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.

New Job

I found out recently that after one written application and two interviews, I was offered a full-time position with NZSki on the Remarkables ski field. I don't know if I can accurately convey how excited I am about this. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I was able to get a full-time job for my first few months here even if it involved a LOT of cleaning, but I feel very lucky to be able to experience a ski season on the mountains for the rest of my time in QT.

Half of my day will be spent in guest services selling tickets and the other half will be in the retail show shop selling accessories. So far I have met my head of department and the other full-time person in the shop and they both seem very cool. There are only three of us working in the store which is a pretty small team. Some perks of the job include a free (or in my case reimbursed) pass to all the mountains around here, free lessons, reduced food and drinks and free transportation. I gave my two weeks notice at the hotel today but am going to stay on as a casual worker in case they need extra help or I want additional hours.

Orientation begins on the 11th and the mountains open on the 16th - everyone here is obsessed with the weather and praying and hoping for snow. It feels strange to be heading into winter when friends and family back home are writing about ninety degree summer days in May already. One thing is for sure, the morning bicycle commute is getting significantly colder with each passing day but knowing that I only have to do it about ten more times makes it a little easier.

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

3 comments

The De Jager Family on May 29, 2012 at 10:59 AM

Yay!! So exciting! Congrats on the new job. :)
Catherine on May 29, 2012 at 11:49 AM

Congratulations! That's super exciting. :) This job sounds like a lot of fun!
Linde on May 29, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Sarah! I'm so happy for you to get this new job! I can't wait for you to enjoy ski-bumming
=) yay!!!

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

New Job

3 comments