Professional Exchanges

Passionate individuals from around the globe in a variety of fields are working to define new trajectories for their communities. Their important work offers them the chance to meet face-to-face with counterparts across the United States.

Global Minnesota is proud to be a leader in professional exchange opportunities that bring people from around the world together to share ideas and best practices in order to build a brighter future for all.

Exchanges that Matter

Working with local experts across disciplines, we produce a broad spectrum of engaging and informative meetings, workshops, volunteer activities, and site visits to ensure each exchange program has a meaningful impact. And whether it’s regional trade issues, countering gender-based violence, or election reform and journalism, the program topic explored is as diverse as the participants themselves, who find their way to Minnesota through a variety of paths.

International Visitor Leadership Program

We host more than 400 exchange visitors annually through the International Visitor Leadership Program – IVLP, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by Global Minnesota. Program participants, who are emerging global leaders, travel to the United States for short-term exchange programs designed to build understanding between professionals from abroad and local communities. As a member of Global Ties U.S., a national nonprofit partner of the U.S. Department of State, Global Minnesota serves as the state’s premier coordinator of the International Visitor Leadership Program and is one of the top member-based organizations to host participants.

Custom Exchange Programs

We partner with public and private institutions to create custom professional exchange opportunities that bring individuals from different parts of the world together to examine global challenges. We have designed short-term exchange programs for the Fulbright Program, the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative, the U.S. Embassy in Norway, and the Foreign Service Institute, among others.

Contact the Professional Exchanges Manager, to learn how Minnesota’s professional networks can be part of the global exchange experience.

Create Global Connections

Meet leading individuals from around the world who are driving global change while learning from Minnesotans on a local level. International exchange participants are eager to connect with community members professionally and socially – including you! 

Create Global Connections


Thank You Program Partners