Washington, D.C.
Inside American Diplomacy With the Foreign Service
Program No. 18260RJ
Discuss foreign policy with diplomats, attend international briefings and go behind the scenes of key diplomatic institutions as you gain special access to the U.S. Foreign Service.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
10 meals (
4B, 3L, 3D
)
7 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Intro. to AFSA
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Hotel check in is available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
Dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. AFSA’s programs for Road Scholar provide unparalleled opportunities to learn directly from American foreign service professionals who were “there” in person. Guest speakers for Road Scholar AFSA (American Foreign Service Association) programs are active or retired diplomats who are experts in their fields. Please note that the speakers are not finalized until just before the start of the program; the final list of speakers will be included in the materials distributed at the start of the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We’ll begin our program with an introductory film on the American Foreign Service. From the U.S. Department of State website: “As the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, the U.S. Department of State represents the United States at more than 270 diplomatic locations around the world, including embassies, consulates, and missions to international organizations.” AFSA began working with Road Scholar in 1996. The goal was and is to educate participants about the work of the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA programs for Road Scholar have reached some 10,000 participants in Washington, DC and elsewhere around the country. These educational programs feature retired and active diplomats and focus on learning more about the important and varied work of the U.S. Foreign Service, to include presentations by diplomats from across multiple foreign affairs agencies as well as a discussion of current hot topics.
Day
2
AFSA Lectures
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will attend two lectures this morning at the hotel with a short break in-between. The mission of U.S. diplomats in the Foreign Service is manifold: to promote peace, support national security goals, advance U.S. business and agricultural interests, and protect American citizens. As we examine U.S. foreign policy issues in action, gain in-depth, behind-the-scenes knowledge of life in the Foreign Service from active and retired officers and ambassadors who will share their personal experiences firsthand. Lectures are enhanced by Q&A sessions.
Lunch:
In the hotel.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy one more stimulating presentation on another aspect of the U.S. Foreign Service. Participants will then have some free time following the afternoon lecture.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
AFSA will provide a screening of a movie related to the theme of diplomacy and the Foreign Service.
Day
3
Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Embassy Row
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Walking short distances. Getting on/off the motorcoach. Standing for up to 1 hour at a time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Our first field trip this morning takes us to the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, which has been preparing students for foreign service since World War I. During our visit we'll explore the school with Georgetown staff and experience a day in the life of a foreign service major with an orientation and a mini-lecture straight from the school's curriculum. We’ll then transfer to the historic DACOR Bacon House in downtown Washington for lunch.
Lunch:
At DACOR Bacon House. This unique private organization for foreign affairs professionals fosters professional and social networking and provides opportunities for candid dialogue in the trusted environment of a stunning historic mansion (built in 1825) just two blocks from the White House.
Afternoon:
Next, we will board a motorcoach and explore our nation’s capital with expert commentary on board as we drive through and learn about the history of “Embassy Row”— in and around a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue — and more. There are more than 170 foreign embassies in Washington. Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to go out and see more of the city on your own, spend time with new Road Scholar friends, or simply relax.
Day
4
AFSA Lectures, Foreign Service Institute
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Getting on/off the motorcoach. Standing for up to 1 hour at a time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
In two expert-led presentations this morning gain more in-depth information about the program theme and hear from diplomatic staff about their personal experiences.
Lunch:
At the hotel
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will depart the hotel via motorcoach for a field trip to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), the Federal government's primary training institution for officers and support personnel of the U.S. foreign affairs community. The FSI is part of the State Department’s campus known as the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. Led by an expert, we will learn more about the FSI and its work preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests. The FSI provides more than 600 courses, including 70 foreign languages, to more than 100,000 enrollees a year.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will attend an after-dinner lecture to continue learning various aspects of the U.S. Foreign Service and American diplomacy.
Day
5
Final Lectures & Wrap-Up, Program Concludes
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check out is by 12:00 Noon. Bags may be left at the front desk until departure.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll have one final lecture and wrap-up session in the morning with AFSA staff. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
Mar 22, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026
Apr 12, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026
Sep 20, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026
Oct 25, 2026 - Oct 29, 2026
