In February, an IVLP project for Africa brought 13 enthusiastic participants from across Africa to San Francisco to take part in discussions and strategy-development regarding journalistic best practices in today’s increasingly complex information environment.
Jensen Zack is one of our spring 2024 International Visitors Programming Interns at Global Ties San Francisco.
From January 24 to 27, 2024, we enthusiastically welcomed to San Francisco our first U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegation of the year. This project on Cybersecurity Capacity Building brought together six distinguished guests from Montenegro to explore avenues for strengthening cybersecurity and resilience through local engagements with public and private sector leaders in the field.
People-to-people exchanges bring the world closer together. In 2023, Global Ties San Francisco reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to fostering global connections.
We are proud to showcase the results of our 2023 exchange program activities made possible with the support of our community and partners.
Be sure to check out these year-end reflections of our work through the lens of our newest team member!
On September 23-24, 2023, Global Ties San Francisco hosted Career Connections San Francisco, a two-day capacity-building and professional development seminar tailored for U.S. alumni of government-sponsored exchange programs. In partnership with Global Ties U.S. and the Office of Alumni Affairs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, our Technology and Entrepreneurship-themed event provided an unparalleled platform for 51 ExchangeAlumni to leverage their exchange experience and skills and to build their professional and community impact.
Through hands-on sessions on personal branding, entrepreneurship, inclusivity in tech, grant writing, and variations in career pathways, alumni attendees explored how to break into tech careers and translate their international exchange experiences to success in the workplace. Career Connections San Francisco also showcased our community and cultural centers such as San Francisco’s Chinatown — the largest and oldest in the nation — through off-site visits and an evening reception.
Global Ties San Francisco is currently accepting applications for Spring 2024 internships (fully remote and hybrid).
Embrace this opportunity to cultivate cross-cultural communication and diplomacy skills, while refining written and oral communication, research, and analytical abilities. Become a member of our team and contribute to the success of international delegation visits. Interns provide critical programmatic support through community outreach, research, representation in sessions for our visiting dignitaries, and social media content creation.
Global Ties San Francisco implements the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), along with a variety of other international exchange programs, bringing over 700 visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area annually. A core offering for our visitors that is often regarded as the most impactful part of their exchange experience is Home Hospitality—the opportunity to enjoy a meal with local residents. The success of our international exchange programs would not be possible without our amazing Citizen Diplomats who open their homes to visitors, providing a welcoming window into life in the U.S., and creating lasting memories and connections. These Citizen Diplomats, called Home Hospitality Hosts, know that nothing sets a table for mutual understanding better than sharing a meal.
Exciting news! Global Ties San Francisco is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Oli Vorster! As International Program Coordinator, Oli will play a crucial role in developing transformative experiences for international visitors on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
As part of the USA Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai, Global Ties San Francisco joined the Global Ties U.S. Network in showcasing the nation’s talent and diversity through the Youth Ambassadors and Cultural Performers programs.