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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.

Where's Sean?



Originally, we had planned that Sean and I would travel together to Uganda, which was something I was looking forward to as long international hauls are much more fun with company. However, during the summer, Sean received an opportunity for a last-minute assistant guiding job working with high school students in a summer camp program to summit Mt. Fuji in the off season. The chance seemed too good to pass up which is why I've been in Mbarara on my own for three weeks and Sean has spent the last two weeks in Japan.


I've been able to Skype and message with Sean a bit while we've been apart and have loved hearing about his experiences - I wish I could have been able to join him on his adventures in Asia! As usual, I pestered him for pictures and they did not disappoint. He said that they were really lucky with weather on their ascent and all but one of the students were able to make it to the top. He has spent the rest of his time catching up with friends, filling up on good food and playing ultimate frisbee.

This morning he sent me an email with a few pictures showing that he was able to do an activity that's been on his to-do list for a long time - riding around the streets of Japan in a go-kart dressed as Mario. Yes, that's actually a thing. He said it was a blast and I'm happy he was able to squeeze it in as whizzing around in heavy traffic in a flimsy go-kart in costume was never high on my list.



Today, it's Saturday and I'm heading to Kampala, the capital city on Monday for the week to do some orientation at the embassy, give a workshop, have some meetings and also pick up Sean from the airport. Life in a rural city in Uganda is incredibly interesting but it's also really challenging. I'm counting down the hours until I can see Sean and also have a bit of a break to enjoy hot showers, air conditioning, more food variety and wireless internet. I plan to enjoy every minute of it!

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    Sarah Sanderson
    I am currently in Mandarin language training as a new diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. Sean and I depart for Wuhan, China in November 2019 for my first tour in consular affairs.
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    Grateful for my very tolerant, supportive and easygoing husband who's always game for a new adventure

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