Current Programs
IJAB/CIP German Social Worker Exchange Program
Please join us in welcoming 4 social workers from Germany participating in the IJAB/CIP fellowship that’s our longest-running exchange program.
This home-hosted group will be in Kalamazoo August 29-October 26, and we’re still seeking home hosts! Learn more by emailing us at info@globaltieskzoo.org.
LAYA- Latin American Youth Ambassadors
We have thirteen Latin American Youth Ambassadors from Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica coming to Kalamazoo from October 24- November 4.
We are seeking overnight home hosts.
YAP Haiti
Virtual program with youth from Haiti.
There will be opportunities for virtual home hospitality.
Fentanyl and Protecting Public Health- A Multi-Regional Project
A group of ten public health officials from all over the world, traveling with two liaisons, came to Kalamazoo from Thursday, October 9 to Wednesday, October 15.
Building Resilient and Varied Supply Chains- a Multi-Regional project
A group of twelve participants, traveling with two liaisons, is coming to Kalamazoo from Thursday, October 9, to Wednesday, October 15.
There are opportunities for dinner hospitality on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12.
Entrepreneurship as the Engine of Prosperity and Stability— A program for Africa
A group of seventeen entrepreneurs from Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, The Gambia, and Zambia traveled with four interpreters to Kalamazoo from September 23-27.
Advancing Security
This program will brought 10 from Eurasia, including: Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine. Participants travelled with 2 interpreter/liaisons.
Technology Innovators: Artificial Intelligence-- A Program for Bhutan
A group of four AI advocates from Bhutan came to Kalamazoo from Thursday, September 11, to Wednesday, September 17.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
This program brought entrepreneurs to Kalamazoo.
Enhancing Research Security
We brought five participants with two liaisons to Kalamazoo from Sat, Aug 14 - Wed, Aug 20, 2025
Advocacy through Social Media
A regional program for Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). 11 participants including Algerians, Iraqis, Jordanians, Palestinians, and Saudi Arabians were in Kalamazoo, traveling with three liaison/interpreters.
Empowering Youth through Workforce Development IVLP -- A Regional Program for Africa
This program brought twenty-four participants from Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, traveling with five liaisons, to Kalamazoo from July 20-23.
WEAmericas Program: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs IVLP- A Program for Latin America
This program brought sixteen women entrepreneurs from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay, traveling with four Interpreters, to Kalamazoo from July 9-15.
Increasing Access to Library Services- A Program for Lithuania
This program brought ten librarians from Lithuania with two liaisons.
U.S. Approaches to State and Local Government IVLP- A Project for Ukraine
This program brought five mayors from cities across Ukraine to engage with local government in Kalamazoo.
Enhancing Disaster Resilience Through Advanced Recovery and Mitigation Techniques IVLP — A Program for Canada
This program brought four participants from Canada, with one liaison, to Kalamazoo from June 5-11.
Strategic Communications for Community Organizations IVLP-- A Program for Georgia
This program brought four communication leaders from Georgia with two interpreters to Kalamazoo from May 28-31.
Advancing Security IVLP- A Program for Indonesia
This program brought twelve security practitioners from Indonesia.
Engaging Youth in Economic Development
This program brought six young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Georgia. They had amazing professional meetings, explored South Haven and were treated to fine home hospitality in Vicksburg on Sunset Lake. Meetings included Room 35, Layla’s Cool Pops, a tour of the Mill project in Vicksburg, Start Up Zoo and Kalamazoo Forward Ventures. Thank you so much to everyone!
Women in Peace, Reconciliation, and Governance IVLP — A Program for Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
This program brought nine leaders from Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia with two liaisons to Kalamazoo from May 7-12.
Opportunities for Innovation and Partnership in Higher Education
This program brought seven university administrators and educators from Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela to Kalamazoo on April 21-23.
Sustainable Tourism as an Economic Engine IVLP --A program for Algeria
This program brought four leaders from Algeria to Traverse City November 22-27.
Empowering Marathi Journalists for Impactful Reporting IVLP -- A program for Indigenous journalists from India
Empowering Marathi Journalists for Impactful Reporting IVLP — A program for Indigenous journalists from India — brought 6 leaders and two liaisons to Kalamazoo Nov. 13-19. Photos from this program are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321387036/
Women in STEM in the Quad IVLP -- Leaders from the Indo-Pacific
Women in STEM in the Quad IVLP brought leaders from the Indo-Pacific to Kalamazoo Nov. 7 - 13. The photo album for this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321386956/with/54127349541/
Combating Trafficking in Persons IVLP — Leaders from Thailand
Combating Trafficking in Persons IVLP brought our leaders from Thailand to Kalamazoo Nov. 5 - 9. Thanks so much to Nadine for hosting them for a meal in your home, and to their professional peers in our community who met with this great group. Photos from this program are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321406824/
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – New and Traditional Broadcast Media IVLP - 26 leaders from all over the world
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – New and Traditional Broadcast Media IVLP brought leaders from around the world (and several accompanying liaisons) to Kalamazoo Nov. 3 - 6. Thanks so much to everyone who welcomed this incredible group into your workplace/school and home/neighborhood. The photo album for this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321406699
Haitian Youth Ambassadors
The Haitian Youth Ambassadors brings 15 participants to Kalamazoo virtually Oct. 30 - Nov. 3. There are virtual hospitality opportunities for this online, French-speaking program.
Latin American Youth Ambassdors (LAYA)
Latin American Youth Ambassadors (LAYA) took place in Kalamazoo Oct. 26 - Nov. 5. Photos from this Spanish-speaking, home-hosted program are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321406559/
Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities IVLP -- 10 Leaders from Greece
Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities IVLP brought 10 leaders from Greece with two liaisons and an accommodation assistant to Kalamazoo Oct 23-26. The photo album from this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720321386816/
Innovative Leadership in Higher Education and Workforce Development IVLP - Leaders from Asia
Innovative Leadership in Higher Education and Workforce Development IVLP brought leaders from Asia to Kalamazoo Oct. 9-11. The photo album for this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720320837310/
Promoting Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms IVLP -- Leaders from Switzerland.
Promoting Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms IVLP brought leaders from Switzerland. to Kalamazoo Oct. 8 and 9. The photo album for this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720320837171/
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – New and Traditional Broadcast Media IVLP
Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – New and Traditional Broadcast Media IVLP brought 22 leaders from 19 countries to Kalamazoo, along with 3 liaisons. The photo album from this program is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/cikalamazoo/albums/72177720320421172/
IJAB/CIP German Social Worker Exchange Program
We hope you’ll join us in welcoming 4 social workers from Germany participating in the IJAB/CIP fellowship that’s our longest-running exchange program. This home-hosted group will be in Kalamazoo September 4 – October 30, and we’re still seeking hosts for the month of September! Email us at info@globaltieskzoo.org.