• are sponsored by the U.S. Government through the U.S. Department of State (USDS).
• are established or potential leaders in various fields who are selected by USDS and U.S. Embassies abroad to visit the United States for 21 days to share their expertise.
• are, through a private programming agency, sent to five cities and towns where they confer with colleagues and have an in-depth exposure to the U.S., its culture and its people.
• are accompanied by a USDS interpreter, if they do not speak English.
285 Current and Former Chiefs
of State or Heads of Government Are Alumni of the
IVLP
• Frederick W. DeKlerk of South Africa
• Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown of United
Kingdom
• Willie Brandt and Helmut Schmidt of Germany
• Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan
USDS IVLP Grantees Are Sent to
the Rock River Valley
• to have the opportunity of living with an American family
for one to three days or sharing an evening meal in a home.
• to be exposed to a small community.
• to be exposed to agriculture on a family farm.
• to view industry in a small town setting.
• to compare three contrasting school systems – unit
district, dual district and parochial schools.
• to compare and contrast two forms of city government.
• to learn about volunteerism and to have “hands-on”
opportunities to participate.
• to view Non-Government Organizations “up close”.
• to enjoy historic and scenic Northern Illinois.
Rock Falls High School students pose with an Iranian
Young Leader after a group panel presentation.
“The home stay was an extremely nice experience. It was so refreshing to be at a warm, caring home, in a beautiful, quiet environment, after the noise and buildings of New York City."
Indonesian IVLP participants enjoy an outdoor meal with
their host family.
“I had a wonderful home stay. Although my host family both worked regular jobs, they took great efforts to make me feel at home and to welcome me as a member of their large, warm and loving family.”
“The most helpful appointment was the Self Help center where we saw how they engage the disabled people in jobs and activities.”