Blog 5: Beyond Campus Visits: My IVLP Experience in the Capital Region
Bio
My name is Sidar Yilmaz, and I am an International Relations student from the Netherlands, currently pursuing my degree at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany. This fall, I will join the International Center of the Capital Region (ICCR) and Hudson Valley Community College as an international intern. With family roots in Nijmegen, Albany's sister city, I am excited to experience the Capital Region firsthand while learning more about its history, communities, and international connections. During my internship, I look forward to contributing to ICCR's mission while sharing my experiences and discovering the people, culture, history, and opportunities that make New York's Capital Region unique.
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to my blog!
Last week, the Capital Region welcomed a special group of international visitors through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). I had the opportunity to accompany the delegation throughout their stay, which gave me a chance to experience the region from a slightly different perspective.
The delegation brought together participants from Ecuador, Peru, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Estonia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Qatar. They came to the United States as part of an IVLP program focused on AI Innovation and Security. With participants from such different parts of the world, it was a great opportunity to exchange perspectives and learn from one another.
Exploring the Capital Region
During their stay, we visited several educational institutions and organizations, including
Hudson Valley Community College,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and
Albany Law
School. Each visit offered a different perspective on the educational and professional landscape of the Capital Region.
As an International Relations student, I found it particularly interesting to see how these institutions contribute to discussions and developments surrounding technology, innovation, and security. It also helped me become more familiar with the region and the opportunities it has to offer.
Of course, the program was not only about professional visits. We also had the chance to experience some of the local culture. One of the highlights was visiting
Indian Ladder Farms. And if you ever get the chance to visit, I can definitely recommend trying their apple cider donuts! It was a fun way to experience a little more of what makes this area special.
Connecting Beyond the Program
Another memorable part of the week was getting to know the participants outside the scheduled activities. Several hospitality dinners were organized during the program, and I had the opportunity to join one hosted by Bonnie Beard, a volunteer at ICCR.
These dinners are a great way to bring international visitors and local community members together. What I enjoyed most were the informal conversations. We talked about our backgrounds, educational journeys, career paths, and experiences in our respective countries. It is always interesting to hear how people from different parts of the world ended up where they are today and what motivates them in their work.
I also had the opportunity to explore downtown Troy with Renato Guida, a board member at ICCR, and four of the IVLP participants. We spent the evening discovering some of the local places and enjoying the atmosphere of the city. It turned out to be a great evening, with plenty
of interesting conversations and some valuable new connections.
More Than Just a Visit
Looking back, what made this week special was the combination of all these experiences. We visited educational institutions, explored local places, shared meals, and got to know the
Capital Region through the people who live here.
It made me realize how valuable international exchange programs are, not only for the visitors but also for the people who get to welcome them. You get to show people from around the world what your region has to offer, while learning about their countries, experiences, and
perspectives in return.
For me, it was also a nice opportunity to feel more connected to the Capital Region. The more people I meet and places I visit, the more familiar the area becomes. And who knows? Some of the contacts I made during this week might lead to interesting opportunities or connections in the future.
One thing I have learned during my internship is that international relations do not only happen at conferences or through official meetings. Sometimes, they start with a conversation over
dinner, exploring a city together, or simply getting to know someone from another part of the world.
Stay in touch as we are going to discover the Capital Region of New York together!
Sidar
