The Rhode Island State House
Posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2014 at 3:37 pm.
The Rhode Island State House
In this post, my colleague, Deb Shetler, shares her experience during a recent visit to Rhode Island.
Earlier this month, eight Summer Work Travel (SWT) participants had the privilege of meeting with the Governor of Rhode Island and touring the impressive marble state building as part of a cultural event organized by their sponsor organization.
The exchange visitors with Gov. Lincoln Chafee
Afterwards, the participants were able to learn more about Governor Chafee’s background and some fun facts about the state of Rhode Island including the historic State House. Did you know, for example, that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the entire country, yet has the longest official name: “The State of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations?” Or that the dome of the State House is the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world? The students also learned that the State Building houses an original cannon from the U.S. Civil War!
Dilara Shunayeva from Kazakhstan listens as Gov. Chafee responds to a question from the group.
It was a real treat to meet and speak personally with Governor Chafee, whose enthusiasm about his job was evident. The students learned that he worked as a U.S. Senator prior to becoming Governor. This unique meet-and-greet opportunity brought a smile to the students’ faces, as it is extremely rare for young people like themselves to meet with an elected government official in their home countries. And who knows, this meeting may have inspired one or more of these students to run for office one day!
Aleksandar Simonovikj of Macedonia practices speaking at the governor’s podium
Categories: Participants, Program Spotlight
| About Rebecca Pasini Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange | |
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Rebecca A. Pasini joined the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchanges in July 2023. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, Ms. Pasini has been an American diplomat since 1997.
Ms. Pasini previously served as the Director of Public and Congressional Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 2021-2023. Other Washington assignments have included positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. She has also completed multiple overseas tours, including as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, and as the Consular Chief in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other tours included Mexico City and Kuwait.
A Maryland native, Ms. Pasini has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, and an undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College.
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