PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- I love to travel. Every chance I get, I seize the opportunity to explore a new city, state, or country. The history, culture, architecture, food--I love experiencing it all. I especially enjoy international travel because I feel as though I learn so much and potentially bust myths or stereotypes that were inaccurate or just plain wrong. Equally important, I get a chance to sometimes break negative stereotypes about Americans. Sometimes, though, I don't even have to travel to accomplish both.

Through my civilian job, I have the opportunity to host quarterly dinners for international military officers. To date, I've hosted six dinners for nearly 40 officers from more than 20 countries. It's an amazing experience, and I always learn something--actually many things. Sometimes, my guests come from countries that I haven't even heard of before or can't locate on a map. Most of the time, my impression of a particular country rests entirely upon one person. Just as important, I realize that their impression of Americans is based--at least to some extent--on their interaction with me.

I'm no diplomat; I host these dinners because I thoroughly enjoy it. It's not my job to be an ambassador for the United States--I'm just hosting a home-cooked meal with friendly conversation, right? Wrong.

Although it's not in my job description, it's still my responsibility to ensure I'm representing my nation and my fellow Americans in a positive way. This doesn't mean bringing up specific talking points, justifying everything my country's leaders do, or bragging about America's greatness. Rather, it's about finding common ground, showing the warmth of American hospitality, and listening more than speaking.

Sometimes, my home has been the first or only American household that some of these international officers have ever entered. Hopefully, I have left positive impressions. One Pakistani officer told me that prior to coming to my home, he had always thought Americans were inhospitable. He said having dinner at my house changed his mind, and he would tell his friends, family, and coworkers about his experience. That is international engagement on an interpersonal level.

The significance of interpersonal engagement seems to be understated. There are numerous negative stereotypes I've heard about Americans, and many are based on a select few. If I can break one negative stereotype and replace it with a positive experience, I feel as though I've accomplished something, however small-scale it may be. Similarly, my experiences meeting people from other countries have broken many of my misconceptions and changed my opinions for the better.

I truly believe these person-to-person interactions contribute to greater understanding, sometimes better than can be accomplished at diplomatic or political levels. One person really can make a difference.

In the military, having positive relationships with our partner nations' militaries is incredibly important. These bonds aren't only forged by generals and defense ministers; the relationships have to be cultivated at all levels. We fight and die alongside our partners and allies from across the world, and they do the same with us. Interpersonal engagement, even at the most basic level, helps grow these relationships, which increases communication, thus leading to greater mission effectiveness.

I don't control U.S. relations with other countries. I have no say in the interactions between our leaders and international leaders across the globe. I can't help how people view the U.S. as a whole or Americans in general. However, I can control the impression I make on others. Listening and understanding go a long way. With each trip I take abroad and each international experience I have from the comfort of my own home, I truly feel as though I can--and do--have a role in improving international relations.