Hi Ambassador Galt, are you ready for your 20 questions?
I'm ready!
Where are you from originally?
I'm originally from Colorado.
How many languages do yo speak?
Seven on a good day.
Ambassador, where did you go to school?
Hi Mike.
I went to Colorado College for my undergraduate, and John Hopkins SAIS for my masters degree.
Thank you very much. I'll pass this along.
What made you want to work for the state department?
You know...
I participated in an exchange program in high school and caught the international travel bug...
...and wanted to do something to give back to my country.
So the state department seemed like a good combination.
Hi there! That's for you. Thank you very much.
So where have you lived and worked as a foreign service officer in the State Department?
Pretty much all over the world.
Everywhere from India to China to Brussels to Mongolia to back here in Washington.
Thank you! Carry on.
What's your favorite international food?
I'd have to say Italian gelato.
How do you stay in touch with friends and family overseas?
I'm a big facetime user.
What's your favorite color?
Purple!
And here we are, Chris! Nice to see you!
Would you like some coffee?
I would love some coffee.
Or we have tea?
I also like tea, or a diet coke if you have one?
I can find one.
I'll go with cofee. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
If you can have lunch with any two people who would they be?
I would love to have lunch with the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Hello, Rick! How are you? Hello. Nice to see you.
Nice to see you. I was wondering....
From your time in Mongolia, do you have a favorite memory of meeting with exchange alumni?
You know, I have a lot of memories of meeting with our exchange alumni.
Probably my best was meeting with the young leaders in my residence every month.
I learned something from every conversation and really came away inspired.
So that would have to be the top of my list.
Excellent
Thank you. Thank you. Have a good afternoon.
What's one thing you want everyone to know about exchange programs?
That they broaden your world view...
...open your mind to different perspectives and different ideas.
Hi there! How are you?
Good. If you could create a new exchange program what would it be?
Well I did create a new exchange program.
A young leaders program for young Mongolians.
And I really appreciate all the young leaders programs that ECA administers.
So if I had to do it over again I'd create another young leaders program.
Great, thank you!
Thank you. Have a good afternoon.
What was your favorite subject in school?
History.
What was your proudest moment as an ambassador?
I'd have to say...
...seeing the American flag flutter over Sukhbaatar Square in downtown Ulaanbaatar
when I presented my credentials to the President.
Hello!
Hi, how are you guys? Nathan. Kelsi. Good...
May I ask you a quick question?
You bet.
So when you're looking to do something cultural what kind of things do you enjoy?
I enjoy classical music...
So I would go to a symphony orchestra concert, maybe an opera, perhaps a ballet.
Very nice.
What are some of your hobbies?
I like to read, to travel, to jog, to walk, to hike, bike, anything outdoors.
Nice...
Thank you. Have a good afternoon!
Do you have any pets?
I do not, but my family always had a dog when I grew up.
Mike, how are you?
Good. Do you have any travel tips for our exchange participants?
I do. I would recommend they research the school and the community...
...where they're going to be spending their time as an exchange participant.
Also, when they get to the consular interview, always tell the truth.
Great.
And now for the last question.
Where can people learn more about State Department exchange programs?
They can go to exchanges.state.gov.
Thanks for answering 20 Questions!
You bet. Thank you. Cheers!