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Inside American Diplomacy With the Foreign Service: "Middle East, South Asia and Global Terrorism"

Program Number: 18260RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/10/2013 - 3/14/2013; 10/20/2013 - 10/24/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Price starting at: $845.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Political Science
Meals: 11; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

This illuminating program will take you into the depths of America’s most pressing foreign policy challenges: instability in the Middle East, balancing interests in the South Asian subcontinent, and combating global terrorist movements. Examine these topics and more as you experience privileged access to experts who have been on the front lines of diplomacy, and gain an enhanced understanding and appreciation of the work of the U.S. Foreign Service.




Highlights

• Engage in frank conversations as you probe the most important foreign policy issues we face around the world today.
• Attend briefings and meetings with diplomats on field trips to our nation's diplomatic training center — not available to tourists — and to foreign embassies in Washington, D.C..
• Visit our nation’s diplomatic training center, the Foreign Service Institute, tasked with preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. Foreign affairs interests overseas.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking and standing; must be able to get on/off bus.



There is a 3 night version of this program available with additional topics. Please see www.roadscholar.org/20545 for details.




Date Specific Information

3-10-2013

"U.S. China: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia." Examine China’s rise as an economic powerhouse with veteran Foreign Service Officers. Learn how China’s rapid development affects U.S. policy, and discover its influence upon its Asian neighbors.



10-20-2013

"Middle East, South Asia, and Global Terrorism." Topics deal with instability in the Middle East, balancing interests in the South Asian subcontinent, and worldwide terrorist movements. What are al Qaeda and Hezbollah planning? What will happen in Iraq? Will Afghanistan and Pakistan ever be stable?



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Washington

From the sophisticated ambiance of Georgetown to the bohemian rush of Adams Morgan, D.C. is a world-class city offering visitors an unparalleled blend of history, politics and culture. One of our nation's magnificent metropolitan creations, it is home to grand monuments, humbling memorials, and some of the country’s most visionary architecture.
Accommodations
Modern, boutique hotel with free parking in Upper Georgetown, close to Embassy Row, the Washington National Cathedral, and Dumbarton oaks.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Bernard Alter
Bernie Alter was a Peace Corps Volunteer in India from 1967-1969 and studied Hindi at Delhi University from 1973-1974. He entered the Foreign Service in 1975 and during his 31-year career with the Department of State, Bernie served in Lahore and Islamabad, Pakistan; New Delhi and Chennai, India; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Toronto, Canada; Hong Kong; and Seoul, Korea. He speaks Hindi, Urdu and Thai.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Savoy Suites Hotel
  Washington, DC 4 nights
 Savoy Suites Hotel
Type: Hotel
  Description: Located in the heart of Georgetown!!
  Contact info: 2505 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007 USA
phone: 202-337-9700
web: www.savoysuites.com
  Room amenities: All suite style rooms. Mid-size refrigerator; cable television; two-line touch-tone phones equipped with data ports, voicemail and automated wake up calls; clock-radio; iron and ironing board; hair dryer; Electronic Key Card locking system.
  Facility amenities: FREE High Speed Wireless Internet Access; FREE on-site garage parking; 24-hour concierge/front desk services; valet services; business office, secretarial, and copying services; late check-in for visitors with guaranteed reservations; complimentary use of the Washington Sports Club, a full-service health club (one block from the hotel); outdoor jogging and bicycling on the towpath of the C&O Canal National Historical Park; room service; complimentary Internet kiosks in our lounge; vending room; coin-operated laundry; complimentary door-to-door Metro shuttle service..
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: N/A Please call the hotel reservations department at 202-337-9700 to reserve additional nights prior to or following the program. Mention that you are with the Road Scholar group and they will offer you the best possible rate.
  Check in time: 3:30 PM
  Additional nights after: N/A Please call the hotel reservations department at 202-337-9700 to reserve additional nights prior to or following the program. Mention that you are with the Road Scholar group and they will offer you the best possible rate.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Start Time: Hotel check in is at 3:00 pm. Road Scholar program begins at 4:30 pm. You will be staying at Savoy Suites Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
End Time 1:00 pm. Hotel Check out is at 12:00, bags can be left at the front desk. You will be staying at Savoy Suites Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Please bring any form of photo identification in case our hosting embassy requires those for entry. A completed health/emergency information form is also required for participation in the program; this form was sent to all participants within five days of each person's initial registration.
  Parking availability:
There is no charge to park in the hotel garage. Participants should park outside the hotel, retrieve a parking pass at the front desk, and then enter the parking garage.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Washington, DC
  Nearest city or town:  Washington, DC
  Nearest highway: I-95 (I-495, I-395)
  Nearest airport:  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  From End of Program
  Location: Washington, DC
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Any

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$60
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

BWI is the least convenient airport to our location, but often offers the lowest airfares to the DC area.
 

Dulles International Airport (IAD)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Any

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$45
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

45 miles
   

Please make sure to schedule plenty of time to travel from IAD to the hotel (and back).
 

Union Station

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Any

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

15-20 minutes, depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

5 miles
   

Union Station is the end station for Amtrak, MARC and VRE trains. The DC bus terminal (stop for Greyhound, Peter Pan, and other major bus lines) is located two blocks north of Union Station.
 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Any

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

15 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

6 miles
   

DCA is the closest airport to our location.
 

From all area airports

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 800-BLU-EVAN
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

See "comments" section
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

See section for each individual airport 
 

Distance:

 

See section for each individual airport
   

From BWI: $35 for first guest, $12 for each additional guest, $1 fuel surcharge per person. From IAD: $29 for first guest, $10 for each additional guest, no fuel surcharge. From DCA: $14 for first guest, $10 for each additional guest, no fuel surcharge. (Prices quoted in December 2008, based on using the "shared van" service.)
 
Driving Directions
  From all directions Please refer to the driving directions included in the mailings from the program provider.
Equipment Requirements: While not required, we suggest bringing a notebook for use during lectures. As the hotel offers free high-speed wireless Internet access throughout the facility, feel free to bring your wireless-enabled laptop computers.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Registration, Orientation & Opening Presentation
(Sunday, March 10)
   
 Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 3:00pm.

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. This week, China and Asia will be our focus.
   
Accommodations: Savoy Suites Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Expert Presentations on Our Featured Topics, Free Afternoon, Evening Program
(Monday, March 11)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant. They begin serving at 6:30 am, and always make sure to have copies of the Washington Post for our participants.
 Morning: PRESENTATIONS: This morning features our first topical presentations. We will have two this morning, one from 9:00-10:20am and the other from 10:40am-12:00pm. There will be a short break between the two presentations.

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: China, the Korean Peninsula, Burma/Myanmar, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

 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.
   
Accommodations: Savoy Suites Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Embassy Field Trips, Lunch at Historic Home in Downtown Washington/FSI/ Free Afternoon and Evening
(Tuesday, March 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel restaurant. Depending on the morning travel schedule, time for breakfast may be a bit shorter than usual. If that is the case, the coordinators will let you know the previous evening.
 Morning: EMBASSY FIELD TRIPS: We will board our bus for field trips to embassies or other sites related to the program topic. In this program, we might visit the Embassy of Japan or the Embassy of Malaysia. Note: The specific field trip sites will be determined a few weeks before the program commences.

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: This afternoon, visit our nation’s diplomatic training center, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). Tasked with preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. Foreign affairs interests overseas, FSI provides more than 600 courses to more than 100,000 enrollees a year. 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.
   
Accommodations: Savoy Suites Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Expert Presentations
(Wednesday, March 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel restaurant.
 Morning: EXPERT PRESENTATIONS: Learn more about how American diplomacy works with lecture-discussions from 9:00-10:20am and 10:40 am-12:00pm, with a short break in between.

 Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch in the hotel restaurant.
 Afternoon: EXPERT PRESENTATIONS: Enjoy two more lectures on the politics and foreign policy 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 in Asia. There will be an optional movie screening following the lecture.
   
Accommodations: Savoy Suites Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Expert Presentations, Wrap-Up, Final Lunch
(Thursday, March 14)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast buffet served in the hotel restaurant.
 Morning: EXPERT PRESENTATIONS: The final lectures will wrap up our learning experience with two presentations. WRAP-UP SESSION: From 12:00-12:30 pm, we’ll review the highlights of what we’ve learned, address any lingering questions, and invite ideas from the group for improvement of the program.
 Lunch: Our closing lunch will begin slightly later than usual, at approximately 12:30pm. If you need to depart early, the kitchen staff can provide you with a simple boxed lunch to go. The program concludes with lunch. We hope you have enjoyed this exciting new program and will return for other rewarding Road Scholar learning adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Newspapers


Author: Various


Description: We do not require any reading prior to the program. We do recommend staying current on the news, as our topics will be current. Following the program, we will distribute a list of recommended readings to follow up on the course content.





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