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.

Birthday 35

Graduating Class 13 Rotary Peace Fellows

Mid-summer birthdays have been in fun in the past because they usually occur when other celebrations are happening too. My birthday this year was no different and happened to fall on the ICU Rotary Peace Fellow graduation day which was a lot of fun. I was also majorly spoiled my some of the other fellows in my own class.

All of us - both class 13 and 14

Opening speeches at the seminar

The night before my birthday, I had had plans to enjoy a home-cooked Thai dinner with some friends and since it had been planned for awhile, I thought nothing of it. But after dinner, they surprised me with cake and some birthday celebrations. The next day, on the morning of my birthday, I returned to my apartment after class to find it decorated in balloons, presents and a two-layer chocolate cake in the fridge. I had forgotten that I had given out a spare key to a friend in case of emergencies and she had definitely put it to good use!

Then during the graduation, I received flowers from the Mitaka Rotary Club, the class 14 Peace Fellows and a gift and cake from my Rotary host counselor. Mom, Dad, Sue and Sean sent an awesome birthday package and before that I had received a surprise birthday box filled with goodies from my friend, Linde. Along with other cards and goodies from classmates, this birthday made me feel very loved and remembered even when I'm far away from the people I love most. Thanks for all of the birthday wishes!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

ecsphd@google.com on June 22, 2016 at 5:45 PM

What a Birthday!!! I'm all for it. Ed S.

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

Birthday 35

1 Comment