REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, program registration begins at 4:30pm in the hotel lobby, where you will pick up your arrival packets including your name tag and the most up-to-date schedule that we'll review during orientation this evening.
Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.Dinner: Enjoy a buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant. Begin getting to know your fellow participants and find out what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning and discovery.Evening: ORIENTATION: After dinner, you'll have an informative overview of the program plus an opportunity to meet the program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get-acquainted session. We’ll review the updated schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Orientation will last approximately an hour.
PRESENTATION: AFSA programs for Road Scholar begin with an introduction to the Foreign Service, embassies, the Department of State, and the work performed by diplomats around the world. Generally, the program administrator (a retired Foreign Service Officer) will make this presentation.
Established in 1924, AFSA (American Foreign Service Association) is the professional association of the United States Foreign Service. AFSA's principal missions are to enhance the effectiveness of the Foreign Service, to protect the professional interests of its members, to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards for both career diplomats and political appointees, and to promote understanding of the critical role of the Foreign Service in promoting America's national security and economic prosperity. Our particular focus areas for this week are the Middle East, South Asia, and global terrorism.Lodging: Savoy Suites HotelMeals Included: Dinner
Presenters are active or retired diplomats who are experts on each topic. So that the subjects and areas being discussed will be as current and relevant as possible, speakers are not finalized until a few weeks before the program; however, you can expect AFSA experts in this progam to address some or more of the following: Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah, and the Colombian FARC.Lunch: Enjoy a lunch buffet in the hotel restaurant.Afternoon: PRESENTATION: There will be another expert Foreign Service presentation from 1:00-2:30pm, following up or expanding on the morning discussions.
FREE AFTERNOON: You’ll have free time from 2:30-6:00pm to explore our nation’s capital on your own. We highly recommend some of the neighborhood attractions such as Washington National Cathedral, Dumbarton Oaks museum and gardens, and Embassy Row.Dinner: Enjoy a dinner buffet at the hotel restaurant.Evening: EVENING PROGRAM: From 7:00-8:30pm, you’ll hear from another Foreign Service expert on a topic of current interest followed by a film, typically documentary-style and related to the subject of the program. Films generally last 60-120 minutes.Lodging: Savoy Suites HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are more than 170 foreign embassies in Washington, DC. Embassies usually comprise several facilities. An embassy "residence" is the ambassador's official home, while the "chancery" is where diplomatic offices are located. Other facilities might include a separate office for cultural or military attachés, or for consular operations. Whether an embassy or the headquarters of a special interest group, we will meet with officials who will tell you how they represent the interests of their nation or organization.Lunch: We will enjoy lunch and a tour at the historic DACOR Bacon House in downtown Washington, DC.Afternoon: FIELD TRIPS: Tuesday afternoon will see the second of our field trips.
After about 3:30 pm, the afternoon and evening will be free to do things on your own. The program staff will be happy to recommend museums, excursions, and restaurants for your time off.Dinner: This evening's dinner is on your own, and has been excluded from the cost of the program.Evening: Your evening is off for free time.Lodging: Savoy Suites HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch in the hotel restaurant.Afternoon: EXPERT PRESENTATIONS: Enjoy two more lectures on the politics and foreign policy of South Asia from 1:00-2:20 pm and 2:40-4:00 pm, with a short break in between. FREE TIME: There will be a short break for some personal time from 4:00-6:00 pm.Dinner: Our final dinner together at the hotel will feature a special meal prepared by our chef.Evening: EXPERT PRESENTATION: We will continue learning about U.S. foreign policy, now switching over to hear more about global terrorism. There will be an optional movie screening following the lecture.Lodging: Savoy Suites HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner