Foreign Service Institute

The Foreign Service Institute is the Federal Government's primary training institution for officers and support personnel of the U.S. foreign affairs community, preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington. At the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, the FSI provides more than 450 courses -- including some 70 foreign languages -- to more than 50,000 enrollees a year from the State Department and more than 40 other government agencies and the military service branches.

The Institute's programs include training for the professional development of Foreign Service administrative, consular, economic/commercial, political, and public diplomacy officers; for specialists in the fields of information management, office management, security, and medical practitioners and nurses; for Foreign Service Nationals who work at U.S. posts around the world; and for Civil Service employees of the State Department and other agencies. Ranging in length from a half-day to 2 years, courses are designed to promote successful performance in each professional assignment, to ease the adjustment to other countries and cultures, and to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of the U.S. foreign affairs community. Other courses and services help family members prepare for the demands of a mobile lifestyle and living abroad. FSI has one program available to the general public. Recently FSI has worked with the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) to make security awareness training available to U.S. private business members that operate overseas. This training is provided on a reimbursable basis.

FSI has one program available to the general public, the "Private Sector Security Overseas Seminar" (PSOS). This 2-day course is offered 2-3 times a year, and is made available through the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) to make security awareness training available to U.S. private business members that operate overseas.

Employees who will be working under Chief of Mission authority at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or other post or mission abroad are now required to complete mandatory personal security awareness training. "Safety Abroad for Families and Employees" (SAFE) is a 4-day training program designed for employees, other than State Department Foreign Service employees, who have never worked in an embassy abroad. The program includes the content of two FSI courses: "Working in an Embassy" and "Security Overseas Seminar."

PSOS and SAFE are provided to non-State employees on a reimbursable basis at the Shultz Center, 4000 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, Va. For information about course dates, cost, and application procedures, contact the FSI Office of the Registrar, on (703) 302-7144/7137.