Cultural Immersion

For US military officers, living in a foreign culture as an Olmsted Scholar delivers two years of constant surprises, intimidating at first then exhilarating. Overcoming challenges, large and small, develops a new kind of confidence that never goes away.

Years later, Scholars recognize that they earned their readiness to face the unknown from the Olmsted experience.

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“The greatest leaders must be educated broadly.” General George Olmsted

“The Olmsted experience helped create a foundation of understanding and insight that served me well as I went on my mission to the International Space Station with an international crew of diverse backgrounds.”

Colonel Michael Hopkins, NASA Astronaut
OSC '03 Parma, Italy

“The Olmsted experience works because it attracts and promotes cultural curiosity. This is something I apply every day in interacting with others onboard.”

Lieutenant Commander Emily Bassett
OSC 09 Cadiz, Spain

“The Olmsted experience prepared me to rapidly adapt to new environments, which is why I thought it possible to launch a campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives with no previous political experience.”

Representative Kenneth Rizer, Colonel (Ret.)
OSC '98 Stockholm, Sweden

“The Olmsted experience helped create a foundation of understanding and insight that served me well as I went on my mission to the International Space Station with an international crew of diverse backgrounds.”

Colonel Michael Hopkins, NASA Astronaut
OSC '03 Parma, Italy

“The Olmsted experience works because it attracts and promotes cultural curiosity. This is something I apply every day in interacting with others onboard.”

Lieutenant Commander Emily Bassett
OSC 09 Cadiz, Spain

“The Olmsted experience prepared me to rapidly adapt to new environments, which is why I thought it possible to launch a campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives with no previous political experience.”

Representative Kenneth Rizer, Colonel (Ret.)
OSC '98 Stockholm, Sweden

Olmsted Foundation Active Duty Directors are serving in their personal capacity and do not represent their service or the Department of Defense.

Cultural Immersion

“The greatest leaders must be educated broadly.” General George Olmsted

“The Olmsted experience helped create a foundation of understanding and insight that served me well as I went on my mission to the International Space Station with an international crew of diverse backgrounds.”

“The Olmsted experience works because it attracts and promotes cultural curiosity. This is something I apply every day in interacting with others onboard.”

“The Olmsted experience prepared me to rapidly adapt to new environments, which is why I thought it possible to launch a campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives with no previous political experience.”

“The Olmsted experience helped create a foundation of understanding and insight that served me well as I went on my mission to the International Space Station with an international crew of diverse backgrounds.”

“The Olmsted experience works because it attracts and promotes cultural curiosity. This is something I apply every day in interacting with others onboard.”

“The Olmsted experience prepared me to rapidly adapt to new environments, which is why I thought it possible to launch a campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives with no previous political experience.”

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