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.

Bahian traditional food

From lefto to right: fish moqueca, caruru and vatapá

On Saturday night, Sean and I were invited over for a big traditional Brazilian meal at a student's house. We got to try some dishes that I hadn't ever had before including caruru which is a mixture of finely chopped okra, onion, shrimp and nuts along with the dende or unique palm oil that is used here. Along with the caruru we also ate vatapá (another traditional dish made with palm oil), chicken, fish moqueca, rice, and beans.

Ready to eat with Zelia (Shalon's mom) and Shalon

I think my favorite part of the meal was the pudding which was absolutely fantastic and covered in a carmelized sauce. Shalon's mom said that next time we come over she will show me how to make the pudding so I can replicate it at home.

The dinner was kind of a thank you for helping Shalon get accepted into a study abroad program in the States. Next fall he will be attending St. Ambrose college in Davenport, Iowa for one semester. Shalon is so excited about this opportunity that he can barely contain himself. He has to pay for his own flight and room and board but he doesn't have to pay for any of the tuition. The university here in Brazil has an agreement with St. Ambrose to send one student a year on a full ride and Shalon was lucky (and had worked incredibly hard) enough to get it. For the past two months we have been practicing English and interviewing in preparation for the selection process so I felt like I had won in a way as well. Congratulations, Shalon!

The heavenly pudding

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

0 comments

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

Bahian traditional food

0 comments