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.

Snorkeling in Bali

The day before we had arranged a snorkeling trip along with a visit to "Turtle Island." But the night after surfing I started to get a pretty bad stomachache and visited the bathroom quite a lot so I didn't go the next day. These are the memories of the experience related to me by Sean. I totally wish I would have felt up to it because the experience sounded awesome.

Sean and Daniel were first driven to a place to get fitted for snorkel gear and then they got into a glass-bottom boat and drove about 20 minutes until they reached a good snorkeling place. Sean said the snorkeling was amazing. There were a lot of brightly-colored fish which crowded around the swimmers because everyone had two pieces of bread. Sean said that there were fish everywhere and that they kept their bread in plastic bags so you could swim to a new place, take some bread out and begin attracting fish all over again. The boys got to snorkel for about and hour and whipped through all the pictures on an underwater camera. We haven't gotten it developed yet but I am anxious to see how the pictures turn out. ($30 hotel, $20 snorkeling)

After snorkeling they went to Turtle Island which consisted of a turtle farm where they were able to touch and pick up turtles. They also were able to have fun in the large petting zoo and got their pictures taken with a variety of animals. Sean especially liked holding the bat though he thought it was a little creepy. ($9 lunch, $22 dinner and drinks)

The snorkeling and Turtle Island took up most of the day and when Sean got back we just spent the rest of the day relaxing and hanging out. We found a nice little outdoor restaurant and bar near our guest house that had a happy hour, free wifi and movies every night shown on a big screen. I'm pretty bummed I missed out but I'm hoping that we'll be able to snorkel again in the Philippines. Total for 2 people = $82

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

3 comments

Dena on February 20, 2011 at 9:01 PM

Wow, looks like so much fun!!
Courtney Duffy on February 27, 2011 at 11:06 PM

Hi,

I found your blog through CIEE and am just admiring all of your adventures! My fiance and I are strongly considering applying to teach English in China through CIEE. Would you recommend the program? And the experience in general? I definitely have mixed emotions about it and would love to hear your thoughts if you have the time!

Thanks so much,
Courtney
Sarah Sanderson on March 1, 2011 at 9:21 AM

Hey Courtney,

I do recommend the CIEE program and the experience in general. We only planned on staying one year but liked it so much we ended up staying for another year and it's going to be really hard to leave. If you want more details you can email me =) (sanderson.58@osu.edu) - Sarah

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

Snorkeling in Bali

3 comments