 with Gratitude, Hope for the Future
Number of visitors (including liaisons) 366
Number of countries (including USA): 88 (highlighted in green in map above)
Diplomacy Begins Here (DBH) Summit Kalamazoo: 150 attendees, 30 speakers
Professional resources: 525
Hospitality Participants (local meal, DBH and overnight hosts): 322
Number of Programs: 38
(IVLP, IYLEP, YLAI, YAP Brazil, LAYA, UJLEP, YAP Haiti, Open World, IJAB/CIP)
Here in these uncertain times, we look back with immense gratitude for all we've accomplished together, ready to continue making exchange accessible to everyone in Kalamazoo with your continued support. In 2024, we hosted nearly 400 visitors from 88 countries, facilitated more than 35 cultural exchange programs, and engaged hundreds of local volunteers in meaningful cross-cultural experiences. Our partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community members have helped us create lasting global connections, fostering understanding and collaboration across borders. Thank you to our incredible community for making these connections possible!
Fun Fact:
We hosted more journalists in 2024 than any other profession, welcoming seven distinct cohorts- a total of 84 individuals from dozens of countries, to connect with the rockstars that are keeping the local journalism landscape alive and thriving in Kalamazoo - a profound thank you to our local media leaders.
2024 included a variety of initiatives, from short-term exchanges to long-term fellowships. We facilitated three fellowship programs, connecting 29 emerging and established leaders with more than 25 local businesses and organizations to deepen their international connections and foster innovation. We hosted a Diplomacy Begins Here summit which brought together more than 150 attendees from Kalamazoo and across the country to explore how Kalamazoo is Building Locally Driven Solutions to Global Challenges. Local host families provided over 730 homestay nights to youth ambassadors, journalists, legal aid workers, entrepreneurs, community organizers and social workers from across the globe.
The relationships with the world that are forged in our community enrich our local businesses, help build international bridges, and celebrate the vibrant place that is Kalamazoo, Michigan.
We hope for a 2025 to rival this rich 2024 experience, even though it will start at least a quarter late...
Global Ties U.S. National Meeting
L to R: Jodi Michaels, Emma Baratta, Anna Popkova, Tom Kostrzewa and Dan Stevens at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting
Every year, we look forward to the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting—a gathering of citizen diplomats from across the country, coming together to celebrate the power of exchange, strengthen networks, and share knowledge. This year’s theme was Stronger Alliances, Stronger Communities.
It was wonderful to come together around our shared commitment to the critical importance of the work that we do. We returned from Washington, D.C. with renewed energy, fresh insights, and a deepened commitment to fostering the global and local connections that build a more peaceful world.
Kalamazoo was proudly represented, with members of our board, host community, and staff engaging in an action-packed week of advocacy, professional development, and collaboration. We served on panels talking about building trust in organizations, as well as universal design (centering accessibility and exchange for all). Our board president received recognition from the opening plenary stage – for hosting more than 400 international visitors in his home through the years (a sure undercount). A congrats to Dr. K. (Tom Kostrzewa) on the shout out, and perhaps something for all of us to aspire to – an open home, with rich conversation around the kitchen table with as many people as humanly possible – a way to make the world more connected and meaningful for us all. More photos from National Meeting below...
A Fond Farewell to Beth Clark!
L to R: Anna Popkova, Tom Kostrzewa, Alberta Brown, Beth Clark - at CanadianaFest 2024
There is more to celebrate! The years Beth Clark (pictured above at right) spent working with us, sharing our stories and brightening the days of many. This quarter we said goodbye (while we will still find many reasons to collaborate down the road) to a cherished member of our team. Beth was our social media and storytelling specialist, dedicating her time and expertise to fostering international connections. For years, Beth drove our digital presence—managing social media across multiple platforms and keeping our blog updated to ensure our global and local community stays up to date. Their deep commitment to citizen diplomacy has helped strengthen relationships between Kalamazoo and our international partners.
As Beth embarks on a new chapter, we want to recognize her many contributions. From joining the team in the midst of the pandemic to support Feed the Fight Kalamazoo, to sharing the stories of countless moments of transformation, impact, and relationships to last a lifetime with the people who make them possible, Beth worked tirelessly to showcase meaningful experiences for our community and participants. We thank Beth for their unwavering dedication and wish them all the best in their next adventure. You will always be a part of the GTKzoo family!
Welcome to the team, Emmi!
L to R: Jodi Michaels, Sofia Hartman, Emmi Smith, Emma Baratta
We are delighted to introduce our newest intern, Emmi Smith (pictured above in yellow shirt)! She is in her fourth year at Western Michigan University, majoring in Strategic Communications with minors in Marketing and International Studies. Emmi brings a wealth of creativity and passion for connecting communities through media. She has already begun contributing to our storytelling efforts, helping to craft engaging narratives that highlight the impact of our programs. From capturing game-day highlights to managing social media content, Emmi's expertise in media production is an invaluable addition to our team.
Emmi’s first few weeks have been filled with exciting projects, including assisting with content development for our blog and social media channels, and helping to coordinate upcoming events. We are so excited to see how she continues to grow in this role. Welcome aboard, Emmi!
A Blog Worth Reading: Ameth's Journey!
Ameth (front in sunglasses) with LAYA friends, here in Kalamazoo in partnership with Georgetown University
This past October, we had the privilege of hosting Ameth as part of LAYA (Latin American Youth Ambassadors), who shared insights on his experiences in Kalamazoo through a powerful blog (available in both Spanish and English). From engaging with local nonprofits to connecting with fellow exchange participants, his story is a testament to the impact of international exchange.
“This trip was not just a change of scenery or a tour of new places; it was an encounter with myself and with extraordinary people who have marked my life. Each experience, from the nights spent on bikes to the deep conversations, helped me grow and appreciate the richness of human connections.
I leave Kalamazoo with a heart full of gratitude, with friendships that I know will last beyond distance, and with a stronger, more thoughtful, and more open-minded version of myself. This trip was a reminder that every person we encounter has something to teach us, and that the simplest moments are often the most meaningful.
If there is one thing I can take with me, it is the certainty that the most valuable experiences are not those we accumulate, but those we share. And so, to all of you who were part of this journey: thank you for being part of my story.”
Ameth’s reflections on the cultural and professional growth he experienced highlight the transformative power of exchange programs. His blog offers a window into the daily experiences of our visitors and the connections formed within our community.
This space would normally include upcoming opportunities to engage with international visitors in Kalamazoo. There will be opportunities soon, but not today. If ensuring that #ExchangeIsForEverybody matters to you, we invite you to consider supporting our work. Click the button below to donate, or text GTKZOO to 44321.
Thank you for reading, and for your support,
Jodi Hope Michaels and the Global Ties Kalamazoo Team
