Change Through Exchange: Expanding Horizons
Supporting tomorrow’s leaders through today’s exchanges
We connect Northwest Florida with the world by hosting international visitors and empowering local high school students through our Youth Diplomats program. These exchanges strengthen our community by generating economic activity, enriching education, and preparing tomorrow’s workforce with the skills and civic values they need to lead. With 80% of our budget dedicated directly to program services, your support of Change Through Exchange makes a meaningful impact today and invests in the leaders of tomorrow.
You can contribute via Venmo, check, or our fundraising page.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Would you like to learn more about upcoming opportunities to get involved in citizen diplomacy in Northwest Florida?
We invite you to sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all of our community events, exchange opportunities, and student programs.
Share Your IVLP Impact Story
Has the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) made a difference in your life?
We want to hear from you! Share your story and help us showcase the positive impact IVLP has across American communities.
Become a Host Family
Bring the world to your home through a short-term host family experience with international visitors lasting seven to 14 days.
We’re looking for local hosts to place international professionals and young leaders in homes for upcoming 2026 exchange programs. The youths are ages 15-18 and speak English. Occasionally, they are accompanied by an adult mentor, who we put in a separate home. We keep everyone busy during the work week and ask you to share your life in the evenings and weekends.
This is a fun and enriching way to explore the world outside Florida while sharing your life with international visitors.
The Exchange Café
Are you interested in meeting with international visitors? Do you want to talk to them about their experiences and expertise? Then join us at our next Exchange Café where you can enjoy a chat over coffee or tea. We are always looking for more locals to take part in these two-way exchanges and would be happy for you to join us!
Great Decisions Returns in 2026
Gulf Coast Diplomacy will once again host Great Decisions, the nation’s largest civic discussion series on global affairs, beginning in early 2026.
Join us for eight thought-provoking sessions held most Tuesdays from 5:30–6:30 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church from Feb 24 to Apr 28.
Please contact our office before February 24th if you are interested in joining. Early bird registration has now closed, but we are happy to share options to get involved.
Thank you for supporting Gulf Coast Diplomacy. Your participation and generosity keep citizen diplomacy thriving.
Camp Global Undergrad
Register Now for our December 17th Session
Sign up below to RSVP. The virtual program will run from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Central Time.
Faces of Service
Open to high school students in Northwest Florida! Apply by May 12th, 11:59 PM CDT.
Faces of Service is a multi-year educational campaign launching in Pensacola this spring in collaboration with the National Museum and Center for Service! We are looking for highly motivated, service-oriented teens to get involved in creating a collaborative exhibit. There is no fee to apply or participate.
Our vision is to celebrate the power of service, highlight the impact of ordinary Americans who selflessly contribute to their communities, and inspire a renewed commitment to volunteerism. Click here to learn more about the program!
Join Us Today
Individual and Corporate Memberships
The U.S. Department of State pays for the delegations’ traveling expenses, but our council is not a government agency and relies on grants and the generosity of local individuals and businesses to help support our non-profit mission.
One of the ways we do this is to offer both individual and corporate memberships. We hope you’ll consider joining us. You will have the opportunity to network with our international visitors at receptions, lunches, or even in your own home. You will also have the chance to meet an interesting array of locals.
Our Sponsors
WE ARE A PROUD MEMBER OF:
Artel Gallery | Blue Wind | City of Pensacola |
Clark Partington | Dreamcatcher Shuttle | Gulf Breeze Guide Service | The Hive Foundation | Karen Jurkowich, Realtor | SpringHill Suites | Tower East Group Inc | UWF Office of International Affairs | Vowells Printing | Wade, Palmer & Shoemaker, P.A.
You are invited to our annual pre-derby party! It’s a celebration of citizen diplomacy & we hope you’ll join us to congratulate our Citizen of the Year & the recipient of our 2020 Dr. Jack Kichler Hospitality Award.
We will welcome Anne Grimes, Director of the Office of International Visitors at the U.S. Department of State, who will speak on the importance of international exchange & Board Chair Rachel Hendrix will demonstrate how to make a perfect mint julep.
To drum up excitement for our membership event during the days prior to the party, we have an online auction, a virtual red carpet, and an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the International Visitor Leadership Program!
This year, the event is online & free. We will celebrate on Thursday, September 3rd, from 6:00 – 7:00 PM Central Time (UTC-5). We can’t wait to see you! Please preregister through this link.
Thank You to Our Mint Jubilee Corporate Sponsors
Finding Peace Counseling
Guardian Six
Karen Jurkowich, Realtor
Wade, Palmer & Shoemaker, P.A.
Join Us Today!
Individual and Corporate Memberships
The U.S. Department of State pays for the delegations’ traveling expenses, but our council is not a government agency and relies on grants and the generosity of local individuals and businesses to help support our non-profit mission.
One of the ways we do this is to offer both individual and corporate memberships. We hope you’ll consider joining us. You will have the opportunity to network with our international visitors at receptions, lunches, or even in your own home. You will also have the chance to meet an interesting array of locals.
Diplomacy Begins Here Summit
Come explore what's happening in Northwest Florida in innovation, science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) & the critical role public diplomacy programs play in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.
You’re invited!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time to prepare for our spring celebration, a pre-derby event celebrating citizen diplomacy, hospitality, and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)! All the fun happens on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
This year, we will have visitors from Tajikistan joining us. Come help us give them a BIG PENSACOLA HELLO!
To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.
To learn about sponsoring the event, click here.