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Foreign Service Institute

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FSI sets American diplomats up for success so they can ensure the success of American diplomacy around the world.

1/9 FSI at 70
FSI at 70
State Dept Image / Apr 07, 2017
2/9 FSI students gather for an impromptu study group in the Grove Atrium, a favorite gathering spot on campus.
FSI students gather for an impromptu study group in the Grove Atrium, a favorite gathering spot on campus.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
3/9 FSI facilitates coaching sessions for employees across the Department of State and around the world upon request.
FSI facilitates coaching sessions for employees across the Department of State and around the world upon request.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
4/9 FSI's language training is known for small class sizes, immersive learning techniques, and high levels of student engagement.
FSI's language training is known for small class sizes, immersive learning techniques, and high levels of student engagement.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
5/9 FSI tradecraft students practice briefing senior staff and colleagues in an interactive class session.
FSI tradecraft students practice briefing senior staff and colleagues in an interactive class session.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
6/9 A trainer tests new technology for use in the classroom in FSI's Ed-Tech Innovation Lab, where staff members experiment with new educational technologies to include in curriculum development processes.
A trainer tests new technology for use in the classroom in FSI's Ed-Tech Innovation Lab, where staff members experiment with new educational technologies to include in curriculum development processes.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
7/9 A crisis management training exercise, including real-time social media monitoring, underway in FSI's Immersive Learning Environment (ILE).
A crisis management training exercise, including real-time social media monitoring, underway in FSI's Immersive Learning Environment (ILE).
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
8/9 A junior officer preparing to leave for post peruses country-specific resources in FSI's Overseas Briefing Center.
A junior officer preparing to leave for post peruses country-specific resources in FSI's Overseas Briefing Center.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
9/9 FSI's wi-fi enabled campus and multitude of distance learning courses and study apps make it possible to learn and study anytime, anywhere.
FSI's wi-fi enabled campus and multitude of distance learning courses and study apps make it possible to learn and study anytime, anywhere.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2017
As the U.S. government’s premier foreign affairs training provider, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is dedicated to ensuring the career-long learning opportunities required for success in today’s global arena. FSI promotes substantive, regional, and linguistic expertise, leadership finesse, personal resilience and innovative problem-solving. FSI is proud to serve the U.S. Department of State and the entire USG foreign affairs community as a strategic enabler of diplomatic excellence.

The 21st century has brought unprecedented global change. Effective diplomacy is more essential than ever as we evolve to meet current challenges and future opportunities. FSI serves as a catalyst for that evolution. Employing cutting-edge educational technology, the latest advancements in cognitive research, and the work of innovative thought leaders from around the world, FSI challenges our professionals to explore new individual strengths, to broaden organizational capacities, and to strive for better outcomes for our country and the world.

As the chief learning organization for the Department of State, FSI works continuously to maintain its status as a Center of Excellence. Recent external recognitions include industry awards for innovation, technology, strategy, and collaboration from Chief Learning Officer magazine. Washingtonian Magazine also identified FSI training as a key factor contributing to a positive work environment at the Department of State in the feature article “50 Great Places to Work.”

Our Location 

FSI is located at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia. Situated in a campus-like setting of 72 acres, the Shultz Center is only ten minutes from the main State Department building in Washington, D.C.  FSI offers more than 800 courses (nearly 600 on campus and 275 via distance learning platforms) with approximately 170,000 enrollments annually.

Our Structure

The Institute is comprised of four schools and one center: