I had a blast recently speaking with a group of students from Latin America about microfinance in the U.S. and its role in expanding financial inclusion.These students — from Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina — are in the U.S. sponsored through the State Department’s SUSI program, studying entrepreneurship and economic development. The program is hosted locally by the Institute for Training and Development in Amherst, dedicated to education and intercultural exchange.

I kicked off the session with an icebreaker: What’s one preconceived notion you had about the U.S. that’s been challenged on this trip? The overwhelming response? Many had expected Americans to be cold, arrogant, or culturally unaware — but instead, they were struck by how welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable people have been.

Programs like SUSI are more important than ever. They create opportunities for connection, learning, and breaking down biases. Intercultural exchange has been a defining part of my own life and education. I attended a public high school in Germany, spent a semester of college in Botswana, worked at the Danish Red Cross in Copenhagen, and earned my master’s degree in Medellín, Colombia, thanks to nonprofits including Rotary International and Carl Duisberg Centren that invest in cultural exchange as a key part of shaping young professionals.

Today, my consulting work at Grameen America, a nonprofit microfinance institution that expands economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs involves building trust and connection across diverse teams. At The International Language Institute of Massachusetts, where I serve as board president, immigrants and refugees in western Massachusetts take free English classes that help them integrate into the local economy — launching bilingual day care centers, opening restaurants, and some even joining the board themselves to give back.

A more connected, supported community benefits everyone in it.

As we navigate a moment where some seek to dismantle efforts that value diversity, I’m grateful for the organizations and leaders doubling down on this work. DEI isn’t just the right thing to do — it makes businesses and communities stronger.

Sonya Rumpf

Northampton