U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. The work that diplomats do has an impact on the world as they serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

The duties of a Consular Officer include to provide emergency and non-emergency services to American citizens and protect our borders through the proper adjudication of visas to foreign nationals and passports to American citizens. We adjudicate immigrant and non-immigrant visas, facilitate adoptions, help evacuate Americans, combat fraud, and fight human trafficking. Consular Officers touch people’s lives in important ways, often reassuring families in crisis. They face many situations which require quick thinking under stress and develop and use a wide range of skills, from managing resources and conducting public outreach to assisting Americans in distress.

Hosting a new Kiwi friend

Andrew making the "whoa that's cold" face after jumping in Lake Michigan (about 50 degrees)

As part of the Citizen Diplomacy Challenge of the State Department (and also because it was a lot of fun) we hosted Andrew, an exchange participant from New Zealand, for the weekend. We made it an action-packed three days and I don't think it's a weekend that he's going to forget anytime soon! Andrew wanted to see real life in "small-town" America since he had mainly only spent time in bigger cities. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and we had a blast on the shores of Lake Michigan.

My parents were very excited to have Andrew with us and one night we had a traditional Midwestern summer BBQ with hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans. We finished the night by sitting around the campfire in the backyard and toasting marshmallows to teach Andrew how to make S'mores - he loved them but also commented on how Americans like everything very sweet.

He brought us real Cadbury chocolate from New Zealand!

On Saturday Andrew wanted to try hitting baseballs since he likes to play cricket in New Zealand. We took him to the batting cages and started off with slow pitch softball. He made it all the way up to the Major Leagues fastball and did great! He is looking forward to going to an actual baseball game in the coming weeks.

We finished the weekend by spending time at the beach and by going on a "Dune Buggy Ride" which is a must-do if you visit Michigan. We had a great time and it was hard to say good-bye. Hearing Andrew's stories about New Zealand definitely makes me want to visit his hometown of Christchurch some day!

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

0 comments

Wanderlust

In Mandarin: 旅遊癮 (lǚyóu yǐn)

According to my Mandarin teacher, the term 'wanderlust' can best be translated as 'a travel addiction or craving'. In the above translation, 'yǐn' has several meanings such as 'a strong impulse', 'a longing', or 'a desire'.

U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

Hosting a new Kiwi friend

0 comments