Garrett Harkins is a native of New York State who discovered his interest in global affairs at a young age. However, that interest was only turned into a real passion upon his arrival at American University in Washington, DC where he was able to see international affairs in practice. From his classes and extra-curricular activities—such as interning at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea—Garrett discovered that diplomacy was a career that would allow him to pursue his goal: to grow as an individual while acting as an agent of positive change. The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship has given him that chance, both by guaranteeing him a place in the Foreign Service and by providing for the education necessary to be an effective representative of the United States.