You don’t need a special degree to become a political officer. Like in other career tracks within the Foreign Service, diplomats learn...

My experience with political diplomacy is based on two jobs in wildly different countries: the first was as an assistant in the...

No matter their chosen career track, all US diplomats have to complete at least one consular tour at the entry-level (in the first four...

Political officers focus on government-to-government relations, which is what you could call “traditional diplomacy”. They further policy...

Political sections in diplomatic missions (embassies and consulates) work on a large number of international issues. Typical portfolios...

In the US system, anyone can be an economic officer. You don’t need a special degree for it. Like in other career tracks in the Foreign...

I have some experience with economic diplomacy from when I was a political/economic assistant in the US Embassy in Montevideo for two...

No matter their chosen career track, all US diplomats have to complete at least one consular tour at the entry-level (in the first four...

The mains goal for economic officers are advancing their countries’ economic policy priorities, attracting foreign direct investment, and...

The issues economic officers work on are different in each embassy, but typical portfolios in the economic section include macro-economic...

Diplomats in the US Foreign Service work in one of five career tracks. Even though they’re called generalists—which means they can work...

It’s a common question by FS-wannabes: what should I read to prepare for the Foreign Service exams (the FSOT and the FSOA)? In my...

How do you buy a beautiful oriental carpet for a great price? That’s the question most diplomats have when they’re posted anywhere...

I recently got a question from a student about how to join the Foreign Service. It inspired me to look at the application process from...

I just realized I enjoy clubbing more now than I have for a long time. It’s almost like when I was in my early twenties, when I’d just...

What is it like to live in a country that was once part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)? Armenia is my first experience...

Yup, still vegan! Here’s an overview of the most common questions I get: Is it hard to be a vegan living abroad (in the Foreign Service)?...

In the diplomatic world R&R stands for “relax & relaxation.” The term is borrowed from the military and is used to talk about our annual...

I’m not a good driver. I’m nervous, inexperienced, and I have no sense of direction. That’s why I avoid driving whenever possible. Every...

Ah, the Marine Ball. Every year embassy employees get the opportunity to dress up and celebrate the US Marine Corps with a ceremony,...