Our programs create opportunities for professional development that build a diverse body of leaders by combining: cross-cultural exchange, professional training based in experiential learning, mentorship and networking.
2008 Annual Report (.pdf)
2007 Annual Report (.pdf)
Mission
SFIP’s mission is to promote progressive leadership globally and to foster peace and understanding through cross-cultural exchange and professional training programs, with an emphasis on the non-profit and social service sectors.
Summary of Achievements
- SFIP and the affiliate offices served 10,000 international professionals from 147 countries.
- Over 300 local companies and 100 non-profit and government agencies in the Bay Area have partnered with SFIP to training international professionals.
- Hundreds of local families continue to welcome our participants through the home-stay program.
- Hundreds of our alumni, volunteers and friends actively support our programs and services.
Awards & Recognitions
Proclamation from the City and County of San Francisco
Mayor Gavin Newsom solutes SFIP for its invaluable contribution to the community and proclaims San Francisco International Program Day on the occasion of the Alumni Leadership Award Ceremony, July 9, 2007
History
In the 1950s, Dr. Henry B. Ollendorff, a German doctor of Social Work, who was an administrator of a settlement house in Cleveland was called to return to Germany. His assignment was to reconstruct the institutional knowledge and professional practice that was destroyed by the war. Inspired by his own experience working and living abroad, Dr. Ollendorff ventured to bring German social workers to the US for cross-cultural professional training. In 1954 Dr. Ollendorff founded the Council of International Programs USA, which he called, "A fellowship of compassionate believers in human welfare and understanding across all boundaries."
As the Bay Area affiliate of CIPUSA, SFIP has pioneered this unique professional training model in Northern California, which contributed to growth and stability of post-war Europe during the Marshall Plan era. Through the consortium of international programs and non-profit organizations that administer professional and cultural exchanges through the Exchange Visitor Program of the US Department of State, SFIP and the CIPUSA affiliate offices have assisted an estimated 10,000 professionals from around the world, and partnered with thousands of national and international non-profit, public, and private organizations.
News Highlights
San Francisco Event Highlights Benefits of Cultural Exchange. Ethical Traveler by Jenny Boyd, July 2007
Global group to share ideas in SF and Marin. Marin Independent Journal, July 1 2007
Leben und Lernen international: 50 Jahred CIP. AGJ, 2005
Cameroon visitor is here to improve nursing skills. Kara Fox. Benicia Herald, January 2004
Reforming Health Care in Romania - Interview with Dr. Viorica Petrescu. Jan Spence. SHARE INTERNATIONAL, November 1994
They live in the woods: Interview with Peter Wieser by Jan Spence. SHARE INTERNATIONAL, May 1994
A Historical Review: Professional Training for Internationals. Henry Diaz. Voz HISPANA, May/June 1994
His classroom circles the world. Esther Curmi. Marin Independent Jounal, November 18, 1993
International participants party at the River. Betsey Bourbon. Russian River News, November 30 1993
Professionals visit San Francisco. Catherine Bowman. Bay City News, August 9, 1987
Foreign visitors find us fascinating. Beth Ashley. Marin Independent Journal, August 5 1987