It is a nationwide training opportunity and citizen exchange for business managers and entrepreneurs, and other diverse sectors from eleven countries of the former Soviet Union. Since 1994 in southern Virginia, over 200 Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian businesspeople, government officials, law professionals, NGO representatives, and educators have been hosted by more than 200 companies and families. Nationally, more than 5500 businesspeople in 51 regions will receive training by the end of the year 2002. Local companies and families make business and personal contacts and expand their knowledge of a dynamically changing region.
Participants gain practical knowledge of a market economy.
Professional training enhances their ability to develop businesses or to better manage existing ones. Selection Businesspeople are selected by bi-national committees based on evaluations of English language ability, a written application and a personal interview, and are between the ages of 18 and 48. Interpreters are provided for NGO professionals, educators, and government officials. Homestays are provided by employee families of participating companies or by other host families. All interns are placed within a two-hour radius of the Bedford area.