The interaction between the U.S. students and the foreign students provides valuable networking for both groups, students and officials say. Since 1994, the first year classes were offered at the Marshall Center, more than 700 students have completed courses offered through the center's Defense and Security Studies Program, designed for mid-level and senior civilian and military officials. Thousands of others have attended conferences sponsored by the center and participated in language training at the Foreign Language Training Center. Many of the students who have completed courses at the Marshall Center have already been promoted to influential positions in their nations' governments. The Marshall Center aims to teach the realities of democracy, including its shortcomings, Kennedy says.
Democracy is messy, long, costly and difficult.
If you are apprised of the complexities, you're less apt to be disappointed. All students have their own room in converted barracks that feel more like a college dormitory. Perhaps most important, each room has a television and a computer with Internet access. All of the students won't be convinced or changed, but some of them will. And that is important.