Visit to the US Embassy
This afternoon I met with a Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in New Zealand. I learned a few neat things:
- Upon mentioning the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, the Officer I spoke with immediately admitted to knowing other Foreign Service Officers who got their start with the same scholarship. Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation groom individuals to become world leaders!
- Public Affair Officers have just as many (if not more) people-to-people interactions as exchanges with the press. The day-in-day-out duties of a Foreign Service Officer vary dramatically and require one to be “reactive”.
- As one progresses through a diplomatic career, he or she can bid for positions based upon rank, location and language skills.
- Many Foreign Service Officers spend about half of their career in the US (namely, Washington D.C.)
What a treat! The officer shared a candid perspective on the life of a diplomat and that kind of opportunity is invaluable.
On August 15, 2009 I interviewed for and received a Rotary International Ambassadorial scholarship. Rotary International is sending me to study abroad in New Zealand for an academic year and there I will act as a goodwill ambassador on behalf of Rotary and the USA. I am so thrilled to have this opportunity and will use this blog to share my before-during-and after experiences.
Following
