Impact

At Gulf Coast Diplomacy, we believe in the power of person-to-person diplomacy. International exchanges build trust, foster mutual understanding, and are vital tools for U.S. national security and global stability.

As a trusted host of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), we are proud to be part of a network that has long enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. This support reflects a shared understanding: that programs like IVLP help keep America safe, secure, and prosperous by connecting emerging global leaders with American communities.

These exchanges don’t just strengthen international relationships—they enrich our own region. They generate local economic impact, create cultural and professional connections, and give our youth a window to the world. By welcoming international visitors, we offer an authentic view of American life while learning more about ourselves.

We are not just hosting exchanges. We are building a safer, more connected world while investing in the future of our own community. Our youth programs offer nonpartisan civic education through interactive experiences, including local government simulations, diplomatic role-playing, and exploration of public service. Students deepen their understanding of U.S. history, the Constitution, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, preparing them to engage thoughtfully in our democracy and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Our Council has received visitors from every dark blue country below.

As of 31 Dec 2024, we have:

Welcomed this number of
international visitors

From this amount of
countries & territories

And enjoyed this many meals
with them in our homes

While they participated in
exchange projects numbering

Thank you for this opportunity. There is no doubt that it was a wonderful experience, especially this family who organized the little party in Pensacola…

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to recollect my unforgettable three days there…

When we visited the City of Pensacola, it was a pleasant experience to know the different entities that always contribute to improving the quality of life of the citizens of your country…

I had a wonderful time at Pensacola Florida. Collected unforgettable memories…

I’m very grateful for all your efforts and your way of sharing very cool experience to the people like me…

I can boast that the program I was a part of helped me to develop skills that benefited my academic and professional life…

My participation in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Program Leadership was a unique opportunity…

I have been in Pensacola through the Brazil Youth Ambassadors Program…

My participation in Pensacola as part of this exchange was a very timely opportunity to strengthen my intervention strategies with girls and young women…

In November of 2011 I was representing Serbia’s Greek National Minority Council, as the president of it, along with three more representatives of Serbias’s minority councils…

For me it was a very enriching experience, where I had the opportunity to see how the American government encourages women, supports them and respects their rights…

The IVLP program has helped me to progress in my professional life, especially after this one, I continue to teach with a lot of imagination and different approaches…

…The program has a great impact on my life as it has changed my perception of life…

Participating in the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2017, was one of the best professional and personal experiences of my life…

The experience was undoubtedly very fruitful and has led to new initiatives in social projects that have had an impact and have allowed us to interact with other scholarship holders and venture into community-level management for a more equitable world for women and vulnerable groups…

I found out and I am convinced that IVLP does an enormous job in promoting openness and mutual understanding around the world. The best way to challenge prejudices or to make people understand others is when they have a chance to meet or to cooperate overreaching the same goal.

Being hosted by an amazing couple for two weeks gave me a second family that I’ll forever keep in my heart and maintaining contact with them is something that still lightens up my days.

Skills, Knowledge I learned through the program I reflected in the workplace to make a  positive change in our community…