Group Introduces New Diplomats to Washington, American Culture by Serena Lei In August 1999, when Inga Kramer moved to Washington with her husband, German diplomat Bernd Kramer, her intention, as she explained, was to live her American life. Although insecure about her English fluency, Kramer wanted to immerse herself in her new culture and make the most of her time in the United States. At the German Embassy, she filled out a questionnaire for The Hospitality and Information Service (THIS). ìThen, the most astonishing thing,î Kramer said, ìI got a call from an American woman, and she was from THIS in the McLean, Va., area and asked if she could visit me. It was a wonderful day because normally no one welcomes you when you come to a foreign country.î Connie Small was one of the first volunteers to welcome Kramer to the city. She invited Kramer to join the McLean English conversation group, a service group that Small fondly calls ìher pet.î For 18 years, Small has been volunteering for THIS, which was created to introduce newly arrived diplomats to a new city and a new culture. The English conversation grou p, an informal and social rather than instructional gathering, is part of THISís services. THIS began in 1961 when the State Department needed a full-time organization to handle the increasing number of new diplomats in the city. The nonprofit, nongovernmental organization was created as an affiliate of the Meridian International Center, which has similar goals of promoting international understanding. Mamie Murphy, executive director of THIS and one of the only two staff members on board, explained that THIS works exclusively with accredited diplomats. ìWe try to provide educational opportunities specifically for them,î Murphy said. ìWith our programs, they are able to meet and interact with Americans as well as diplomats from all over the world.î The organization is run by a corps of nearly 300 volunteers, some of whom have been with THIS for more than 40 years. It is the volunteers who decide on the programs and services, greet the diplomats, and truly drive the organization. The large majority of volunteers are women, as are the diplomatsóspecifically the spouses of diplomats, who are the main beneficiaries of THISís outreach. Kramer regrets that her husband is usually too busy to attend most THIS events; however, the McLean group holds a potluck dinner twice a year where the husbands are encouraged to join in. THIS sponsors include the spouses of nearly every White House Cabinet member and the spouse of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. Honorary sponsors include the U.S. chief of protocol and the president of the Meridian International Center. Murphy explained that the sponsors add credibility to the organization, and although sponsors are rarely involved in THIS activities, last spring, Alma Powell, wife of Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, gave a presentation at an orientation for new diplomats. THISís activities are broken down into program committees and service committees. Service committees meet on a regular basis for book discussions, bridge, English or foreign language conversation classes, and walking tours. Calling Committee members meet new diplomats when they arrive. Other personal services include Home Hospitality, where diplomats visit an American home, and Person to Person, where diplomats are matched with volunteers who have similar hobbies. Recently, through Person to Person, a South American diplomat who specialized in dressage was able to connect with an equestrian volunteer and find a proper venue for his hobby. Volunteers also often open their homes to diplomats during the holidays so that they can experience a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal. Programs are variable and a calendar is sent out quarterly offering activities from executive tours of the State Department to family events at the National Zoo. Cooking demonstrations, dance lessons, museum visits and lectures are also among the programs available. Just recently, THIS hosted a program at the Meridian International Center titled ìMeet Washingtonís Mayor,î a meet and greet with Mayor Williams for members of the diplomatic community. As a nonprofit organization, THIS does not charge for its services. However, they ask that diplomats pay a small fee to cover the cost of the programs. Volunteers pay membership dues and often provide food or decorations for meetings. ìWe donít hold fundraising events, but we do need to do fundraising on a professional level,î Bea Fitch, a THIS volunteer, explained. ìWe will try to find international companies who see a benefit in establishing ongoing relationships with the diplomatic community and hopefully be willing to give us a hand.î Fitch, a THIS volunteer since 1996, spends about 20 to 25 hours per week volunteering. ìThe diplomats are afforded a chance to get to see and do things that are a bit out of the ordinary,î she said. ìThey are taken behind the scenes, like breakfast on the Hill with a senator Ö dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Center.î Fitch focuses on services such as the Calling Committee and Person to Person. When meeting with new diplomats, she provides them with what amounts to an orientation kit with information from maps and emergency numbers to instructions on how to use coupons. Also included is a cookbook with temperature and measurement conversion tables and an extremely popular breakdown matching cuts of meat to pictures of animals. ìSometimes, things can be very plebian and be surprisingly helpful,î Fitch said. ìItís nothing major, but itís just that they feel they are not alone, and that, to me, is so valuable.î A few years ago, the McLean English conversation group came to the rescue of a Malaysian couple in Vienna, Va., that had lost their house and personal property in a fire. The conversation group held a fire shower, providing the couple with blankets, pillows, pots and pans, as well as a check donated by THIS volunteers. ìIt wasnít an enormous sum,î Small said, ìbut it was a heartfelt contribution. This is a family away from home.î The McLean group, which is co-sponsored by the McLean branch of the American Association of University Women, has been recognized by the United Nations with a Blue Ribbon award for ìfurthering the ideals of the United Nations.î The Calling Committee volunteers try to reach newcomers as soon as possible. The State Department provides THIS with a list of new diplomats, but it is also essential that embassy liaisons contact THIS when new families arrive. Small recounts calling on the wife of a Pakistani diplomat, who was home alone while her husband worked and her children went to school. ì[She] is an example of someone who was just plopped down in another cultureÖ. Very often it is the diplomatís wife that is missing family and finding shopping difficult, does not have a car available, may have a limited knowledge of English, and is really lost Ö and feeling lonely.î Fitch and Small have both lived in foreign countries, as have most of the volunteers. They have had similar experiences acclimating to new cultures and have a desire to continue their involvement with the international community. THIS volunteers tend to be multilingual, well educated and retired, with time available to hold service programs during the day. Fitch described her experience with THIS as having given her insight into the conditions and struggles of other countries. ìOur sorrows, our joys and our concerns are identical Ö we work together for a common purpose, and I have made lifelong friends among the members. I feel tremendously fortunate,î she said. Small sent me a photograph of a mock Malaysian wedding that the McLean English conversation group held last May. Women from Thailand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Finland and Sudan are crowded together on a sofa or on the floor, clapping and laughing. ìThe majority of embassies have participated,î Murphy said. ìOur highest participation is from European and Asian embassiesÖ. The embassies we are really trying to attract and bring in are African and Latin American embassies. We are trying to find out how we can best meet their needs.î Three years after arriving in Washington, D.C., Kramer is still taking full advantage of THISís programs and network of friends, and her English has improved. ìI enjoy this very much,î she said. ìI always say this is my familyÖ. This is my American life.î THIS is located at the Meridian International Center, 1630 Crescent Place, NW. For more information, please call (202) 232-3002 or visit www.this4diplomats.org. Serena Lei is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.