International Institute of Wisconsin — Local services in Milwaukee

We can’t remember precisely when we began our participation as International Institute hosts for visitors from other countries, but it was sometime in 1998. Our first guest was a young man from Macedonia who was in the U.S. to learn about, among other things, how American manufacturers managed supplies of the materials that were necessary components of the products they manufactured. Macedonia had emerged from the Cold War just a few years earlier, and those decisions then were made for them by the USSR. During the visit, we talked about our plan to travel to Greece the following fall, and he invited us to visit him and his family in Skopje, the capitol of his country. Frankly, we weren’t sure where Macedonia was located but we did know that it shared a border with Kosovo which was at war then with Yugoslavia and Serbia. The three of us looked at a map and, you guessed it, Rod and I found that Kosovo is tantalizingly close to Greece on Macedonia’s eastern border. The result was an adventurous trip that we will never forget and which was typical of our interactions with our foreign guests from that time forward. In the intervening 20-plus years during which we continued to entertain international visitors, we engaged with guests from Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Morocco, India, Turkey, Hungary, Tajikistan, Bulgaria, and other nations the names of which have escaped from our memories. Not once in all of those years did our enthusiasm for the program wane. The COVID epidemic required that there be a pause, and when the epidemic ended we found that issues of our growing older would end our participation – reluctantly --, and we continue to miss it. The International Institute’s hosting program is a wonderful way to travel the world vicariously without having to make a single airplane connection. We heartily recommend it. Rod and...

The International Institute of Wisconsin is an exceptional organization dedicated to supporting immigrants and refugees as they transition into new communities. Their team is compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly committed to empowering individuals through education, legal services, and cultural integration programs. The staff goes above and beyond to provide personalized assistance, and their community outreach efforts help foster inclusion and mutual understanding. IIW plays a vital role in promoting diversity and strengthening the fabric of the Milwaukee community. Highly recommended for anyone in need of support or looking to get involved in...

The International Institute of Wisconsin is a vital resource for immigrants, refugees, and international communities in the Milwaukee area. Their team provides essential services with empathy, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to community empowerment. I want to especially commend Halim, the RNP Manager, whose leadership and dedication stand out. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that clients feel supported and understood throughout their journey. His knowledge and calm demeanor make a real difference in an often overwhelming process. Highly recommend the Institute and its...