Event Highlight: Global Social Hour

On September 24, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted our Global Social Hour, a Dinner Diplomacy event for 35 local community members and 20 international visitors on the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on Global Economic Cooperation. 🎉

Thanks to the support of Marriott International and Global Ties U.S., this unforgettable evening allowed us to introduce diverse local communities to our global engagement opportunities and build connections through meaningful conversations over delicious food from San Francisco staple La Méditerranée.

The energy in the room was palpable. Everybody was so happy to be there, meet new people, exchange stories of global engagement, and learn about our organization and how they can get involved in Citizen Diplomacy right here in our community.

Most of the local attendees had not heard of Global Ties San Francisco before the event but left inspired and eager to engage globally afterward. As further testament to the event’s success, several community members expressed interest in getting involved with us, especially as Home Hospitality Hosts. One attendee was so excited by the prospect that she was already brainstorming meals to cook by the end of the evening! 🏠🍽️

A heartwarming sentiment expressed by a few attendees was that although the event seemed a bit out of their comfort zone at first, something about it called to them. Taking a leap of faith, they resolved themselves to come — and were deeply glad they had.

Attendee reflections captured during the event reveal more about the transformative impact of international exchange, travel, and cross-cultural engagement:

• “Gave me friends worldwide!”
• “Showed me it’s okay to be multicultural and different, gave me confidence and a firm standing in this world.”
• “It made me grow professionally and as a person.”
• “I always treasure the time with great people! Always treasure the connections.”
• “Showed me there is no ‘right’ way to live! All experiences are valid.”
• “Shown how to do a lot of good with only a little investment!”
• “It speaks to one shared humanity and when we get it right in any sphere, we are better for it. Communication with cultural spice is the best!”
• “It tells the common understanding of love and humanity.”
• “Learnt things from different perspectives. Valuable exposure indeed.”
• “Diplomacy is the answer.”
• “It’s the best opportunity to learn about other cultures, have new networking, find new friends for business or fun.”
• “Diplomacy is the best tool to achieve the best possible outcomes in the world.”

These moments highlight the power of cross-cultural interactions to foster unbridled excitement and encourage personal growth through unexpected yet welcomed connections.

At Global Ties San Francisco, we are committed to expanding access to enriching global engagement opportunities right here in the Bay Area. We have the unique ability to bring the world to your doorstep, creating meaningful international experiences in an easy and low-stakes way. Cross-cultural interactions have a profound impact on everyone involved, and it’s important to us that more people in our community can experience these benefits.

A community-based nonprofit and partner of the U.S. Department of State, Global Ties San Francisco engages in international diplomacy at the local level to promote peace and cross-cultural understanding.

Each year, we welcome over 700 current and future world leaders and changemakers to the San Francisco Bay Area on international exchange programs and engage hundreds more volunteers in community service to support this work. These Citizen Diplomats who help power our work are civic and business leaders, athletes, scientists, educators, students, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home parents, and more.