PROFESSIONAL
EXCHANGES

Emerging global leaders from Eastern Europe, female entrepreneurs from sub-Saharan Africa, and innovative business leaders from Southeast Asia. Our Professional Exchanges program brings them all to Philadelphia to hone their skills! Learn from these international visitors and help welcome them to Philadelphia by becoming a citizen diplomat.

GET INVOLVED

  • Embrace global culinary experiences by becoming a dinner host. Share a meal with international visitors and create cultural connections in just one evening
  • Open your spare room to the world by becoming a homestay host. In this role, you have the opportunity to host international visitors during their stay in Philadelphia, creating a mutual exchange of learning and cultural understanding.
  • Harness the power of international collaboration by becoming a workplace host! Welcome an international professional fellow into your workplace for a four-week internship. From small independently operated businesses to our city’s largest law firms, we can all benefit from having a global perspective at work.
  • Embark on a professional journey abroad – grab your passport! Through two-way exchanges, you have the chance to be nominated for travel to one of our professional fellows’ countries.
World Affairs professional exchanges

OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

International exchanges usually bring visitors to Philadelphia for 4-10 days, while professional fellowships extend for 3-4 weeks. Explore further to discover the various exchange programs we facilitate.
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. American embassies abroad nominate current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields to participate in short-term exchanges in the U.S. the goal of public diplomacy is to connect IVLP visitors with non-profit, business, and civic leaders in the Philadelphia region to spark meaningful dialogue and collaboration. More than 500 IVLP participants are current or former heads of foreign heads of state or government.

Professional Fellows Program is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from Europe, Eurasia, Southeast Asia and the United States. Participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. Annually Philadelphia hosts 4-9 Fellows each year.

Sports Visitor Program brings youth athletes, coaches, and administrators from around the world to the United States for sports-based exchanges that address U.S. embassy and consulate priorities and U.S. foreign policy goals.

Edward R. Murrow Program brings emerging international journalists from around the world to examine journalistic practices in the Philadelphia region and United States.

The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship Program is a two-way exchange program for emerging entrepreneurs. We are partners to World Chicago to host 6-9 fellows in Philadelphia.

Open World Program brings emerging leaders from Eurasian countries including Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan to the United States with their professional counterparts on topics including accountable governance, American judicial system, women as leaders, NGO development and management, public health, economic development, and the environment.

Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions.  More than 130 of the brightest scholars from around the world are eager to see the real Philadelphian during their visit.

Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders brings young leaders from sub-Saharan African countries to the United States each year for academic coursework and leadership training with the goal of creating unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put new skills to practical use in leading organizations, communities, and countries.

EXCHANGES FOR
US CITIZENS

Interested in learning and growing professionally abroad? Visit the ECA’s Exchange Program Finder to get started on your own professional exchange journey.

BECOME A HOST

Whether you choose to welcome guests to a dinner, offer your home as a homestay host, or serve as a work stay host, Professional Exchanges provide a valuable opportunity to embody the role of a citizen diplomat.

QUESTIONS?

To learn more about professional exchanges, visit our FAQ page.

QUESTIONS?

To learn more about professional exchanges, visit our FAQ page.

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State
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VOLUNTEER

Welcome our international guests to
Philadelphia by becoming a host!

VOLUNTEER

Welcome our international guests to Philadelphia by becoming a host!

VOLUNTEER

Welcome our international guests to Philadelphia by becoming a host!
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