The partial government shutdown continues in the United States and it is hurting both the economy and federal workers. Keeping personal opinion aside, let’s lay out a few facts about the shutdown: Today is day 28 of the shutdown Today is January 18, when federal district courts run out of funds. Civil cases may be suspended …
How the Shutdown is Affecting the State Department Read More »
Growing up overseas due to the Foreign Service has many pros and cons. Some of them are noticeable and immediate impacts, while others are only fully appreciated, or even understood, many years later. Below, my sister Cristina talks about her experience with having grown up abroad as a Foreign Service Brat. Though this is her …
This week, Heather, from the blog Adventures Around the World, shares her perspective as a single “solo” Foreign Service Officer. Her story is one shared by many in the Service, but not one readily discussed because of its hard truths. A career in the Foreign Service has many perks: the profession, the chance to visit …
Single Foreign Service Officers: Dropping a Truth Bomb Read More »
I am excited to kick off the Stories from the Field series with Danielle, the author of the blog 2 Cats, 7 Continents, and a spouse of a recently hired FSO. How recent? They go on their first deployment in June. Exciting! Danielle breaks down her and her husband’s Foreign Service application timeline, moving to …
The FSO Application, Becoming an Officer, and Moving to DC Read More »
The Foreign Service is more than a career, it’s a lifestyle. At a minimum, you are consistently moving to a new post every few years, interacting with different cultures from your own on the daily, and learning (sometimes quite painstakingly) that there are indeed many ways to interpret an event or action. The lifestyle has …
Stories from the Field: Recollections of the Foreign Service Read More »
With the opening of the Cuban and US Embassy on each other’s state, this seemed like a timely and informative post to write. Quick question for you, if you visit an embassy are you technically on foreign soil? Think you know the answer? Great! Keep it in mind for now. I’ve got a couple of …
