International Visitors Leadership Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. The visitors, who are emerging leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.

As the local administrator of the IVLP, IIE/Houston has hosted thousands of visitors representing a broad range of professional interests. Recent visitors include religious leaders from Afghanistan, museum administrators from Ecuador, a Polish veterinarian and young authors from Indonesia.

In addition to local professional meetings, the visitors frequently spend time with local IIE volunteers in a social setting, to make new friends and learn more about the American people. The connections made in these informal opportunities are often the most significant and lasting ones, and many of our volunteers remain in touch with the IVLP participants. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer activity, please contact IVLP Manager Paul Cummings by e-mail or at (713) 621-6300, extension 19.

IVLP also offers two semester-length internships, through the support of the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. For more information on these internships, click here or contact Paul Cummings by e-mail.