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.

Friends - old and new

A couple of nights ago I went with Sean to play ultimate frisbee and we met quite a few people. One of the players, Fiona from England, promptly invited us over for dinner after the game. Fiona has been here for five years and has absorbed the famous Kiwi hospitality that New Zealanders are known for. She said that when she first got here, a Kiwi couple invited her over for dinner so ever since she has tried to pass along the favor to newcomers as well.

It felt really good to be in a house eating a home-cooked dinner and we enjoyed a great conversation with Fiona and her roommate. They gave us advice on anything from where to eat, local churches, which "Sally Army" (Salvation Army) and "opportunity shops" to visit, what trails are the best to hike on to how to hitchhike around (it's very common and safe here, apparently).

Last night we met up with a high school acquaintance who I hadn't seen since graduation. She was traveling through NZ with a friend for a couple of weeks and our paths happened to cross. We met up for dinner and drinks and had a good time talking and sharing travel stories. The highlight of the night included a giant tower of beer, of course.

In other news, Sean got a full-time job at the Hilton today. He gets to be the room-service guy! Considering there were over 100 applicants and six people who interviewed just for this low-paying and low-ranking position, he feels pretty lucky and we are excited for one of us to be employed long-term. We also found a great room to rent with a Kiwi brother and sister who are close in age to us. They rent a house on the top of the mountain with a great view and we are especially excited that the room comes with its own bathroom. We move in on Wednesday - only 3 more days in the tent!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

Erica on February 3, 2012 at 11:12 PM

I want your shirt.

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

Friends - old and new

1 Comment