On June 22, 2017 Dorothy Ngutter, a Diplomat in Residence for the Northwest Region of the United States, and Evan G. Reade, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer came to World Affairs to discuss with the Summer Institute students their experiences working in the Foreign Service. Through several articles as well as discussions with the speakers, students were able to get a grasp on American diplomacy and the various career paths the Foreign Service can provide. Below is a student’s reflection on meeting with the Foreign Service professionals and their class discussions.
Living in China was a novel, challenging, and above all, fascinating experience. When Mr. Reade said, “living in a foreign country will not only teach you a lot about that country, but also a lot about America,” I instantly knew what he meant. While experiencing China’s idiosyncrasies, I became aware of their American counterparts--while the Chinese have very complex ideas around relationships, Americans have romanticized beliefs surrounding individualism. While many Chinese have a disturbingly high amount of trust in their government, many Americans have a disturbingly low amount of trust in their’s. I loved finding similarities that illustrated common human values, and equally enjoyed finding differences that made me look at the world from a different perspective. Since that trip, I’ve craved experiences like it. I knew that whatever I did with my life, it had to involve copious travel and cultural immersion.
The field of international relations offered an obvious means to this end, so I began reading into topics surrounding it. I familiarized myself with current geopolitical issues, modern Chinese society and much more. I almost immediately became aware of America’s gargantuan international influence, and was forced to examine American foreign policy. Should the US be the world's police man? Should America national-build? Should it fervently promote Western liberalism abroad? I had heard so many affronts to these tenets of American foreign policy, and had to contemplate where I truly stood on these issues.
It occurred to me that many people around me gave little thought to the philosophical severity inherent in international relations and war. Some people say that we “shouldn’t risk American lives,” but are American lives more valuable than, say, Libyan lives? Some people say that we should “respect the sovereignty of other nations,” but if this sovereignty is held by a dictator--not the people--is it really worth respecting? Some people bemoan that we “shouldn’t have invaded Afghanistan because the war is wasting resources,” and then turn around and whine that we “shouldn’t have pulled out or Iraq because it left a power vacuum for ISIS.” I wish everyone would take the time to really consider their stance on these grave issues before they just repeat what was opined in some video from their Facebook feed. This would create much more empathy for those burdened with making earth-shaking decisions like that to invade a sovereign nation. It might even create more support for America’s mission abroad.
While aware of the Foreign Service’s mission, I was unaware of its internal culture. My dad, having been a civil servant for the past twenty years has told me much about the petty politics, intimidating bureaucracy and jaded workers. This left me with a serious suspicion of the public sector in general. Was the Foreign Service vibrant and passionate, like how the White House staff is depicted in “The West Wing?” Or, was it closer to dreary impassivity of the DMV? Mr. Reade and Ms. Ngutter spoke about their experiences with fondness and conviction. They were the kind of people who could work in any number of fields, but chose the Foreign Service because it would make a difference in the world. Let’s just say that Mr. Reade and Ms. Ngutter reminded me a lot more of Josh Lyman than of Rob from the DMV.
They also made it clear that a very particular kind of person excels in the Foreign Service. Someone who isn't afraid of constant change--someone willing to drop almost everything in exchange for something unknown. When they described how officers transfer posts every three years, I was smiling with glee, but I realize that this prospect made many uneasy.
The only real reservations I have at this point regard the legacy of the Trump administration on the Foreign Service. It is clear from the first Atlantic article we read, that the Trump administration has both reduced America’s international influence and sucked the life out of the Foreign Service. If this listlessness remains after Trump leaves office (I highly doubt it), I’ll have to deeply consider whether or not to join.
As of now, though, I am so glad to have spoken to these great individuals, and cannot wait to serve the world as a US Foreign Service officer.
- Harrison Linder
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