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Celebrating the Impact of Our 2024 Summer Interns

At Global Ties Sacramento, our summer internship program is an essential part of our mission to connect Sacramento to the world through impactful international exchange programs. This summer, our three dedicated interns played a crucial role in welcoming 89 international visitors and contributing to nine successful exchange visits as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Each Intern brings a unique set of skills and experiences that align with our mission of connecting Sacramento with the world and promoting mutual understanding.

Meet our Summer 2024 Interns

  • Benjamin Delfino joined as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from May to August 2024. A senior at University of Southern California (USC), majoring in International Relations, his volunteer community experience and passion to make meaningful experiences made him an asset to our International Exchange team.  Benjamin brought his passion for public diplomacy to life this summer.

Reflecting on his experience, he shared:

“Global Ties Sacramento has provided an incredible internship opportunity for me this summer as I helped implement their IVLP programming. As I reflect upon this time, I see the growth I’ve made as a professional and global citizen and recognize the invaluable skills I’ve gained that will help me as I begin to build my career. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to strengthen my knowledge of public diplomacy and the impact programs such as IVLP has on the visitors, the local community, and the foreign policy goals of the United States. I enjoyed my time with all the delegations the most as we were able to compare our cultures, lifestyles, and experiences, along with discussing current events throughout the world and here in the United States. Creating those connections and having a more personal understanding of other cultures has been the greatest aspect of this internship.

  • Mia Mark joined us as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from June to August 2024. A senior at Occidental College, double majoring in Diplomacy and World Affairs and Spanish, her Biliteracy in Spanish and international experience interning in Argentina was incredible valuable in our programming efforts.

Mia brought enthusiasm and insight into her internship, forging meaningful connections with international professionals and exploring the diverse sectors in Sacramento. She reflected:

“ The Global Ties Sacramento Internship has provided me with fundamental experience in my International Relations journey. Meeting with the International Visitor Leadership Program participants is by far the most rewarding part of the position. I have had the opportunity to talk politics with Civil Judges from Pakistan, share music recommendations with psychologists from Türkiye, and discuss the South American economy with investigative journalists from Brazil. I have also been exposed to so many professional resources and business models in the Sacramento Area, which has given me key insight into the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The networking skills and connections I have made are so valuable as I had the chance to put my academic skillset into practice with participants from all over the world.”

  • Mia Golden joined us as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from June to August 2024. A Rising senior at Rio Americano High School, her experience as a president in mock trial was instrumental in program development.

Mia’s contributions to IVLP programming exemplify the power of curiosity and determination. She shared:

Working to implement the IVLP as an intern with Global Ties Sacramento has been an incredible learning experience. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with delegations of wonderful, accomplished international visitors and local professionals. I’ve enjoyed learning about the differences between the systems of government, justice, and disaster response in the United States and in nations abroad. I was also surprised to learn about the wonderful organizations and resources located in my hometown when researching and drafting proposals. My time with Global Ties Sacramento has motivated me to continue to seek out ways to learn about international relations, foreign policy, and citizen diplomacy, as the experience of meeting with international professionals has been incredibly enriching and is something I hope to continue in my education and beyond.

A Bright Future Ahead

We are proud of Benjamin, Mia Mark, and Mia Golden for their dedication and contributions. They have not only supported our mission but also embodied the core values of international exchange: fostering understanding, building connections, and shaping global citizens.

We look forward to seeing their continued impact on their studies, careers, ands beyond. Thank you to our 2024 interns for making this summer an unforgettable chapter at Global Ties Sacramento.  

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IVLP Climate Initiatives from 2023

This Earth Day, we reflect on our impactful strides in environmental stewardship with three remarkable climate initiatives from last year. Read on to learn about the journey visitors from El Salvador took to San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, South Korean visitors met with the CA Air Resources Board to discuss bridging nations for a greener future and a group from Chile met with the Yurok Tribe in Eureka, CA to learn about indigenous leadership and management of protected areas.

Read more
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Women Writing Together for Social Justice: The Power of Arts and Exchange

The Power of Arts and Exchange – A Virtual Reunion

On June 29, 2021, Global Ties Sacramento hosted Women Writing Together for Social Justice: The Power of Art and Exchange, a reunion between Sacramento-based Women’s Wisdom Art and the Ugandan Women Writers Association: FEMRITE. Members of Women’s Wisdom Art and FEMRITE reconnected with us virtually to share their international exchange experience and discuss their latest joint project: a cross-cultural anthology of women’s stories. Written and illustrated by 60 women writers (30 from the United States and 30 from Uganda), the writers hope that the book will inspire and encourage women around the world to use writing and art to influence social change. Each woman is writing about the experiences of her Ugandan or American counterpart, and using the narratives to tackle important issues, such as female genital mutilation and gang violence. The amazing work done by Women’s Wisdom Art and FEMRITE has given these writers— and eventually their readers— the opportunity to heal from trauma, create lasting bonds, and illuminate women’s voices. If you missed the event, click here to watch the recording.

Thanks to everyone who attended, and to the writers for sharing their time to give us a sneak peek into some of the stories. We look forward to the finished product! Special thanks go to our featured speakers:

  • Hilda Twongyeirwe, Executive Director, FEMRITE
  • Ms. Fortunate Tusasirwe, Programs Officer, FEMRITE
  • Ali Lichtenstein, Board Chair, Women’s Wisdom Art
  • Vicky Boyd, Vice-Chair, Women’s Wisdom Art
  • Yvonne Evans, Advisory Council Member, Women’s Wisdom Art

If you are interested in becoming more involved with international exchange programs in Sacramento, please contact Kim Todd or subscribe to our mailing list.




Writing for Social Change

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project, Writing for Social Change, brought women from the Ugandan Women Writers Association: FEMRITE, to the U.S. to meet with American chttps://eca.state.gov/ivlpounterparts to examine the use of the written word to raise awareness of gender issues, empower women, and promote inclusion. While in Sacramento, the visitors met with representatives from Women’s Wisdom Art, a non-profit organization that improves women’s lives and advocates for equity and justice through art, writing, and wellness.

During this exchange, the women discussed the importance of using the creative arts to raise awareness of gender issues, influence social justice action, build confidence, and empower women. Both organizations provide a creative space for women to find their strength, gain confidence, and heal from trauma in their local communities, and were excited to share experiences. It was obvious from the first hello that a solid connection had been made and this IVLP meeting in Sacramento would not be the only time these women would interact. True friendships and a lasting partnership were formed.

Since 2019, Ali Lichtenstein, Board Chair of Women’s Wisdom Art, and Hilda Twongyeirwe, Executive Director of FEMRITE, have remained in almost constant contact. They are currently collaborating on a project with 60 women, 30 each from Uganda and the U.S., to inspire and encourage women around the world to use writing and art to influence social change.


2019 IVLP Meeting with Ugandan Visitors at Women’s Wisdom Art in Sacramento

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Environmental Activism and Citizen Diplomacy

Environmental Activism and Citizen Diplomacy

Saad Abid is an environmental activist and 2016 participant of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) from Morocco. He received the 2021 Global Ties U.S. IVLP Alumni Decade of Social Innovation and Change Award for his work, inspiring thousands of participants to take action against climate change.

Read more about Saad’s work, his reaction to receiving the award, and why he believes in the power of citizen diplomacy.

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Supporting Next Generation of Leaders

Supporting Next Generation of Leaders


Congratulations to former World Trade Center Northern California intern Evan Pearson on being selected to the 2021 Cohort of the Global Ties Emerging Leaders Program. Evan joins 19 other young leaders from around the country in this one-of-a-kind professional development program. Global Ties U.S. recognizes that today’s young leaders will be tomorrow’s changemakers, which is why they emphasize providing those interested in public diplomacy and international exchange with professional development and networking opportunities.

Evan is currently a student at UC Davis and began work as an intern with World Trade Center Northern California (WTCNC) in May 2020. He quickly became a valuable member of the team, supporting the organization’s international exchanges and diplomacy efforts, and helped WTCNC navigate the transition to virtual programs.


In addition, Evan participated in the first WTCNC Global Connections Program in July and August of 2020, engaging with international leaders about various topics of global importance, such as climate change, women’s empowerment, and bridging the tech divide. Evan’s leadership qualities shined during this program, as he was always well-prepared for the sessions, asked thoughtful and insightful questions, and took on a mentorship role with other students in the program.

WTCNC is thrilled for Evan to have this leadership development opportunity and looks forward to following his continued success!


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Emergency Planners from Italy Learn about DTSC’s Wildfire Response

Emergency Planners from Italy Learn about Wildfire Response

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) hosted a delegation of Italian government and emergency management professionals at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) headquarters in Sacramento in November 2019, turning a chance conversation at a bus stop into a very successful international event. Read more

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