The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates have been hosting emerging credit union leaders from Costa Rica this month.

The participants are part of the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program, which brings emerging leaders from around the world to the U.S. for intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise.

Alabama and Florida credit unions are hosting eight credit union fellows from Costa Rica who have been placed with credit unions in Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Orlando, Tampa, Panama City and Miami.

“This is an exciting program to be affiliated with,” said LSCU & Affiliates President/CEO Patrick La Pine. “We've hosted Costa Rican credit unions in the past and we've also had (representatives from) our credit unions go to Costa Rica. However, this program will begin to give these Costa Rican credit union leaders real experiences in U.S. credit unions. The experiences will be invaluable as future credit union leaders.”

LSCU has had an international partnership with Costa Rica through the World Council of Credit Unions since 2005.

The Professional Fellows program supports international cooperation and builds networks of people and organizations working on critical issues worldwide. The LSCU program is designed to facilitate idea exchanges, promote foreign language skills development, enhance cultural diversity and improve problem-solving skills as they relate to credit union development and management. In addition, the program focuses on helping credit unions find new ways to attract younger members.

At the conclusion of their fellowships, participants will gather in Washington, D.C., to take part in the Professional Fellows Congress, May 8-10, 2013. The congress provides a forum for participants to discuss best practices with other young leaders in their profession, and to develop concrete projects and networks that they can implement upon returning to their countries.