International Exchanges and Education
International Exchanges and Education
The International Institute of Buffalo’s international exchanges programs aim to build bridges between Western New York and the world. Through different programs and projects, we bring international leaders and professionals to the area to connect with local professionals to exchange knowledge and best practices. Past program topics have ranged from Human and Civil Rights, Community Based Leadership, Combating Human Trafficking, and NGO Management. These projects result in new professional collaborations and relationships and boost our local economy.
Our educational programming is designed to empower people of all ages to learn about global events, how the world is represented in Western New York, how culture affects behavior, and how to work with diverse cultures. The programs we offer promote an appreciation for diversity and offer resources to help participants engage and connect with cultures other than their own. We also offer a variety of health literacy programs for refugees and immigrants.
For more information contact May Shogan at mshogan@iibuff.org
International Visitors
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Community Partnership Program). IVLP connects emerging leaders from across the globe to their professional peers in the United States. Visitors are selected by U.S. embassies, and they come to the U.S. for three weeks, stopping in 2-4 American cities. During their time in Buffalo, we arrange their itinerary, including professional meetings, hotel and transportation, home hospitality meals, and cultural activities. We also implement IVLP virtually by facilitating professional exchange meetings over Zoom and offering virtual home hospitality conversations.
Open World is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center). The program’s goal is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Post-Soviet Bloc countries and Eurasia. These visitors spend 8-9 days in the U.S., starting their journey in Washington D.C., then staying a week in one American city. We plan Open World groups’ professional meetings, transportation, homestays, and cultural activities.
Cultural Competency
We provide a broad range of interactive virtual and in-person training opportunities that focus on how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These trainings are tailored to your business or organization’s needs, and one-on-one consultation is also offered to address specific cultural or linguistic challenges. People and organizations that have benefited from these trainings in the past include medical professionals, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, social service providers and community-based organizations, banks, and many more.
Health Literacy
The International Institute partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to increase knowledge and raise awareness in the immigrant communities about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. We conduct educational sessions using translated materials and trained interpreters. We also offer training for healthcare providers, medical professionals, and trainees to help them work effectively with the refugees and immigrants. We partner with local colleges to conduct health literacy sessions for refugees and immigrants to increase understanding of preventative medicine and how to navigate the U.S. health system.
Model United Nations
More than 550 high school students from 40 local high schools participate in the annual Model United Nations General Assembly. Students address pressing issues in international relations by writing, debating, amending, and voting on resolutions in committees that simulate those of the UN General Assembly. Students act as diplomats for the day, learning about national interests and foreign policies of other countries. Participants gain a better understanding of global security, as well as economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns that are critical to the future of our world.
Click here for information on 2023 Model UN.
Academic WorldQuest
This program brings students together from across the Western New York region to participate in an internationally focused trivia competition. Through fun competition, the students learn more about the world outside the school curriculum.
Globalkids
GlobalKids offers children (grades K-8) interactive sessions about cultures and countries around the world through dance, crafts, music, stories, books, and other activities. This program also teaches them about the immigrant and refugee experience through a simulation of a refugee camp. GlobalKids is offered to schools, homeschooled students, libraries, community centers, and other organizations. The program aims to promote sensitivity toward others, and increase the participants’ ability to interact with friends, classmates, and neighbors of different cultures.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is an eight-week lecture series held in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). The International Institute recruits experts to speak on critical foreign policy topics selected by the FPA. Included is a briefing guide to facilitate discussion among program participants. Past topics in the series include Brexit and the EU, Red Sea Security, and China’s Road into Latin America. To sign up, here is the 2023 Registration Form.
Community World Trivia
Community World Trivia is the International Exchanges and Education Department’s annual fundraiser event that helps us support our education programs. Join us for our annual evening of fun, friendly, and fierce competition. Businesses, schools, service providers, and community members compete to show off their global knowledge. This competition is usually hosted in May, stay tuned for our next date!
International Visitors
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Community Partnership Program). IVLP connects emerging leaders from across the globe to their professional peers in the United States. Visitors are selected by U.S. embassies, and they come to the U.S. for three weeks, stopping in 2-4 American cities. During their time in Buffalo, we arrange their itinerary, including professional meetings, hotel and transportation, home hospitality meals, and cultural activities. We also implement IVLP virtually by facilitating professional exchange meetings over Zoom and offering virtual home hospitality conversations.
Open World is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center). The program’s goal is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Post-Soviet Bloc countries and Eurasia. These visitors spend 8-9 days in the U.S., starting their journey in Washington D.C., then staying a week in one American city. We plan Open World groups’ professional meetings, transportation, homestays, and cultural activities.
Cultural Competency
We provide a broad range of interactive virtual and in-person training opportunities that focus on how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These trainings are tailored to your business or organization’s needs, and one-on-one consultation is also offered to address specific cultural or linguistic challenges. People and organizations that have benefited from these trainings in the past include medical professionals, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, social service providers and community-based organizations, banks, and many more.
Health Literacy
The International Institute partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to increase knowledge and raise awareness in the immigrant communities about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. We conduct educational sessions using translated materials and trained interpreters. We also offer training for healthcare providers, medical professionals, and trainees to help them work effectively with the refugees and immigrants. We partner with local colleges to conduct health literacy sessions for refugees and immigrants to increase understanding of preventative medicine and how to navigate the U.S. health system.
Model United Nations
More than 550 high school students from 40 local high schools participate in the annual Model United Nations General Assembly. Students address pressing issues in international relations by writing, debating, amending, and voting on resolutions in committees that simulate those of the UN General Assembly. Students act as diplomats for the day, learning about national interests and foreign policies of other countries. Participants gain a better understanding of global security, as well as economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns that are critical to the future of our world.
Click here for information on 2023 Model UN.
Academic WorldQuest
This program brings students together from across the Western New York region to participate in an internationally focused trivia competition. Through fun competition, the students learn more about the world outside the school curriculum.
Globalkids
GlobalKids offers children (grades K-8) interactive sessions about cultures and countries around the world through dance, crafts, music, stories, books, and other activities. This program also teaches them about the immigrant and refugee experience through a simulation of a refugee camp. GlobalKids is offered to schools, homeschooled students, libraries, community centers, and other organizations. The program aims to promote sensitivity toward others, and increase the participants’ ability to interact with friends, classmates, and neighbors of different cultures.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is an eight-week lecture series held in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). The International Institute recruits experts to speak on critical foreign policy topics selected by the FPA. Included is a briefing guide to facilitate discussion among program participants. Past topics in the series include Brexit and the EU, Red Sea Security, and China’s Road into Latin America. To sign up, here is the 2023 Registration Form.
Community World Trivia
Community World Trivia is the International Exchanges and Education Department’s annual fundraiser event that helps us support our education programs. Join us for our annual evening of fun, friendly, and fierce competition. Businesses, schools, service providers, and community members compete to show off their global knowledge. This competition is usually hosted in May, stay tuned for our next date!
International Visitors
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Community Partnership Program). IVLP connects emerging leaders from across the globe to their professional peers in the United States. Visitors are selected by U.S. embassies, and they come to the U.S. for three weeks, stopping in 2-4 American cities. During their time in Buffalo, we arrange their itinerary, including professional meetings, hotel and transportation, home hospitality meals, and cultural activities. We also implement IVLP virtually by facilitating professional exchange meetings over Zoom and offering virtual home hospitality conversations.
Open World is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center). The program’s goal is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Post-Soviet Bloc countries and Eurasia. These visitors spend 8-9 days in the U.S., starting their journey in Washington D.C., then staying a week in one American city. We plan Open World groups’ professional meetings, transportation, homestays, and cultural activities.
Cultural Competency
We provide a broad range of interactive virtual and in-person training opportunities that focus on how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These trainings are tailored to your business or organization’s needs, and one-on-one consultation is also offered to address specific cultural or linguistic challenges. People and organizations that have benefited from these trainings in the past include medical professionals, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, social service providers and community-based organizations, banks, and many more.
Health Literacy
The International Institute partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to increase knowledge and raise awareness in the immigrant communities about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. We conduct educational sessions using translated materials and trained interpreters. We also offer training for healthcare providers, medical professionals, and trainees to help them work effectively with the refugees and immigrants. We partner with local colleges to conduct health literacy sessions for refugees and immigrants to increase understanding of preventative medicine and how to navigate the U.S. health system.
Model United Nations
More than 550 high school students from 40 local high schools participate in the annual Model United Nations General Assembly. Students address pressing issues in international relations by writing, debating, amending, and voting on resolutions in committees that simulate those of the UN General Assembly. Students act as diplomats for the day, learning about national interests and foreign policies of other countries. Participants gain a better understanding of global security, as well as economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns that are critical to the future of our world.
Click here for information on 2023 Model UN.
Academic WorldQuest
This program brings students together from across the Western New York region to participate in an internationally focused trivia competition. Through fun competition, the students learn more about the world outside the school curriculum.
Globalkids
GlobalKids offers children (grades K-8) interactive sessions about cultures and countries around the world through dance, crafts, music, stories, books, and other activities. This program also teaches them about the immigrant and refugee experience through a simulation of a refugee camp. GlobalKids is offered to schools, homeschooled students, libraries, community centers, and other organizations. The program aims to promote sensitivity toward others, and increase the participants’ ability to interact with friends, classmates, and neighbors of different cultures.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is an eight-week lecture series held in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). The International Institute recruits experts to speak on critical foreign policy topics selected by the FPA. Included is a briefing guide to facilitate discussion among program participants. Past topics in the series include Brexit and the EU, Red Sea Security, and China’s Road into Latin America. To sign up, here is the 2023 Registration Form.
Community World Trivia
Community World Trivia is the International Exchanges and Education Department’s annual fundraiser event that helps us support our education programs. Join us for our annual evening of fun, friendly, and fierce competition. Businesses, schools, service providers, and community members compete to show off their global knowledge. This competition is usually hosted in May, stay tuned for our next date!
International Visitors
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Community Partnership Program). IVLP connects emerging leaders from across the globe to their professional peers in the United States. Visitors are selected by U.S. embassies, and they come to the U.S. for three weeks, stopping in 2-4 American cities. During their time in Buffalo, we arrange their itinerary, including professional meetings, hotel and transportation, home hospitality meals, and cultural activities. We also implement IVLP virtually by facilitating professional exchange meetings over Zoom and offering virtual home hospitality conversations.
Open World is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center). The program’s goal is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Post-Soviet Bloc countries and Eurasia. These visitors spend 8-9 days in the U.S., starting their journey in Washington D.C., then staying a week in one American city. We plan Open World groups’ professional meetings, transportation, homestays, and cultural activities.
Cultural Competency
We provide a broad range of interactive virtual and in-person training opportunities that focus on how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These trainings are tailored to your business or organization’s needs, and one-on-one consultation is also offered to address specific cultural or linguistic challenges. People and organizations that have benefited from these trainings in the past include medical professionals, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, social service providers and community-based organizations, banks, and many more.
Health Literacy
The International Institute partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to increase knowledge and raise awareness in the immigrant communities about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. We conduct educational sessions using translated materials and trained interpreters. We also offer training for healthcare providers, medical professionals, and trainees to help them work effectively with the refugees and immigrants. We partner with local colleges to conduct health literacy sessions for refugees and immigrants to increase understanding of preventative medicine and how to navigate the U.S. health system.
Model United Nations
More than 550 high school students from 40 local high schools participate in the annual Model United Nations General Assembly. Students address pressing issues in international relations by writing, debating, amending, and voting on resolutions in committees that simulate those of the UN General Assembly. Students act as diplomats for the day, learning about national interests and foreign policies of other countries. Participants gain a better understanding of global security, as well as economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns that are critical to the future of our world.
Click here for information on 2023 Model UN.
Academic WorldQuest
This program brings students together from across the Western New York region to participate in an internationally focused trivia competition. Through fun competition, the students learn more about the world outside the school curriculum.
Globalkids
GlobalKids offers children (grades K-8) interactive sessions about cultures and countries around the world through dance, crafts, music, stories, books, and other activities. This program also teaches them about the immigrant and refugee experience through a simulation of a refugee camp. GlobalKids is offered to schools, homeschooled students, libraries, community centers, and other organizations. The program aims to promote sensitivity toward others, and increase the participants’ ability to interact with friends, classmates, and neighbors of different cultures.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is an eight-week lecture series held in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). The International Institute recruits experts to speak on critical foreign policy topics selected by the FPA. Included is a briefing guide to facilitate discussion among program participants. Past topics in the series include Brexit and the EU, Red Sea Security, and China’s Road into Latin America. To sign up, here is the 2023 Registration Form.
Community World Trivia
Community World Trivia is the International Exchanges and Education Department’s annual fundraiser event that helps us support our education programs. Join us for our annual evening of fun, friendly, and fierce competition. Businesses, schools, service providers, and community members compete to show off their global knowledge. This competition is usually hosted in May, stay tuned for our next date!
International Visitors
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Community Partnership Program). IVLP connects emerging leaders from across the globe to their professional peers in the United States. Visitors are selected by U.S. embassies, and they come to the U.S. for three weeks, stopping in 2-4 American cities. During their time in Buffalo, we arrange their itinerary, including professional meetings, hotel and transportation, home hospitality meals, and cultural activities. We also implement IVLP virtually by facilitating professional exchange meetings over Zoom and offering virtual home hospitality conversations.
Open World is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center). The program’s goal is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Post-Soviet Bloc countries and Eurasia. These visitors spend 8-9 days in the U.S., starting their journey in Washington D.C., then staying a week in one American city. We plan Open World groups’ professional meetings, transportation, homestays, and cultural activities.
Cultural Competency
We provide a broad range of interactive virtual and in-person training opportunities that focus on how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These trainings are tailored to your business or organization’s needs, and one-on-one consultation is also offered to address specific cultural or linguistic challenges. People and organizations that have benefited from these trainings in the past include medical professionals, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, social service providers and community-based organizations, banks, and many more.
Health Literacy
The International Institute partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to increase knowledge and raise awareness in the immigrant communities about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. We conduct educational sessions using translated materials and trained interpreters. We also offer training for healthcare providers, medical professionals, and trainees to help them work effectively with the refugees and immigrants. We partner with local colleges to conduct health literacy sessions for refugees and immigrants to increase understanding of preventative medicine and how to navigate the U.S. health system.
Model United Nations
More than 550 high school students from 40 local high schools participate in the annual Model United Nations General Assembly. Students address pressing issues in international relations by writing, debating, amending, and voting on resolutions in committees that simulate those of the UN General Assembly. Students act as diplomats for the day, learning about national interests and foreign policies of other countries. Participants gain a better understanding of global security, as well as economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns that are critical to the future of our world.
Click here for information on 2023 Model UN.
Academic WorldQuest
This program brings students together from across the Western New York region to participate in an internationally focused trivia competition. Through fun competition, the students learn more about the world outside the school curriculum.
Globalkids
GlobalKids offers children (grades K-8) interactive sessions about cultures and countries around the world through dance, crafts, music, stories, books, and other activities. This program also teaches them about the immigrant and refugee experience through a simulation of a refugee camp. GlobalKids is offered to schools, homeschooled students, libraries, community centers, and other organizations. The program aims to promote sensitivity toward others, and increase the participants’ ability to interact with friends, classmates, and neighbors of different cultures.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is an eight-week lecture series held in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). The International Institute recruits experts to speak on critical foreign policy topics selected by the FPA. Included is a briefing guide to facilitate discussion among program participants. Past topics in the series include Brexit and the EU, Red Sea Security, and China’s Road into Latin America. To sign up, here is the 2023 Registration Form.
Community World Trivia
Community World Trivia is the International Exchanges and Education Department’s annual fundraiser event that helps us support our education programs. Join us for our annual evening of fun, friendly, and fierce competition. Businesses, schools, service providers, and community members compete to show off their global knowledge. This competition is usually hosted in May, stay tuned for our next date!