The Foreign Service Journal, May 2008

his professional competence and in being a member of the Foreign Service. Though reserved, he exhibit- ed a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor when telling a joke or relating a story. The last time I saw him was in Montevideo. Newly mar- ried, he was most enthusiastic about the future and his career. William H. Lindsey Jr. FSO, retired Wicomico Church, Va. Educate the Interns I am an eligible family member who has participated in the summer hire program in 2004 in Washington, D.C., in 2006 at Embassy Mexico City, and in 2007 at Embassy Bogotá. The internship program is a great institution, offering the opportunity to make some money and learn about the Foreign Service. The program should continue, but needs to be im- proved. I have often heard that an office will receive interns and feel as though they are unprepared. Because of the lack of knowledge and preparation, they are given menial busywork. I have seen interns sitting around ask- ing for something to do, yet their employers just come up with more busywork. I feel that I could have learned more about the sections and posts for which I was working. Both interns and employers would benefit from making these programs more educational. The interns should attend lectures and seminars about the different sections and tasks within their embassy. The post should also take the interns out to experience the local culture and see the work of the embassy firsthand. Field experiences are an important part of any internship. It is imperative that such a beneficial program remain meaningful in the Foreign Service. Sarah Vann Eligible Family Member/Intern Fredonia, N.Y. M A Y 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 9 L E T T E R S Send your letter to the editor to: journal@afsa.org . Note that all submissions are subject to editing for style, format and length.