The Global Ties U.S. Community Impact Study is the only study of its kind to focus on the domestic benefits local people and organizations derive through participating in exchange programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Now it its second year, the 2024 Community Impact Study confirms last year’s findings that U.S. participation in exchange programs like the IVLP generates positive impacts for U.S. workforce development, community-building, and global competency.
The 2024 study received responses from 773 people from 53 local organizations in 28 states, covering every geographic region of the United States. Respondents have decades of combined experience hosting international leaders through exchange programs. This year’s study also included new qualitative questions to expand on the findings from the quantitative data.
Specifically, the 2024 study revealed that hosting global leaders through international exchange programs:
- Increases global knowledge and cultural competence, with upwards of 82% of respondents reporting that exchanges humanize global affairs and inspire curiosity about the world. As one respondent noted: “Citizen diplomats make foreign policy local through face-to-face interaction. […] My world has been both expanded thanks to the IVLP program and made smaller thanks to friendly interactions with visitors.”
- Encourages local civic and community engagement, with 72% saying that they have gained skills or experiences that make them better able to contribute to their local communities. Said a respondent: “Our experiences have opened up community conversations between the city and stakeholders from different cultures. As a result, we are seeing increased civic participation.”
- Positively impacts cities’ economies and develops workforces for local businesses, with 79% responding that the image of their community is enhanced because of these programs and 75% agreeing that participating has enhanced the prestige of their organization or their own personal reputation. “I have seen how my community benefits from the IVLP program and other exchange programs…. Visitors spend money in my community, while sharing best practices with their American colleagues,” a respondent shared.
- Increases international connectivity for U.S. cities, with almost one in three respondents (29%) stating that they have formed lasting personal or business relationships with international leaders. “In the world I grew up in, the Pioneer Press or Minneapolis Star Tribune was as big as my world got. Now I have contacts in far corners of the world at my fingertips,” explained a respondent.
The 2024 Global Ties U.S. Community Impact Study was led by Cherie Saulter, Ph.D., and builds upon preliminary findings from a February 2023 study carried out in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy. Research was funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Global Ties U.S. in collaboration with local Community-Based Members across the United States.
What’s Next
Phase 3 of the Community Impact Study will take place in 2026, with plans to continue the Study on a biannual (every two years) cycle.
Over time, we expect our findings to point to steady indications of local impact of international exchanges, underscoring the value of these programs in building both stronger alliances globally and stronger communities here at home.