“See You Soon, Reno” by Andrea Almeida, YLAI Alum from Ecuador

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YLAI Fellows Bonding

Andrea Almeida is the founder Ethniessence Cia. Ltda. She is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI focuses on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. Now that our stay in Reno is coming to an end, I want to share with you a little bit of my personal experience… I believe that us having arrived in...

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The Truth Wins Hearts and Minds: Journalist Exchange Shifts Views of U.S.

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Murrow participants from Africa work with a University of Minnesota student to make banners for the Gophers game that afternoon. Photo by Cynthia Norcross Willson

The world has never needed truth more than it does today, Secretary of State John Kerry remarked to a group of journalists earlier this month. His remarks came in early November 2016 at the beginning of the U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, a 3-week professional exchange for journalists from around the world. Journalists are our truth-tellers and purveyors of nuance in a world becoming increasingly polarized. Continue  

“The Impacts of Exchange Programs in My Life” by Massolian Fahnbulleh, A Liberian Let Girls Learn Participant

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Massa and her colleagues on the Let Girls Learn Exchange Program, visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.

My name is Massa and I am from Liberia. This is actually a real experience about my life. I never thought I could be outspoken and participatory until I went on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program because I used to be a very shy person. But when I went to the U.S. for the one year program in 2011, I learned how to speak in public, do PowerPoint presentations, and cultural presentations in front of audiences. I also learned how to sing and dance in my American high school. Then came the “Let Girls Learn” program...

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“My YLAI 2016 Experience” by Quamme Joseph, YLAI Alum from Grenada

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YLAI Alumni, Charlotte cohort 2016

Quamme Joseph is the Founder of Blue Bay International Inc in Grenada. He is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, a presidential initiative that empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. YLAI focuses on strengthening their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. On October 4, I departed Grenada to start my YLAI journey in the United States. Having already attended our embassy event in Barbados in preparation for departure and...

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Alumni TIES: Cultivating a Network of Opportunities

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Leorah McGinnis and a fellow Alumni at the

Leorah McGinnis is a 2014 alumni of the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program, a unique program designed to bring together young professionals from both the U.S. and Korea for a memorable and educational opportunity. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Exchange has allowed nearly 500 participants to build lasting cross-border relationships and better understand the legislative process, the history of U.S. – Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship. Meridian International Center has had the privilege of implementing this program for nearly 20 years, and has worked to...

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