What is an IVLP?

What is an IVLP?

Each year more than 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). 

IVLP exchanges help leaders (from activists to politicians to businesspeople) in other countries visit the United States for three weeks to learn about America and network with people here. Participants meet with professional counterparts, visit U.S. public and private sector organizations related to their area of interest and expertise and participate in cultural and social activities.

There is no application for IVLP. Participants are nominated and selected annually by the staff at U.S. Embassies around the world.

Visitors typically start in Washington, D.C., then travel to three additional cities or towns that highlight the tremendous diversity of the U.S. They attend professional appointments with their American counterparts, learn about the U.S. system of government at the national, state and local levels, visit American schools, and experience American culture and social life.

Where does Sophie come in? 

Many of these visiting groups visit the State Department to meet with officials here. One of the people in my office is in charge of scheduling these visits with the groups, arranging the meetings with the State Department officials, booking the conference rooms, escorting the visitors around the building and chairing their meetings. Unfortunately, he's leaving next week! So all this will be my job until the beginning of August.... Yikes!