I would like to inform you that the ultimate goal of my micro-grant project “Pakem Indonesia” has been achieved! Pakem Indonesia is integrated program that combines strengthening the...
Category: Alumni Stories


Professional Fellows Program to Vietnam Reflection by Candace Gerritsen, October 2019 The Illinois Chamber hosted a Fellow from the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Program in...

Never in my life do I remember an out-of-the-blue phone conversation that turned into a transformational experience. When Kaylee Boalt, from the American Council of Young Political Leaders...
![[Alumni Reflection] Clay Middleton: “Building tolerance and increasing understanding”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
Being selected as a delegate to the West Bank and Israel in 2012 with the ACYPL provided me with great exposure to a culture and perspective that...
![[US to China ’15] Lauren McLean: “Saying Goodbye”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
We have said good-bye to Zhou, who over the course of two weeks has become a friend I hope to see again. He showed us his country, joined...
![[US to China ’15] Lauren McLean: “In the Hutongs”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
I thought I might be alone when hitting the streets at 5 a.m. for a run today. Instead I find them filled with people, children, bikes, scooters and...
![[US to Vietnam + Myanmar ’14] Emily Cushman: Two countries, “a world apart”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
Our delegation had many impactful meetings during our time in Vietnam, but one in particular stood out to me as the most memorable. Part of our exchange...
![[PFP in Myanmar] Linda Rotunno: A Special Request](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
A week before our departure for Myanmar, Mindy Walker, our amazing in-country partner, emailed ACYPL alumni Rick Smotkin, Cass Burton and me with a special request –...
![[Turkey to US ’15 Preview] Mehves Evin: “How to maximize your acypl experience”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
Many of the international or Turkish delegates will have visited the US before their ACYPL exchange, but this particular exchange trip will mark a very special time in...
![[US to Palestinian Territories, Israel + Jordan ’14] Mandy Wright: “Going away brings you closer to home”](https://www.acypl.org/wp-content/themes/acypl/images/Global-Image.png)
Being chosen as a delegate for #acyplMENA is an incredible honor. We have been to Palestine and Israel and headed to Jordan a few days ago. My purpose here besides...
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2021 In Review
While COVID-19 continued to impact the world and our work in 2021, the ACYPL team worked year-round to continue giving emerging leaders a global perspective. ACYPL celebrated our...
VIEW DETAILSAlumni Reflection: Ulfa Mubarika (PFP 2019)
I would like to inform you that the ultimate goal of my micro-grant project “Pakem Indonesia” has been achieved! Pakem Indonesia is integrated program that combines strengthening the...
VIEW DETAILSACYPL Virtual Programs 2020
With the launch of so much new programming, here is a snapshot of our work in 2020. This year ACYPL programs look a little different – but as...
VIEW DETAILSAlumni Reflection: Candace Gerritsen (Vietnam 2019)
Professional Fellows Program to Vietnam Reflection by Candace Gerritsen, October 2019 The Illinois Chamber hosted a Fellow from the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Program in...
VIEW DETAILS