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Intern Spotlight: Amina Bakiyeva

Meet Our Fall 2025 Intern!

Meet our International Programs intern Amina Bakiyeva, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights at San José State University.

Her journey into international affairs began when she moved to the U.S. from Kazakhstan at the age of 13. Growing up in two culturally diverse environments sparked her passion for foreign languages and international politics. Throughout her academic career, she has studied multiple foreign languages, conducted research on international relations issues, and led culture-based organizations on campus.

With this foundation, Amina was eager to join Global Ties San Francisco, as its efforts to foster mutual understanding and support subnational diplomacy through cultural and professional exchange align closely with her interests. During her internship, she hopes to gain valuable skills and connections that will prepare her for a future career in diplomacy and international affairs.

“I am looking forward to contributing to the International Visitor Leadership Program, where I will help facilitate important exchanges that create lasting connections between foreign leaders and American communities.”

Outside of her academic and professional interests, Amina enjoys gymnastics, taekwon-do, dancing, hiking, reading, and spending time with her two cats, Lily and Evie.

Welcome to the intern team, Amina!

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Intern Spotlight: Giovanna Basso

Meet Our Fall 2025 Intern!

Meet our International Programs intern Giovanna Basso, who graduated in May 2025 from Minerva University with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a concentration in political science.

As part of Minerva’s global education program, Giovanna lived and studied in seven countries, gaining firsthand experience in cultural diplomacy. From throwing paint during Holi in India and dancing the Argentine tango, to sharing aspirations during a lantern festival in Taipei and sleeping in a traditional Korean Hanok house, she embraced the diverse cultures and perspectives that shape our world.

Now, as an intern at Global Ties San Francisco, she is excited to help ensure that visitors to San Francisco have the best exchange experience possible—one that will leave them as captivated by the city as she was.

“During my internship, I am most looking forward to experiencing the unique dynamics of international diplomacy at the local level as Global Ties San Francisco hosts international delegations in the Bay Area. I am eager to explore how everyday people contribute to U.S. diplomacy efforts, and how countries with more traditional approaches to diplomacy can gain insights from public diplomacy.”

For her undergraduate capstone, Giovanna explored the intersection of etiquette and diplomacy. She plans to continue her education in international relations and ultimately pursue a career with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the protocol department, where she hopes to create meaningful experiences for visiting dignitaries.

In addition to her interests in global affairs, Giovanna enjoys reading, swimming, and experimenting with cooking.

Welcome to the intern team, Giovanna!

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Intern Spotlight: Genevieve Whitford

Meet Our Summer 2025 Intern!

Meet Genevieve Whitford, one of our International Programs interns this summer. Originally from Australia, Gen currently studies International Relations at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Drawn to Global Ties San Francisco’s aim to connect global leaders with local innovation, Gen saw the internship as an exciting opportunity to contribute to cross-cultural dialogue while gaining an understanding of the inner workings of diplomacy, exchange, and globally connected initiatives.

“The chance to contribute to meaningful cross-cultural dialogue while gaining practical insight into how international partnerships are built particularly appealed to me. I am also drawn to San Francisco as a city and wanted to spend my summer somewhere dynamic and exciting!”

During her time with Global Ties San Francisco, she is looking forward to building meaningful connections, exploring California’s rich cultural and historical landscape, and being part of a team at the forefront of international engagement.

One of Gen’s greatest adventures to date was moving to Munich, Germany during her gap year — sparking her passion for travel, cultural exchange, and a future in diplomacy.

Welcome to the intern team, Gen!

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Intern Spotlight: Lily Langley

Meet Our Spring 2025 Intern!

Meet Lily Langley, one of our International Programs interns this spring. Lily recently graduated from the University of San Francisco, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a concentration in Global Politics and Societies and a regional focus in Europe, as well as a minor in German Studies.

“During this internship, I am most looking forward to gaining experience with an organization dedicated to international affairs and diplomacy. I am also eager to discover and promote the Bay Area’s diverse expertise to the global community, helping foster cross-cultural connections and the exchange of ideas.”

Lily’s passion for languages, diplomacy, tourism, and international relations drew her to Global Ties San Francisco. At USF, she deepened her academic interests in language and global politics, and her time abroad inspired her to continue engaging with new cultures. She is excited that this internship program allows her to explore these interests further in a professional setting.

Outside of work, Lily enjoys going to the movies, crafting, and reading. She especially likes books with compelling protagonists, creative retellings, and unique settings.

Welcome to the intern team, Lily!

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Intern Spotlight: Valleigh Brechtel

Meet Our Spring 2025 Intern!

Meet Valleigh Brechtel, one of our International Programs interns this spring. A Political Science major at Westmont College, Valleigh brings a deep interest in international diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding to her role.

This internship stood out to her for its strong emphasis on international relations and the unique opportunity to engage with people from around the world.

“I’ve always been interested in pursuing a career that contributes to global peace and allows me to learn about different cultures and countries. […] Engaging with people outside the United States highly intrigues me, as it deepens my understanding of global issues and how international engagement can drive peace.”

During her time with Global Ties San Francisco, she is most looking forward to expanding her knowledge of international diplomacy and gaining a deeper understanding of how different international policies function.

Valleigh’s most memorable adventure to date was taking a half gap-year to Central America after graduating high school early, solo backpacking through Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. The journey challenged and shaped her in many ways — whether surfing big waves, enduring 11-hour bus rides, or staying in 16-bed shared hostels. Moreover, living with local host families gave her meaningful insights into other cultures, an experience that further fueled her passion for advancing international understanding.

In her spare time, Valleigh enjoys art, traveling, surfing, and cooking.

Welcome to the intern team, Valleigh!

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A Letter from Our President and CEO, Kevin Mather

As 2024 draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I reflect on an extraordinary year for Global Ties San Francisco. This year, we welcomed 529 international visitors from 136 countries, creating countless opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and collaboration through our international exchange programs.

By fostering dialogues on critical global topics — from cybersecurity and entrepreneurship to climate action and human rights — our programs have built bridges across borders and strengthened San Francisco’s role as a hub for citizen diplomacy.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible team and interns, the support of our partners, and the generosity of our Home Hospitality community.

As I prepare to step down as President and CEO of World Trade Center Northern California /Global Ties San Francisco, I am deeply humbled by the experiences we’ve shared and the impact we’ve achieved together. It has been a privilege to lead this organization and to witness the power of diplomacy in action. I am confident that the dedicated team at Global Ties San Francisco will continue to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the years to come.

Thank you to our supporters, partners, and community for making this journey so meaningful. While I may be stepping away from my role, I will always remain a proud champion of the work we do here at Global Ties San Francisco.


With warm regards and best wishes for the new year,

Kevin Mather
President/CEO
Global Ties San Francisco
World Trade Center Northern California

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Our 2024 Exchange Program Portfolio

Review all our 2024 international exchange delegations and highlights.

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Become a Home Hospitality Host in 2024

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.

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