The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

want. While 4:30 is the official closing time, individual students can make special arrangements with the center if necessary. I would note that in working with the day- care contractor, we’re trying not only to accommodate students’ needs but also to keep the rates reasonable. Keeping the center open another hour every day would increase the cost for all students. FSJ: Do most Eligible Family Members who want language training get it? What about Members of Household? KP: In my time here, I don’t believe we’ve ever turned down an Eligible Family Member for language training. Unfortunately, the department’s authority to provide language training to Eligible Family Members does not extend to MOHs. FSJ: So even though MOHs are eligible for employ- ment at overseas missions, they still cannot take any FSI courses, even security training? KP: Right. Formal enrollment in FSI courses is lim- ited to certain categories of individuals, such as employ- ees of the department and other agencies. However, we do try to assist Members of Household and make infor- mation available; they are also welcome to use the Overseas Briefing Center, which offers many informal programs and provides access to useful information about life and security issues overseas. FSJ: I understand that FSI is currently seeking stu- dents’ input on its area studies programs. What sorts of issues are being raised there? Would it be correct to characterize the changes contemplated as resulting from cuts in the amount of funding available for area studies? KP: No, the budget has nothing to do with it. Simply put, FSI hasn’t changed its basic approach to area studies in 50 years, beyond some tweaking at the edges. 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. F O C U S J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 47