Think Global, Talk Global – Working Toward a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service
In a world of modern technologies, the easiest and fastest thing to do is to “get information.” The challenge is how to process the information and what would be the end-product of this process. Information could be disastrous if processed by demented minds.
To ensure the common goal of every nation around the globe – that is peace – and to protect the balance of life and death, the global community should maintain a standard communication that transcends colors, races, ethnicity, languages, geographies, histories, agendas and political interests. Every bit of information that circles around the globe must be put into good use for the common good and survival of humanity. This is the ultimate goal or else everything will fall apart, in time.
To learn and master the skill of communicating with the rest of the world, it takes an adventurous soul with an analytical mind to study the art of global communication.
The concept of bridging nations and exchanging resources is part of that communication. This is where Foreign Service comes in.
A Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree is not for everyone. It is unique, comprehensive and challenging. It is also exciting and rewarding. It is a degree that prompts one to have an excellent mind that is trained for critical thinking and a massive intelligence in inter-disciplinary fields such as linguistics, theology, history, politics, literature, sociology, economics and international laws and policies.
The Beginnings
The stories of international relationships started as early as the establishment of states and civilizations. But in modern USA, one university made a strong advocacy and commitment in training men and women who will soon become diplomats and international liaisons, the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service within Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Founded by a Jesuit priest in 1919 who acknowledged the necessity for a learning institution that would put Americans into the world map as diplomats and professionals, the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service became a top breeding ground for USA’s emissaries in international relations.
Georgetown University’s program for Foreign Service is both commendable and prestigious because of its special dedication to humanitarian service. The foundation of the Jesuits’ spiritual mission to make the world a better and safe place is still intact and recognizable. At least 2,000 students from 80 nations around the world enlist to Georgetown every year to get a degree.
Meanwhile, the other top universities that offer Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service are Harvard University (United States), London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom), Yale University (United States), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), Princeton University (United States), Australian National University, National University of Singapore (Asia), University of Tokyo (Japan), University of Hong Kong (Asia), Peking University (China), and Seoul National University (South Korea).
Job Opportunities
Studying Foreign Service is not easy. It takes hard work, dedication, determination, versatility and an insatiable hunger for international knowledge and information. But the career path for graduates of Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service is a life-changing opportunity. Diplomats and humanitarian envoys live in places around the globe where a specific history is written and a specific information is revealed – ready to be tapped and used in time of need to assure global peace.
Danger, challenge and isolation could be possible in line of work abroad. Hardship posts as they call it include war zones, climate hazards and poverty-stricken countries could be common assignments but at the end of the day, Foreign Service is a noble career that helps the world smoothly communicate and operate.
On the brighter side, those who work in Foreign Service usually get the big payments. Others work in banking, consultancy, foreign investments, law, government service and international agencies. Most often than not, graduates of Foreign Service, especially those from Georgetown, end up as ambassadors, prime ministers, judges, bankers and even presidents of the United States.
