Cultural Vistas

"The ACLI reinforced my belief that meaningful leadership is built long before it is reflected in a formal title."

That's how Huiguis Silva describes the shift he experienced through the Atlas Corps Leadership Institute (ACLI), moving from a focus on ex*****on and operational efficiency to a deeper attention on the people and dynamics behind the results.

In our latest scholar spotlight, Huiguis shares how a conversation on self-awareness reshaped his view of accountability, why he built a personal action plan after every module, and how those small everyday changes contributed to his promotion to Operational Excellence Coordinator.

Read his full reflection on leadership across cultures in this blog post: https://culturalvistas.org/impact-learning/news-stories/inside-the-atlas-corps-leadership-institute-how-one-turned-learnings-into-a-promotion

There are many positions at host companies that comply with the J-1 Research Scholar standards. But there are also those that do not fit the needs.

These two software engineer positions look similar, but only one meets the requirements for the J-1 visa. Can you guess which one it is?

If you're interested in hosting a J-1 Research Scholar, learn more about the criteria for hosting here: https://culturalvistas.org/our-programs/j1services/j1-visa-sponsorship-research-scholar

As part of their J-1 exchange program, Danny Valera Hernandez explored different art installations and museums with their host company. These field trips brought their colleagues together and fostered a sense of community within the company.

J-1 programs offer participants the chance to learn and grow through their time in the United States. To learn more about how you can be sponsored by Cultural Vistas, visit https://culturalvistas.org/our-programs/j1services.

For May's "Global Calling" blog, CEO Jennifer Clinton asked Mohammad Fidaali, a Cultural Vistas CBYX alum, about his experience encountering human complexity as an engineer.

As one of the leading J-1 visa sponsors for professional exchanges in the technical field in the United States, Cultural Vistas works with thousands of engineers, researchers, scientists, and technology professionals every year. Much of the work these professionals do focuses on the technical side, but there is an increasing need to examine how technology interacts with human complexity.

"What Happens When Engineers Encounter Human Complexity" shows how Mohammad navigates this growing need through his career. Read the story here: https://culturalvistas.org/impact-learning/news-stories/global-calling-what-happens-when-engineers-encounter-human-complexity

Join Our Team at Cultural Vistas! We’re excited to announce a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact:

Are you energized by global exchange and ready to turn your project management skills into real-world impact? As an Assistant Program Officer, you'll support the design and implementation of international exchange programs — managing logistics, tracking budgets, and building relationships with participants, federal agencies, and community partners.

If you're a detail-oriented problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and cares deeply about connecting people across borders, we want to hear from you!

🔗 Check out the full posting and more at: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/CUL1005CLTR/JobBoard/d3d1dc87-b85c-4332-86b8-1cf70d0cbdcd/?q=&o=postedDateDesc

Congratulations to our 2026 Muskie fellows!

Last week, 28 Muskie fellows gathered in Washington, D.C., representing 10 of the 11 countries that the Muskie Program hosts. The Muskie team led a two-day Orientation event, preparing the fellows for their summer internships through discussions and knowledge sharing. Good luck to all of our fellows on their internships!

If you're interested in learning more about the Muskie Program, visit https://culturalvistas.org/our-programs/internships-fellowships/edmund-s-muskie-professional-fellowship.

To conclude our case study on the impact of the J-1 Teach program on ACCEL Schools, we spoke with J-1 participant Syrene A. Fesariton, a fourth-year science teacher from the Philippines at the STEAM Academy of Warrensville Heights. In this, Syrene reflects on her journey as an international educator in the United States and what this program has meant to her. Read her story here:https://culturalvistas.org/impact-learning/news-stories/acceling-in-school-a-case-study-on-the-j-1-journey-in-ohio-teacher.

To learn more about the J-1 services we offer, visit: https://culturalvistas.org/our-programs/j1services.

Last week, we hosted an evening of thoughtful discussions with our board, alumni, program participants, and funders in Seattle. ⁠
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As the conversation made clear, global challenges require people and institutions who can collaborate effectively across cultures, sectors, and worldviews to implement meaningful solutions. ⁠
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Through curated international exchange experiences, Cultural Vistas develops the essential building blocks of global networks and human-centered leadership skills that enable effective collaboration and human progress. ⁠
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The people in the room last week have seen the benefits of this work and are dedicated to it. Thank you to all who attended and made this a fantastic event. ⁠
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If you’re interested in learning about how your organization can partner with us to create human-centered programs, reach out to us at [email protected]. ⁠
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Photos courtesy of Alabastro Photography.

In our second of a three-part case study focused on the J-1 Teach Program at the Ohio-based ACCEL schools, we asked Columbus Bilingual Academy North (CBAN) principal Michael Mora Brenes about his school's experience with J-1 teachers. Columbus Bilingual Academy North currently hosts three J-1 teach participants. Read the story here to learn more about how J-1 teachers have impacted the culture at CBAN: https://culturalvistas.org/impact-learning/news-stories/acceling-in-school-a-case-study-on-the-j-1-journey-in-ohio-principal.