Dinner Diplomacy
Meals with IVLP and other visitors all year long (see current opportunities above)
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 2025
May IVLP Women Peace Reconciliation and Governance- Eight women leaders from Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia with three liaisons to Kalamazoo from May 7-12.
May IVLP Engaging Youth in Economic Development- Six young entrepreneurs from Georgia traveling with two liaisons from May 8-13.
May IVLP Advancing Security- Twelve security practitioners from Indonesia traveling with three liaisons from May 21-27.
Email us or share your interest by taking our 2025 in person hosting survey !
Volunteer
Job Shadow/Fellowship Hosting
We’re thrilled to welcome our third cohort of Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) in 2025. Young entrepreneurs from all across the Americas, in Kalamazoo May-June, 2025
We deeply value our field placement organizations for this month-long experience in Kalamazoo. You too can offer a field placement. Contact us to learn more.
Volunteer Appreciation & Events Committee
We're seeking committee members to help us celebrate our volunteers.
Theme-based 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
“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!”
-Thom Kostrzewa