By Crystal Bock Thiessen, President, Lincoln Council for International Visitors
Left to right: Crystal Bock Thiessen, Global Ties U.S. staff (Ivan Escamilla, Judy Donner, Franzi Rook), Michael Graf.
*Editor’s note: Network DC brings representatives from our Community-Based Members to Washington, DC for one week to build connections with the National Program Agencies and U.S. Department of State, as well as pitch their cities to host International Visitors. In May, we welcomed Crystal Bock Thiessen from Lincoln, NE and Michael Graf from Reno, NV. They share their experiences here.
What were some key things you took away from Network DC?
Network DC really gave me the opportunity to see first-hand how the Network works together to bring exchanges like the International Visitor Leadership Program to our CBMs. I especially enjoyed learning more about the process from the perspective of the Office of International Visitors, the NPAs, and the liaisons, as well as for our International Visitors before they even arrive in Nebraska, which helped me to connect the work that we do on a larger scale.
I also came to understand the key roles each department plays in creating the most meaningful experience for both the visitors and the communities they meet in the United States. As a part of an all-volunteer CBM, I brought back with me a renewed sense of the important part that we also play in promoting and supporting the everlasting impact of these exchanges, which is important for us to grow and move forward in our mission of citizen diplomacy.
During Network DC, you had to “pitch” your city and explain why it’s a good place to host International Visitors. How would you describe your city in five words or less?
Globally minded with Midwestern values.
What is your favorite part of hosting International Visitors?
By far, the human connection. I absolutely love when our visitors and our community members have opportunities to connect and converse because I know these will be lasting experiences for all involved, and quite inspiring. From sharing ideas through professional meetings to sharing dinner in the homes of our Dinner Diplomats, the International Visitors bring the world to Lincoln and our community members send a piece of Nebraska back with them. Citizen diplomacy is the most personal, and in my opinion, one of the most effective forms of diplomacy. We’re proud to be a part of such an important endeavor.
What is the single greatest impact you think exchange programs have on your community?
I hate to give the same answer for two different questions, but again I think the biggest impact exchange programs have on our community is the human connection that is fostered and sustained. In a time of severe political tensions and divisions where neighbors and even families are often fractured over opinion and information, I take comfort in the fact that we bring together people from all walks of life, from different countries and cultural backgrounds, and with different social and political views, for conversations to share views and ideas, and camaraderie.
The human connection is so often the piece that’s missing from our debates and views on others; exchange programs have a vital role in bringing a global human connection through local impact.
Any advice for future Network DC participants on how to make the most of their visit?
Just like our International Visitors during their days with the CBMs, Network DC has a lot to offer in only a short amount of time, so arrive rested and ready to engage. Reading through the schedule beforehand and educating yourself on the relationships made (contacts, past projects, etc.) between your CBM and the various NPAs will make your professional meetings more personal.
Also, having true knowledge of and pride in your city and state resources is essential for an engaging presentation—don’t just talk about them with your slides, but show through photos and your passion.
Finally, enjoy knowing that you are working with so many people and agencies interconnected through the same mission of citizen diplomacy. Network DC is your time to really understand this network more fully so that you and your organization can continue to do the best work possible in meeting this shared goal.
Crystal Bock Thiessen (left) and Michael Graf (center) spoke with Lola Pak (right) on Facebook Live at the U.S. Department of State as part of the Network DC program. Credit: Ashley Yu
Crystal Bock Thiessen (left) and Michael Graf (center) spoke with Lola Pak (right) on Facebook Live at the U.S. Department of State as part of the Network DC program. Credit: Ashley Yu
By Michael Graf, International Program Specialist, Northern Nevada International Center
What were some key things you took away from the program?
My Network DC experience allowed for our organization to connect further with the program staff at the NPAs, as well as ECA’s IVLP staff. It was great to see the faces of the people we work with year round and learn how each NPA operates in the proposal and programming process. It was especially beneficial to present our city to ECA staff and share the various resources our CBM has offer to IVLP projects.
You had to “pitch” your city and explain why it’s a good place to host international visitors. How would you describe your city in five words or less?
Unique, diverse, beautiful, bountiful, relevant.
What is your favorite part of hosting International Visitors?
My favorite part of hosting IVs is to learn about the challenges they face in their countries and to hear firsthand their perspectives regarding those challenges. Each time I sit in on an IVLP meeting, I see our community members learn more from the visitors than they initially had expected. Afterwards, it is great to see our resources keep in touch with IVs via social media months and years later.
What is the single greatest impact you think exchange programs have on your community?
Reno is a landlocked city, so each visitor that meets with our resources provides a great sense of connectedness, relevance, and inclusion of our work in Nevada into the global pulse. Since the IVLP is such a topically diverse program, it touches almost every sector of our local, rural, and state communities. Having the IVLP in our community keeps our resources thinking globally, and shows how northern Nevada is very similar to many other parts of the world.
Any advice for future Network DC participants on how to make the most of their visit?
My advice would be to tailor your presentation to focus on the great resources your community has to offer, while presenting unique and unknown facets that may lend themselves to special IVLP project opportunities. Also, ask the NPAs and ECA any questions you have regarding the IVLP and how it comes together. The staff at Global Ties U.S., the NPAs, and OIV are more than willing to answer any query we had. It was a great experience!
Hear more from Crystal and Mike in the Facebook Live session with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.