The Visiting International Professional Program at Michigan State is proud to host our annual summer programs. The Global Summer School, German Fulbright Summer Institute, and Agribusiness Summer Institute are immersive experiences for short-term visiting students from around the world to participate in specialized courses and explore the heart of Michigan. 

These visiting students have the unique opportunity to engage directly with MSU’s own students, VIPP’s Cultural Ambassadors, who help lead the summer programs. 

Benni Ellis-Goertler, a 2026 Cultural Ambassador, shared his reflection on interacting with our global visitors this past summer. 

“Being a student ambassador for VIPP was a wonderful month-long experience that allowed me to form meaningful connections with students from around the world, many of whom I continue to be friends with even after the program ended,” Ellis-Goertler said.  

Ellis-Goertler is a sophomore at Michigan State majoring in Data Science in the College of Natural Science and French in the College of Arts and Letters. He is from East Lansing, Michigan, but has explored many places around the world, from living in Germany in the first and fifth grades to studying abroad in Quebec, Canada, and Querétaro, Mexico.  

Having dual citizenship in both Germany and America, Ellis-Goertler joined the program to help students become more familiar and engage with American culture by showing them around the state and introducing them to some of its best attractions and experiences. 

“I believe being multilingual is a giant advantage when trying to connect with and build friendships with new people. I was able to build connections with exchange students from Germany throughout high school, as well as with the students on this summer program, whom I hope to visit when I am in Germany next,” Ellis-Goertler said. 

He noted that one of his most significant takeaways from his student ambassador experience was learning the value of approaching new experiences with an open and curious mindset.  

“The German Fulbright students were eager to learn, often asking thoughtful questions about American culture, everyday life, politics, and whatever else came to their mind,” Ellis-Goertler said.  

“I truly appreciated how they consistently showed a genuine interest in understanding the differences in culture,” he continued. “Rather than simply observing these differences, they embraced them with enthusiasm and an appreciation for new perspectives.”    

In only a few weeks, Ellis-Goertler said he was able to create a deep bond with the students, resulting in an experience they would both never forget. Even after his daily shifts officially ended, Ellis-Goertler went out of his way to spend time with the program participants, often playing soccer with them on campus.  

“When I was no longer officially working, approximately ten German Fullbright students invited me and another student assistant, Emirhan Yildizhan, to join them to play soccer. While we were there, a group of American college students happened to join us. What made this experience especially memorable was the genuine kindness they showed to the strangers as well as the bond that we formed. Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, we were able to form a strong sense of community and connection in such a short period of time,” Ellis Goertler said.  

With the program coming to an end, Ellis-Goertler felt changed after “seeing their willingness to ask questions and engage with unfamiliar experiences”.  

“It taught me the importance of remaining curious and open-minded, and it has encouraged me to carry that same positive mindset with me whenever I travel or find myself in a new environment,” Ellis-Goertler said.   

Interested in experiencing a summer like this? Learn more about VIPP’s Summer Programs and apply today!