1. Tolis of Greece Returns for an Encore

   "One of the highlights on my trip was my meeting with Howard Schwartz, the organizer of the top Hip Hop dance event in the world, Hip Hop International, and the producer of the television show America’s Best Dance Crew."

2. Home Host Exceeds Expectations as a Citizen Diplomat

   Over the past 11 years, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants from all around the world have walked through Anita Bevan’s front doors. Anita lives by a quote displayed in her Reno, Nevada home, “May all who enter as guests leave as friends.”

3. Joannie of Benin Becomes a Leader

   When the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou nominated Joannie Bewa to attend the International Visitor Leadership Program’s (IVLP) “Young African Leaders” with 19 of her colleagues from across Africa, she jumped at the chance to gain a better perspective of U.S. culture and policy.

4. Turkmenistan Participant Connects with Disabilities Organizations

   In his home country of Turkmenistan, Ibragim Nurjanov has been a tireless advocate for the well-being of people with disabilities, both as a sports trainer and as a participant in the Democracy Commission. As such, he was a natural candidate for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on the topic of “Promoting Disability Rights.”

5. Hosting Exchanges for 30 Years, and Still Learning

   "My hope is to remain involved with the IVLP program until I can no longer do so, as it has – and continues to be – an extraordinary gift in my life.”

6. Chance Encounters Lead to New Possibilities for Yolanda

   “I need to do something!” Rueda said to the U.S. Ambassador to Spain after meeting him at a volunteer award conference. “ The ambassador, taken by Yolanda’s passion to help others, recommended her for a VolVis International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Just a few months later, Yolanda came to the United States on a volunteerism and social innovation-focused IVLP with another Spanish colleague.

7. Ramma Explores Journalism in America

8. Food Diplomacy Brings Egyptian Culinary Professional to the Table for a Taste of America

   Through strong, long-term relationships with food, beverage, and equipment companies, Ashraf has generated funds to make the organization ground zero for the exchange of information and services among chefs, and Egypt’s premier source of culinary knowledge and training.

9. African Disability Rights Advocates

   From the moment Musa Zulu of South Africa stepped off of the airplane at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., the level of accessibility impressed him, including the lifts installed on public buses. He also noted how in South Africa, traditionally the government and non-profit actors are the primary advocates for the rights of disabled people. He said it is evident that in the United States, the private sector has embraced disability rights.

10. Exchange Generates Ideas for Preserving Mali’s Rich Cultural Heritage

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