The Foreign Service Journal, September 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2017 25 broadened the focus. We worked collaboratively with the Indian embassy and its New York consul- ate to organize the three-day trip. One event, where we shared the stage with India’s deputy consul general, featured 150 community leaders, as well as New Jersey officials, and was broadcast as a multi-part series on the TV Asia network. In New York, we visited the Indian con- sulate, its mission to the United Nations and the U.S.-India Business Council. The trip was covered in four Indian- American newspapers and was even picked up by outlets in India. One headline read, “U.S. Diplomats Surprise Indian Americans with a Flourish of Flu- ent Hindi.” A Worthy Goal Such domestic immersion trips are outreach opportunities. Yet although FSI conducts about 40 total domestic and international trips a year, funding is often in doubt and few engage diasporas in a concerted way. (The Arabic-language trip to Dearborn, Michigan, is a notable exception.) Generally students are focused on their language exam and have little motivation or support to seek policy benefits from the trips. However, a little coordination with Main State could go a long way. For example, regional bureaus could join the trips to discuss policy, Consular Affairs could answer visa and passport questions and Legislative Affairs could help with congressional coordination. Beyond the trips, diaspora groups could be invited to visit language and area studies classes at FSI. (Both of these can be done via DVC when travel is not possible.) Finally, FSI can work closely with regional bureaus to ensure alignment with policy goals. I am confident the benefits from this type of outreach will justify the effort. n