The Foreign Service Journal, March 2011

programs last year, told me: “The tol- erance I have seen here in the U.S. was remarkable. I honestly didn’t think it would be so. At home I am so accus- tomed to [our people] being divided into Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites, who no longer tolerate each other. I felt ac- cepted and welcomed everywhere we went in the U.S.” A group of Indian journalists on a visit last June commented on their in- teraction with professional counter- parts: “What an excellent meeting at the Washington Post ! Our hosts were incredibly informative, and the meet- ing reminded us of anMBA case analy- sis session. First, our hosts discussed the changes in the industry; then they discussed how these changes impacted the Post . And then they presented the measures employed to cope with the changes. ... It was a great meeting!” A visiting group of Pakistani lawyers traveled to Oklahoma City, where they met with the director of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terror- ism and discussed counterterrorism techniques. They came to understand that terrorism is a global phenomenon, rather than being unique to their part of the world. When they were invited to offer Fri- day prayers in a mosque in Oklahoma built by the local Muslim community, the visitors were filled with a sense of pride and brotherhood. A lawyer from the Swat Valley put it this way: “This is the most memorable experience of my life. It has broadened my vision and given my perception a global dimen- sion. … I hope in the future people of both great nations will understand each other in a better way. These confi- dence-building measures will definitely accrue one day, and we will be able to explore ways to cooperate and work to- gether for global peace.” Getting Behind Stereotypes In light of the recent controversy over the proposal to build an interfaith religious center near Ground Zero in New York City and the increase in anti- Islamic sentiments in America, these firsthand, noncontroversial interactions with hard-working people of Muslim descent, as well as with people of every nation, help promote much-needed understanding. An Iraqi deputy governor visiting various U.S. municipalities last Octo- ber told me that he was amazed at the openly helpful and hospitable nature of average American citizens. While he was in the States, county officials and mayors from three geographically diverse cities — Arlington, Va.; Col- orado Springs, Colo.; and Phoenix, Ariz. — shared with him their insights about governance and city manage- ment. He returned to Iraq full of ideas for city planning, budgeting and devel- oping infrastructure that he can use in his devastated province. And he made many contacts with whom to exchange useful information for years to come. Visitors often arrive here with a large dose of skepticism, even animos- ity, toward the U.S. One West Bank/ Palestinian ESL teacher visiting last July told me: “On a personal level, I, as well as most Palestinians, had false stereotypes about the American peo- ple. This is mainly due to the Ameri- can foreign policy in the Middle East, in general, and in Palestine, in particu- lar. “Americans are usually judged by Arabs based on their political positions in the Middle East. However, my view changed when I met ordinary American people and negotiated human and po- litical issues face to face with them. Now I better understand the way Americans think of themselves and of others. What I like best about them is that they are kind, caring, honest and hardworking. Despite the diversity of people, they enjoy a peaceful life in which respect and dignity are recipro- cal.” Another teacher from the West Bank had this to say after her IVLP program ended: “All the meetings presented a wonderful insight about America. Both formal and informal appointments and meetings, which we had all around the States, provided us with knowledge about the norms and habits of the American people. This is simply the place where freedom can be enjoyed. “Another advantage of this program is that there were many things I shared with my American counterparts. In addition to talking about our experi- ences in teaching English, we also shared our values, cultural aspects, norms of life and points of view about different issues. We talked about the common points that bridge the gaps among our cultures.” “Globalizing” That Cuts Both Ways A side benefit of the IVLP program is the opportunity it gives Americans from all walks of life to meet with visi- tors from around the world. For many Americans, it is the first time they have conversed with someone from Pak- istan, India, the West Bank, Ghana or other places. Volunteers working in nonprofit Councils for International Visitors in all 50 U.S. states and the District coordinate programs that bring people together, and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas. Visitors fromMongolia might meet people in North Dakota, or young 54 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A R C H 2 0 1 1 During three weeks in the U.S., visitors witness first-hand how Americans live and work — and that is what most impresses them.