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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.

2017 Marine Corps Ball

Posing with the marines and their birthday cake
One of the benefits of being an English Language Fellow is learning about how a U.S. Embassy functions as well as understanding more about the professional and social lives of the American diplomats who work there. In the social calendar of the embassy, the two most important events are the 4th of July celebration and the annual Marine Corps Ball, which is held every November. This year, Sean and I were invited to attend and we wouldn't wait to experience another fun and interesting tradition of working internationally with the State Department.


The Marine Corps Ball (MCB) celebrates the birthday of the Marine Corps - November 10, 1775. It's a very formal occasion which is usually well-attended by American and international diplomats and marines. This year, the U.S. Embassy, Kampala MCB was held at Speke Resort and Conference center, about 20 minutes outside the capital. Sean and I decided to make a weekend out of the event and reserved two nights at Speke which was a great opportunity to get out of Mbarara, enjoy Lake Victoria, play ultimate frisbee in Kampala and take advantage of the largest lap pool in East Africa.

Ambassador Malac entering with the marines


Each MCB follows a prescribed formal agenda which includes a lot of tradition. Before the actual ball, attendees gathered at an outdoor bar for drinks, appetizers and conversation. After that, we were invited into the large ballroom and found our tables. The ambience felt like a military-style wedding - everyone was dressed to the nines, the decorations were extravagant and there were about 300 guests in attendance.



Before dinner, there was an official ceremony which included the presentation of the marines and the colors, speeches by invited guests and the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, and the national anthem. My favorite part of the agenda was the cutting of the marine's birthday cake, which was accomplished with an actual sword. The first pieces were given to the oldest and youngest marines in attendance as well as Ambassador Malac. After all formal ceremonies and traditions had finished, we were invited to the buffet, which was fantastic and had an impressive array of international and local dishes. For dessert, we had pieces of the birthday cake, which were delicious.

Our beautiful table

After dinner, the music was turned up and everybody started dancing - Ambassador Malac was the first one on the dance floor! We also had the chance to take pictures in front of the official flags. Sean and I were seated at the table which had several other fellows and their partners and we made a lot of new friends. It was also a lot of fun to drink and dance with diplomats who I had only previously seen in business attire in professional situations at the embassy.

The party lasted until midnight and we were very happy that we had only a short walk to our room instead of a long bus ride back to Mbarara. After experiencing our first Marine Corps Ball, it's easy to see why many expats consider it their favorite event of the year. I hope we get to go again sometime!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson edit post

1 Comment

  1. Kelly Olson on November 15, 2021 at 1:10 AM

    Awesome bblog you have here

     


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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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