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.

Vacation

The beach at Aracaju

My semester wrapped up around the 20th and after finishing my last class I took off and headed north for a week to spend the São João holiday in the capitol city of Aracaju in the state of Sergipe (more on that later). I got back a couple of days ago and have been scrambling to get ready to travel and hang out with my sister who arrives this afternoon! I cannot believe the day is finally here and I am so excited that she is coming to visit.

One thing that I know we will do is watch the game tomorrow (since that will truly be the only possible thing to do in this city on the Sunday of the Confederations Cup final). There's actually two important games: at 1pm there is the match between Uruguay and Italy for third place and at 7pm is the biggie for first between Brazil and Spain. The country already has cause to celebrate as today is the festival of São Pedro, the last of the saints celebrated in the June festivities. When Brazil wins tomorrow night, I'm anticipating lots of bonfires in the streets, fireworks and parked cars with all their doors open blasting music. It's going to be epic. Welcome to Brazil Susie!

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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

Vacation

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