American entrepreneurs head to Caribbean for exchange program

The United States Department of State says 34 Young Leaders of the Americans Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellowship hosts from businesses and civil society organizations across the US have been selected to participate in the Reverse Exchange program, a new component of YLAI.

This year, the State Department said on Wednesday that US Fellowship hosts will travel to 21 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean “to collaboratively implement entrepreneurial and community projects alongside alumni of the YLAI Professional Fellows Program.”

“These partnerships will strengthen entrepreneurship networks between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean,” the statement said.

In November last year, the State Department said the YLAI alumni completed five-week fellowships at US start-ups, small businesses, and various organizations in partnership with businesses, community groups and universities.

Through the Reverse Exchange program, many of the Fellowship hosts will continue to mentor the YLAI alumni in-country to further develop their business or social venture plans, the State Department said.

YLAI is administered by the US Department of State in collaboration with Meridian International Center.