Cultural Diplomacy

Cultural Diplomacy Programmes

MIIC runs multiple cultural diplomacy and partnership projects with embassies, ministries, and professional organizations which aim to strengthen the transatlantic relationship and build connections across sectors to embrace cultural differences.

Summer School

Summer School: Cross-Cultural Pathways for Young Leaders

Cross-Cultural Pathways for Young Leaders is a 12-day study program in Prague designed for high school and university students with Czech and Slovak heritage, an interest in Czech culture and language, and/or an interest in studying at a Czech University. It combines an intensive curriculum focused on Czech culture and history, site visits to culturally significant places across the country, university tours tailored to student interests, and free-time activities with local students who will share cultural insights and build lasting connections with participating students.

Applications for our 2026 program are now open! Learn more and apply below.

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Partnerships for Internationalization

Driving Quality Institution-wide Internationalization

Partnering with the Czech Ministry of Education and the University of Minnesota

In October 2024, The Mestenhauser Institute hosted an exclusive higher education conference titled “Driving Quality Institution-wide Internationalization”, a landmark event with the Czech Ministry of Education and the University of Minnesota based on cross-sectoral partnerships and focused on the challenges faced by Czech and Slovak universities in delivering comprehensive internationalization. The conversation involved over 50+ university leaders and policymakers, as well as top experts from the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

The event leveraged the expertise of strategic management specialists from the University of Minnesota and The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Speakers included Czech policy makers and university leaders. Participants explored essential topics through interactive sessions focused on strategic design, holistic evaluation, leadership styles, and capacity building.

Bridging Continents

Bridging Continents in Partnership with the US Embassy

The event “Bridging Continents: Mestenhauser’s Blueprint on the Future of International Education”, hosted by the Mestenhauser Institute in partnership with the US Embassy in Prague and the American Center in Prague, brought together academics, researchers, students, and working professionals to discuss the legacy of Dr. Mestenhauser and the path forward for international education. The entire discussion can be found below.

Watch the full event here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP60fZ3F5Sc&t=57s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stMS-JxxL5U&t=3s

Networking Events

We bring people together from across different sectors, as well as different continents to exchange ideas and collaborate with each other on advancing international understanding and the field of international education.

Past Networking Events:

Transatlantic Connections Networking Gathering

In November 2025, we organized the Transatlantic Connections Networking Gathering, done in partnership with the National Accredidation Bureau of Higher Education with distinguished thought leaders in international education:

Prof. Jaroslav Miller (Czech Republic)
Dr. Darla Deardorff (USA)
Dr. Harvey Charles (USA)
Dr. Jos Beelen (The Netherlands)

Interconnecting Central and Eastern Europe with the World: Advancing International Education Together

We also organized Interconnecting Central and Eastern Europe with the World: Advancing International Education Together. This was a networking event organized in partnership with the European Association of International Education (EAIE) at Gothenburg Annual Conference brought together invited scholars and policymakers from across the CEE region with the aim to network with each other and advance international education practice and scholarship together.

The event was hosted by Dr. Jos Beelen and Dr. Shanton Chang (MIIC Experts) with Dr. Eva Janebova featuring guest speakers: Dr. Leona Stašová (Vice Rector of University of Hradec Kralove, Czechia) and Mgr. Martin Považán (Director of the International Office of Comenius University, Slovakia).

Dinner Pensant in Minnesota

In collaboration with the Czech and Slovak Cultural Center and the Mestenhauser Family in Minnesota, we convened 45 international educators, members of the Czech community, policymakers from Minnesota, and representatives of civil society for an inaugural dîner pensant (thinking dinner) in September 2023.

Through thoughtful and engaging conversations over dinner, participants explored the future direction of the newly established Mestenhauser Institute for International Collaboration and reflected on the impact it should have in carrying forward the lasting legacy of Josef A. Mestenhauser in international education, diplomacy, and civil society.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Mestenhauser Family, the MIIC Advisory Board members, and the Czech community in Minnesota for generously sponsoring this event, and to Sokol Minnesota for graciously hosting it.