First Week in the Foreign Service

My first week of orientation in the US Foreign Service is done.  What was it like?  Well, first there is my class.  It's large -- although I'm not exactly sure how big the class could be -- but I think this class is up there.  It's varied with lots of different specialists, which is nice.  The best part, though, is as I'm getting to know my fellow specialists, I'm extremely impressed, and slightly humbled, by just how great these people are.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since we all had to go through the same rigorous recruiting process.  I'm definitely looking forward to becoming friends as well as coworkers with my classmates.

Everyone else I've met at the Department of State has also been kind and courteous.  On the shuttle to the Foreign Service Institute in the mornings, I've talked with foreign service officers training for their first tours as well as those getting refreshers and then on their way to their eighth post.  It's been fun so far.

Lots of information -- LOTS.  I actually needed to take a nap today, not from physical exhaustion, but I think from mental.  Thank goodness we have weekends off!

My only complaint...the heat and humidity.  Since we have to wear suits and ties every day (which, in a way is fun), I usually start sweating about 10 seconds after leaving my building.  I know Boston can get hot and humid in the summer, too, but it's a much more pervasive, and constant humidity here.  Besides, I haven't had to dress up like this for a long time.  I'm sure in time I'll get used to it.  I hope so, because as a financial management office, one of my potential postings is Charleston, SC.  I suspect it's even hotter and more humid down there.  The up side is that I'm usually about 3 pounds lighter at the end of the day that at the beginning.  And since orientation started, I've actually lost 5 pounds total.  Not too bad.

No photos of orientation or inside State property.  But, here are pics of me before the sweating begins:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday