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Connecting International Leaders to the Heartland

Professional Exchange Programs

Build connections with international leaders

Annually, Global Ties KC welcomes over 450 professional leaders from over 100 countries to Kansas City to participate in professional exchange programming on a variety of topics.

While in Kansas City, Global Ties KC coordinates their professional program including meetings with leaders in their field, cultural activities such as museums, festival visits, etc, along with their accommodations and transportation.

In most cases visitors cannot apply to come to the United States on these programs, but are hand-picked by US embassies all over the world to participate. 

These programs provide an opportunity for businesses and organizations in the Heartland to build connections with global leaders and share best practices to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Global Ties KC is the only organization in Kansas and Western Missouri with access to these Department of State-facilitated groups.

Dive into each of our programs below!

 

You can interact with our visitors!

How you can get involved

1. Open up your office and meet with international visitors in your field. If you are interested in professional meetings with international leaders, send us a message on our contact us form.

2. Some of our programs have dinner hosting opportunities. We regularly send out these opportunities in our newsletters. If you are interested in a specific opportunity, be sure to respond there.

3. Some programs require visitors to stay with local families for 1-2 weeks. If you are interested in these opportunities, please fill out the host family interest form below!

4. Attend an event with our visitors!

Steps to Become a Host:

1. Fill out the interest form, then Global Ties KC will follow-up via email.

2. Household members over 18 fill out a background check form.

3. A Global Ties KC staff member visit you at your home for an in-person meet-and-greet.

4. Hosts attend orientation session and complete a host family profile for Global Ties KC to send to your visitors.

5. Once everything is complete and acceptance has been issued, you receive program & visitor information closer to the start date!

 

 

International Visitor Leadership Program

The Department of State's flagship international exchange program, Global Ties KC has hosted visitors on the IVLP program for over 70 years.

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

The premier fellowship program for young entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere. These visitors stay in our community for over a month partnering with local businesses.

Open World Program

A Congressional exchange program for Eurasian leaders to explore US culture and witness democracy-building in action.

Community Connections

A recently turned virtual exchange program to support post-soviet nations as they transition to more democratic and free market-oriented societies.

ABOUT OUR PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

Frequently Asked Questions

Global Ties KC creates an individualized agenda for each program to provide insight into participant professional best practices, based on program content objectives. Through meetings and site visits, participants are obtaining knowledge on how to better serve their communities back home.

A Global Ties KC staff member will be on call 24/7 during program. All exchange participants have medical insurance during the program. Hosts are not responsible for co-pay costs. Any non-emergency medical issues will be handled by Global Ties KC, typically during work hours. For evening/weekend emergencies, we will be your first point of contact and work with you to ensure appropriate care.

Whatever you would like! A critical part of this program is that the participants get to immerse themselves in everyday American life. Whether you are a family on the go and take them with you, or you’re a family that stays in for movie nights – we hope visitors walk away feeling like a member of your household. There is no pressure to go above and beyond to keep them entertained 24/7; oftentimes, they appreciate some relaxing after a long program day.

Each family can take up to two visitors in their household. It has been noted that oftentimes (when possible) hosts have a more impactful and easier host experience when they host two visitors together. It helps everyone feel more comfortable quicker. We recognize that it isn’t an option for everyone though, since it requires two separate beds.

Interested in professional program hosting?

Get in touch with us today! Email Sarah with questions or submit an application!

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