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.

Dutch Love

I know that I've written about my hometown of Holland, Michigan many times before, but I just can't emphasize enough what a beautiful and bizarre little place it is. Most obviously and importantly, however, is that it's chock full of Dutch people. You know the kind - I grew up watching Dutch people sweep their driveways, water tulips and dress up plastic geese and kissing cousins in their yards and used a phone book where the 'V' section was miles longer than any other letter (VanDerPlank, Vanhitsenveldt, VenDruunen etc.)

You know you want one

The latest installment of the ever popular Holland Sentinel, however, most definitely takes the cake. According to the article "Dutch Love" by Lisa Ermak, a television network in the Netherlands wants to partner with Holland, Michigan to make a reality program focused on finding love for Dutch people interested in getting to know their true roots. I personally think the idea is genius and if I were not already married would be submitting my application as we speak.

The show is going to be called "Origins of Love" and looks to find a few 25-45 aged singles in both Holland in Europe and Holland in the U.S. To apply, you only have to be 2nd or 3rd generation Dutch and have an interest in the Netherlands and your own Dutch heritage.

If you find true love on the show you could end up like this!

“We’re talking about real love here. We really want to hook up people with each other . . . hopefully they will end up with one special person. In the past we’ve done this show in Scandinavia and a couple of the singles moved to either America or the other way around.”

"The women in Holland are beautiful and very low maintenance. They’re very down to earth and have a great sense of humor, so for all the men in Holland Mich., give it a try and maybe she will move to Michigan for you.”

So there you have it folks - a reality television series based out of little 'ole Holland, Michigan. Move over Bachelor and Bachelorette - this one's going to be a hit! I can't wait to see who's in it because in a town like Holland, chances are I'm going to know who they are.

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

Rebecca B on September 9, 2012 at 12:39 AM

How funny! I hope it makes it on tv :) I actually have a classmate who married someone from Holland, the Netherlands...they could be guests on the show. ;)

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

Dutch Love

1 Comment