New Diplomat Welcome Event Held

On October 10, Cultural Exchange for Diplomats (CED) held its annual New Diplomat Welcome at the historic Meridian House in Washington, DC.  On this beautiful fall day, there were 90 diplomats and special guests in attendance representing 42 countries and organizations, including the IMF, the World Bank, the European Parliament, the European Union, and the OAS. CED volunteers were there to greet attendees, acquaint them with our organization, answer questions, and provide informative materials about CED regarding our cultural exchanges and our many programs. 

Martina Landsmann-Dudde from the German embassy, our diplomatic speaker, shared some of her experiences as a member of CED and how her time here has been enhanced by participating in CED events and making friends with other diplomats and volunteers.  We send thanks to George Washington University Hospital for being our corporate sponsor this year.

Full Text of Talk by Martina Landsmann-Dudde from the German Embassy

- Today, I am the chosen one - not because I am the best speaker, but as a huge fan of CED! As I arrived here in Washington DC for the first time back in 2007, still in the middle of unpacking, a lovely American lady from THIS, now called CED, knocked on my door. I invited her in, and it ended with coffee, sweets and some lovely and interesting hours of chatting and an invitation to join CED and their McLean group. From the start I really felt welcomed, and I am very happy that I found great and long-lasting friendship over all these years. Coming back to DC a second time in 2019, thanks to CED, I felt it was a little bit like coming home.

- Since that first day, I have been with CED at numerous meetings and different groups – geographical, linguistic and cultural – have participated in excursions, concerts, and guided tours such as the Supreme Court, the Senate, the White House, Kennedy Center, and numerous museums in the city. I have been invited to lovely programs and celebrations and into beautiful embassies, residences, cultural Centers and private homes too.

-A highlight for me was a multi-day invitation to Aiken, South Carolina, because the host from CED wanted to show us her hometown and the real America. We made beautiful memories, like visiting a famous horse race, having dinner under the stars with the Senator, and learning local dances. An unforgettable experience!

-During my first stay, I also had the great pleasure of working on an art exhibition in a gallery in DC with other international diplomatic artists which was incredibly fun.

-These are all highlights and precious experiences but, in my opinion, the most important and most beautiful are the regular meetings in the many diverse groups offered: local, such as Arlington, Potomac and the Northern Virginia groups, as well as wonderful language and country groups, like the German, French and Spanish groups. Here you really get to know wonderful diplomats and volunteers who welcome you, accompany you, help you with questions and problems if necessary and sometimes find friends for life.

-You can practice your English or other languages and get to know and celebrate festivals and holidays with American friends, like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day. You can share your country and your culture, enjoy delicious food from around the world and, above all, feel at home and have a lot of fun.

-After all my wonderful experiences, I can only recommend to all newcomers to join CED and get involved. Be open to the great offers and all the wonderful opportunities to get to know and exchange not only the American culture, but also international cultures, languages and histories through CED, and enjoy the precious time here in the USA. I am really looking forward to seeing you all again soon in a lot of different groups and events.

-Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the tireless volunteers who prepare and organize all the wonderful events from the bottom of my heart, for all the time, love and work they put into this big family. You are all a real blessing for us and you are highly appreciated. Thank you so very much for everything. Thank you and a warm welcome to you new diplomats!

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THIS has a New Name: Cultural Exchange for Diplomats