The Foreign Service Journal, September 2020

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2020 43 and missteps, the institution of diplomacy and our State Department have endured because of our capacity to be faith- ful to our oath and reaffirm our sense of purpose to serve our country. I remind myself of that every day, especially on the challenging ones. Whenever I’m asked now where I’m really from, or if I’m a real American, I no longer get offended. I relish telling my immigrant story, both to foreigners and Americans. My story, and all the stories of my colleagues, make up the diverse fabric of this institution. That diversity doesn’t just make us feel good, or ensure we reflect a “real” America; it also helps us solve problems and negotiate better, and bring different ideas to the table because of our varied experiences. While a public diplomacy officer in Vietnam, I often relayed my immigrant story to young Vietnamese audiences. They related to themes of working hard, persevering, starting from scratch—my story, and many stories like mine, are what con- stitute America. So am I a real American, they would ask? You bet I am, I’d say. I’m a real American diplomat. n The author, second from right, at her swearing-in as a U.S. Foreign Service officer in 1996 at the State Department, with proud parents and sister, Connie Kim. COURTESYOFJULIECHUNG