A Latina Diplomat's Journey
My personal blog
Tag: diplomat
A weekend in Luang Prabang
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Luang Prabang is one of Laos top tourist attractions. It’s surrounded by the Mekong and Khan Rivers.
Vientiane’s Wonders
Vientiane is home to some notable monuments, such as Patuxay and Pha That Luang. Patuxay Monument (ປະຕູໄຊ) translates to “Victory Gate.” Pha That Luang (ທາດຫຼວງ) translates to “Great Stupa.”
My First Month in Vientiane
I want to share with all of you a little snapshot of Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos. During the past couple of weeks, I’ve tried to absorb everything, explore new places, try new foods, and practice my Lao language skills.
My First Diplomatic Trip
If I told you that my very first diplomatic trip: from the United States to Laos that is, would be a smooth transition, I would be lying. In theory, you would think diplomats would embark on any journey without any major obstacles –I was… Continue Reading “My First Diplomatic Trip”
Learning my first hard language: Lao
The State Department organizes languages in four categories: category I (romance), II, III (hard), and IV (super hard). I am required to learn a hard language for my first diplomatic assignment overseas. Typically, for a hard language like Lao, State Department requires diplomats to… Continue Reading “Learning my first hard language: Lao”
Joining the Foreign Service: A-100 and Flag Day
I am excited to join the 6% of Latix Diplomats in the U.S. Foreign Service! I officially joined the State Department on July 20, 2020 – in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, my introduction to the Foreign Service was abnormal. I was… Continue Reading “Joining the Foreign Service: A-100 and Flag Day”
Interning at a U.S. Embassy for the First Time
The summer of 2019, I had the opportunity to intern at U.S. Embassy Bogota and have my first experience inside a U.S. Embassy! Embassy Bogota is one of the top 10 largest U.S. Embassies, so I was exposed to many aspects of the foreign service. This… Continue Reading “Interning at a U.S. Embassy for the First Time”
State Department Fellowship
Upon completion of my bachelor’s degree, I explored avenues in the private and public sectors, specifically in retail, education, and social care. After my second year of working full-time, I thought more in-depth about my “dream career.” I concluded that throughout my personal and… Continue Reading “State Department Fellowship”
Autobiography
My name is Marta (Mah-r-tah) Aparicio (Ah-pa-ree-cee-oh) and I’m a U.S. Diplomat. I was born in Zacapa, Guatemala. My parents immigrated to the United States when I was less than one year old, thus I was raised by my paternal grandmother – Mamá Marta.… Continue Reading “Autobiography”
A Latina Diplomat's Journey 