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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.

Last summer days in Holland


I knew the summer at home in Holland would go by quickly but I didn't think it would go by quite this fast. This is my last weekend at home and I have enjoyed a lot of time with Mom and Dad and right now we are hanging out inside, wearing sweatshirts and watching football. Yep, it got cold suddenly this weekend which seems fitting for the beginning of college football. Sean is gone this weekend on his traditional guys camping excursion that they all call "Bridge Trip" since they head up to Mackinaw Island. It's strictly no girls allowed which is fine by me since that means I get to spend more time with my family before taking off to China next Thursday (ah!).


I didn't get a chance to post about this but one night that was a lot of fun was a combination of Jaclyn's party, an outdoor Starfarm concert in Kollen Park and Tracey's martini birthday celebration at 84 East. (Thanks for Al Serrano for the artsy pictures in the park!)


After dining at one of my favorite restaurants on 8th streets, Subs'N'More, my friends Al, Misha and I headed over to Jaclyn's house to hang out a bit before going to the concert. The 80's band Starfarm has been a favorite for our group as they have performed in Holland a lot and are always an entertaining crowd pleaser. We even saw a random rainbow in the sky over the lake! During a break in the concert we headed over to Boatwerks on the lake for a drink and then Misha and I went down town to meet Tracey and some other girls for martinis and drinks to celebrate her birthday.


The next day I was able to get together with my old Hope College roommate. While I was gone she had had her first baby! I was excited to meet him and catch up on all the news in their lives. Mary made me a tasty all-American meal: cheeseburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, salad and an ice-cream dessert. I'm trying to eat as many of my favorite foods and foods that are hard to find in China before I go back!

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    Sarah Sanderson
    I am currently in Mandarin language training as a new diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. Sean and I depart for Wuhan, China in November 2019 for my first tour in consular affairs.
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    Grateful for my very tolerant, supportive and easygoing husband who's always game for a new adventure

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