Two kinds of sadness
“The sadness you don’t see. The sadness you don’t know.”
Author: Den Hoopingarner
What I do changes lives
Today, I talked with 87 different people who wanted to go to America. To some of them, I had to say: “no,” and to some, I could say: “yes.” This story from NPR, about a visa interview 25 years ago, and where the applicant ended up, is a reminder that my decisions can have a huge impact on people’s lives.
Christopher Francis prayed in earnest before arriving at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1973.
It was 2 o’clock in the afternoon and the course of his life depended on this moment. He needed to make a case to a man named David C. Harr about why he deserved a visa to the United States.
…
About a half-hour later, with his visa stamped and signed, Francis and Harr shook hands. Harr wished him the best. It was July 20, 1973.
A month later Francis traveled to the U.S. to train as a nurse. As years passed, he climbed the ladder to become director of inpatient and outpatient services of his hospital department. Today, he’s a U.S. citizen with a wife and two daughters.
The rest of the story is amazing. It’s worth a read:
https://www.npr.org/2018/04/29/606859276/how-a-half-hour-in-a-u-s-embassy-changed-a-life
Adding personal travel to business travel: win
Taking some of my own advice about business travel, I decided to tack on an extra day to a recent trip. Totally worth it.
I spent a day in the city of Nha Trang, which is on a beautiful stretch of beach. It’s a popular vacation spot. People go swimming and watch the sunrise.
Sunrise on the beach. This is what I’m talking about.
I spent the day catching up on reading, took a long walk, ate some local food, and relaxed.
Yes, there is whiskey in that glass. I think. The bar was stingy with the portions of liquor, but the presentation was pretty great.Â
Talking to high school kids
Instead of a bell or a buzzer to signal the start and end of classes at this school, someone beats this drum. No, really, I swear to God that’s what happens.
On a recent trip to a city in Vietnam, I got to talk with some high school students about studying in America. The focus of my talk was the wide range of choices that American colleges offer. I told them that they should really think about what they want out of life, and then decide if studying in America is the best choice for them.
When I talk with high school kids in another country, who don’t really have a strong concept of the American college experience, I like to show the number of majors that a typical college offers. One of the most popular majors that Vietnamese students choose is business administration. That isn’t surprising, given the focus on economic development in modern Vietnamese society. But I like to choose a medium-sized American college, and then list all of the majors that the college offers. It usually blows their minds. Which is the point.
I managed to hold the attention of a room full of really smart kids for at least 33% of the time.
During the Q&A, their questions focused on the three topics that people usually ask: safety, cost, and the Trump Administration’s policies. I wore my diplomat hat and answered the questions truthfully and tactfully.
I really like talking with students, especially students at this kind of high school. This is what they call a “gifted” high school. Students here are on the fast track to the best universities in Vietnam. They are smart, advantaged, and are clearly the upper echelon of Vietnamese society. They will be the leaders of their generation. I’m proud to have shared with them some American values and what our educational system has to offer.
…then you must be a caveman.
From the hotel’s safety instructions.
Everyone’s favorite sports team?
“Washington Americans”
Business travel is not a vacation
Even though I really like visiting other places, and I enjoy meeting up with colleagues from different posts, and it’s fun to be in a new environment, business travel is a different experience from leisure travel.
I my previous career in academia, I traveled a lot for work. Academic conferences are held in different places around the country, so I went to a lot of big and small cities around America (and a couple of times in Canada). But when I was there, I usually saw the inside of hotel conference rooms more than the local sites. I’ve been to most US states, but have probably missed out on what each state has to offer. Business travel is for business, not pleasure.
My recent trip to Thailand was an eye-opener. I spent four days in Bangkok, and this was about all of the city that I saw:
Hi, Bangkok. You look interesting. Wish I could have gotten to know you better.
Don’t misunderstand: the trip was valuable. I learned a lot. The government got very good value for the cost of sending me in the trip. The trip was great for me, professionally. In addition to exchanges with colleagues about our respective experiences and activities at posts, we got some valuable guidance from higher up the hierarchy.
Extra credit if you know what “IO” stands for.
Personally, though, it was disappointing. We spent a lot of time in a dark conference room looking at a screen:
Not only did I not have time to enjoy the city, but I had to leave a little early in order to get back to Vietnam and prepare for my next trip.
This is not the right way to live. If I’m going to have to put up with the nonsense and inconvenience of travel, I should take some time on one side or the other of the trip, and do some touristy stuff.
In case you were wondering, the answer is yes, Vietnamese feet can be just as stinky as American feet can be. Thanks for demonstrating that for me, inconsiderate fellow traveler.
So here’s my resolution: from now on, I’m going to carve out some time for myself every time I travel for business. I’ll pay for my own hotel room, pay the additional air fare as needed. Since I’ve endured the journey, I might as well get some enjoyment out of it. Life’s too short. It’s time to mix in some pleasure to the business. I did that a few times in the past. My wife and I enjoyed a great afternoon scootering around British Columbia while there for a conference several years ago. I’m going to try to do something like that on every trip from now on.
Stay tuned.
Pretty heartless statement
“I don’t really care if you cry”
Two of my favorite things:
In a bar in Bangkok.
Whiskey and books.