Reflections
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Navigating the Foreign Service: Reflections from My First Tour in Laos and the Career
Laos Embarking on my first tour in Laos, I quickly realized that the size of the Embassy and the country were just two pieces of the puzzle that shaped my experience overseas. Living in a small capital city in a compact country presented its own unique challenges, especially for someone who thrives in the hustle…
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Diplomat’s Holiday Adventures: From Homecomings to Exotic Getaways
The life of a diplomat is one filled with intrigue, international affairs, and a passport stamped with more destinations than one can count. But what happens when the holiday season rolls around? Just like everyone else, diplomats have their own unique way of celebrating….
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The Adventure of a Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Work, Travel, and Unexpected Surprises
In the world of foreign service and the military, there’s one phrase that gets everyone excited – TDYs (Temporary Duty Assignments). During my time in Laos, I had the incredible fortune of embarking on not one but two TDYs!
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What does a Consular Officer do?
What do you think about when you hear, “the consular section” of an Embassy? Let me start by saying the consular section does much more than just adjudicating visas. There are two subsections – American Citizen Services and Visas. In case you don’t know, the #1 priority of a U.S. Embassy is to assist U.S.…
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Bidding for my Second Tour
The bidding process for the second tour was a bit arduous, at least relative to the first time I had to bid. As it turns out, there are a lot of moving parts in State Dept.: when I have to depart my current assignment, when the other Embassy wants me to arrive, what training do…
A Latina Diplomat's Journey 