The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

courses are necessarily organized along regional lines, so an officer going to a small country will probably only hear passing mention of its particular issues. Even though hear- ing about neighboring countries can help clarify the situa- tion in one’s own posting, sitting through long lectures (which seems to be the prevailing format) may not be the best use of officers’ time. In fact, several FSOs admitted they use area studies to do homework for language classes, review flash cards, or complete administrative tasks. Attitudes are somewhat more positive toward the “intensive” two-week area studies courses. Louisa O’Neil, now serving in the economic section in Mexico City, com- ments: “I learned more about Mexico during those classes than in six months of living in country. The guest lecturers illuminated aspects of the country’s political, economic and cultural life that mere reading would not cover.” Generally, though, as one new hire comments: “Area studies is widely regarded as the weak link of FSI training. Despite the fact that people with impressive résumés fill the area studies coordinator positions, students are in near- complete agreement that the program is nearly useless.” According, for instance, to a mid-level officer serving in Canada: “FSI could provide me with absolutely no area- studies preparation for my assignment in French-speaking Canada — or, for that matter, even English-speaking Canada — that I can recall, with the exception of one ses- sion with a recognized American expert on Canadian polit- ical affairs. Even the library at FSI had only about six books on Canada, all old and out of date. The FSI area studies program is too small, and yet tries — and fails — to cover the whole world.” There also have been allegations of political bias in the selection of guest speakers and written materials for some of the courses. For example, a retired USIA officer who periodically lectures at FSI asserts that speakers and writ- ten materials highly critical of Israel are prevalent in the Middle East Area Studies program. Several FSOs recommend outsourcing the program, either to private firms that prepare American businesspeo- ple for overseas assignments or to universities that special- ize in area studies programs. “Professors at local universi- ties could establish an independent reading program with a syllabus and weekly phone chats, and finish off with an intensive three- to five-day seminar on campus, either for individuals or groups,” one suggests. But others advise cau- tion at the idea of contracting out area studies, and point out that the program can be highly effective when a coor- dinator with a solid academic background brings in outside speakers selectively from academia, government and the corporate sector. This issue has the active attention of management. “FSI hasn’t changed its basic approach to area studies in 50 years, beyond some tweaking at the edges,” FSI Director Peterson acknowledges. “So we’re conducting a major review to see how we can improve the program to make it more relevant and useful for students in the 21st century.” Distance Learning: A Classroom without Walls FSI is committed to making learning as accessible as possible, both to overseas personnel (including Foreign Service Nationals) and those based in Washington. As its course catalog proclaims, “Distance learning has allowed us to expand our reach — a classroom without walls.” FSI offers custom-developed distance learning courses, pri- marily in languages and administrative management, in a variety of formats. The distance learning options are: text- based, with instruction provided by mail; online, via Intranet or Internet; CD-ROM; or blended, a combina- tion of delivery methods. (For more details, see p. 62: “E-Learning for Diplomats” by Kishan Rana.) The Overseas Briefing Center The OBC provides all U.S. government employees and their families en route to, or considering, an overseas assignment the chance to browse through abundant mate- rials on overseas posts and expatriate life. The materials include country briefing boxes containing post-specific information, cultural guides and cross-cultural reference books, as well as a returnee file of local contacts. The center operates as a drop-in facility, open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays andWednesday evenings. It also provides “electronic post boxes,” which can be accessed by sending an e-mail to: FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov. Incidentally, while Eligible FamilyMembers are able to enroll in language training and other FSI courses on a space-available basis, the Overseas Briefing Center is the only FSI facility that Members of Household are allowed to use. The Need for Flexibility FSI’s move to Arlington Hall 12 years ago has proven to be one of the smartest investments the State Department ever made. But it is not resting on its lau- F O C U S 30 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 5