The Foreign Service Journal, October 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2015 63 AFSA NEWS Each year, the Thurs- day Luncheon Group and the American Foreign Service Asso- ciation partner to encourage African- American involve- ment in U.S. foreign policy by sponsoring a summer intern at the Department of State. This year’s intern, Memphis native Candace Johnson, expressed gratitude for the opportunities and new experiences she’s had through this internship. “Maybe this shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but everyone has been so wel- coming,” Johnson says. “Had I not been the TLG intern, I don’t think so many people would have reached out to me and been so kind.” Johnson is working for the India desk in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, on the bilateral and strategic affairs team. Her daily duties include helping to resolve visa issues and organize bilateral meetings between Indian and U.S. government officials regard- ing business, investment and commercial relations. According to Johnson, the highlight of her internship was participating in a high- level meeting in September with the external affairs minister of India. Of her time at Foggy Bot- tom, she comments: “This summer has reaffirmed my desire to work for the govern- ment, particularly as an FSO.” She likes the idea of working with an organization for 30 years, but also getting to experience something new every two or three years. “This internship is ‘nine- to-five,’ but I’ve never felt like it was,” says Johnson. “It’s interesting, and I welcome that. I never look at the clock and ask, ‘How many more hours do I have to go?’” For more information on AFSA-supported internship opportunities, please visit www.afsa.org/tlg. n —Amy Jones, Communications Intern AFSA/AMYJONES On Aug. 13, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson welcomed Candace Johnson to AFSA headquarters where they discussed her aspiration to join the Foreign Service. TLG Summer Intern Catches the Foreign Service Itch AFSA NEWS