Many people join the Foreign Service for the two words. They want to go to foreign places and serve their country. You can’t think about becoming a diplomat without thinking of Western European palaces, exotic Asian jungles, and something along the lines of Lawrence of Arabia. Despite this, many diplomats find themselves in ruts. The Foreign Service can be a great way to travel, here are a few tips to help you take advantage of the opportunity.
- Everywhere has redeeming qualities. Beaches, mountains, culture, food–something will be worth experimenting. Sometimes you can find beauty in the most obscure places, you just have to look for it.
- Try to become a local. You’ll never succeed at this, but it’ll be worth the effort. Knowing a few good dives goes a long way. Try visiting one place that Lonely Planet hasn’t.
- Take advantage of regional opportunities. You have a passport, and your airport almost assuredly flies somewhere you’ve never been. If you’re glum about your country of assignment, try visiting its neighbors.
- Use long weekends. I once had a friend who left every single long weekend. We got 20 holidays a year (American plus local), so she was quite the busy little bee. Her first tour had been a post known for low morale among entry-level officers, and she said it was the only way to survive.
- Get out of the city. Capital cities generally suck. It’s ironic but true. Find a place that’s close but out of the city and get to know it.
- Get to know the city. If you can’t beat them, join them! Eat once a month at a place you’ve never visited. Don’t just visit the museums, get to know them well enough to appreciate individual items. Try and find an Opera house, theater, music venue, etc. and become part of the scene.
I know I promised ten and only delivered six. That’s how I roll. I generally get 3-5 excellent comments that are as good as (or better than) what I write, so I’d like to turn over control to my readers. What do you think people can do to better see the world while living abroad?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The best thing I ever paid attention to while living abroad was the breakfasts that people eat. Cuisine says a lot about a culture, but I think that breakfast says the absolute most. Great, that your family will send you Frosted Flakes and Cheerios, but I say take up every offer you get to have breakfast with the locals.
(Thanks, by the way, for your blog!)
Great post, great blog.
I like visiting the local coffee/tea type shop regularly as a launching point to learn more about a place. It’s kind of self-selecting, though, as not all locals will visit them.
Seems that all of these things would apply to any expat working overseas for an extended period of time. I worked in Japan for 6 years in the private sector and found these to be true.
Is there anything specific about being a foreign service officer that makes different strategies necessary?
What posts are famous for lowering the morale of first-time officers?
I have heard that US-Mexico border posts can difficulty with morale (high levels of violence, not exotic enough/too close to home).
Find a way to join the community:
Volunteer, take classes in something,sign up for a sports league….