Volunteer
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Dinner Diplomacy
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Host a Latin American Youth Ambassador
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Join the Board or a Committee
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Peer-to-Peer Sharing
Dinner Diplomacy
Meals with IVLP and other visitors all year long
(see current opportunities below)
Many short term visitors stay in hotels, but weekend or dinner hospitality with local people is often a major highlight of their time in this country (between 3 and 5 guests). We ask you to host a meal (homemade or otherwise), with casual conversation. (We are VERY open to a broad interpretation of this).
This gives visitors a glimpse into an aspect of U.S. culture in a home environment, and gives local people the chance to learn about life in another country. Please consider conducting citizen diplomacy from the comfort of your living room!
Meal Hospitality Opportunities Fall 2025
📅 September 20 or 21
Technology Innovators from Bhutan (4 visitors)
📅 October 11, 12, or 13 (holiday weekend, 2 groups)
Fentanyl and Global Public Health – Multi-Regional Project (12 visitors)
Building Resilient and Varied Supply Chains – Multi-Regional Project (14 visitors)
Email us or share your interest by taking our 2025 in person hosting survey !
Host a Latin American Youth Leader
Youth from all across Central America will be here in Kalamazoo from October 24 - November 4, 2025.
Open your home! Contact us to learn more.
Interested in Making a Bigger Impact?
Join Our Board of Directors
Our board members are passionate community leaders who help guide our mission, shape our strategic direction, and ensure we’re meeting the needs of all our diverse stakeholders. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to contribute your skills, experience, and vision, consider applying for a position on our board. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds who are committed to making exchange available for everyone.
Learn more about current openings and how to get involved.
Volunteer Appreciation & Events Committee
You can help celebrate the volunteers who make our programs possible by joining a committee.
Peer-to-Peer Professional Hosting
Meet with your colleagues from around the world! Our distinguished visitors are leaders in their fields, and are in the U.S. to have an exchange of ideas with counterparts in their fields. This valuable networking experience often leads to future collaboration.
Send us an email to join our Professional Resource list and we will contact you when an International Leader in your field comes to Kalamazoo
IVLP delegation from all across Africa (15 countries) after a tour of KRESA’s new Career Connect Campus in July 2025
“One evening, one kitchen table, ten distinct stories, united by efforts to communicate similarities and differences. United in the effort to make tomorrow better. This was a spectacular evening of hospitality!”
-Tom Kostrzewa