Realities of Foreign Service Life

by Patricia Linderman (Editor), Melissa Brayer-Hess (Editor)

Mention a diplomatic career and most people imagine high-level meetings, formal dress and cocktail parties. Few stop to think that behind the occasional glitter of official functions are thousands of families facing all the routines and crises of life-births, deaths, childrearing, divorce-far from home, relatives, and friends, in an unfamiliar and sometimes unfriendly country and culture. This book provides reflections and perspectives on the realities of Foreign Service life as experienced by members of the Foreign Service community around the world. The writers share their unvarnished views on a wide variety of topics they care about: maintaining long-distance relationships, raising teens abroad, dealing with depression, coping with evacuations, readjusting to life in the United States, and many others. These are stories from the diplomatic trenches-true experiences from those who have lived the lifestyle and want to share their hard-learned lessons with others.

If you are new to the Foreign Service, this book will offer insights and practical information useful in your overseas tours and when you return home. Even if you are a seasoned veteran of the Foreign Service, the reports and reflections of others may encourage you to compare and evaluate your own experiences.
If you (or your partner) are contemplating joining the Foreign Service, this book can serve as a reality check, giving you honest, personal perspectives on both the positive and negative aspects of Foreign Service life.
If you are a student wondering what the Foreign Service is all about, this book will broaden your knowledge and provide you with an insider's view not found in any textbook.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, International Relations

290 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2002

Reviews

[Justin Tapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great idea. It is a compilation of essays by FSOs, spouses, and children regarding specific aspects of Foreign Service life. Packing and travel, handling crises and evacuations, finding employment for trailing spouses, education challenges, dealing with depression, handling marriage and divorce, and more are covered in this quick read.

The book is rather dated (2002), the Internet was still relatively new at publishing. (There is a newer Volume 2 I will have to check out.) Some of the resources it provides are still available and applicable, but some chapters on things like communication with America are obsolete. The Foreign Service itself has changed very recently, it's harder with the current hiring freeze for trailing spouses to find Embassy than it has been in a long time. The career hiring Registers are no longer cleared and would-be careerists are now encouraged into non-career Consular service. That culture shift definitely alters decision-making and career trajectories.

A few chapters I found very relevant and helpful:
The chapters on the Yemen evacuating and Kenyan Embassy bombings.
Preparing and saving for the expensive/tricky tour(s) in DC.
Spouse struggling with depression.
The chapter dealing with the pack-out.
Chapters dealing with education.

[Jonathan Mckay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays from Foreign Service Officers (FSO's) and spouses, many of which seem to have already been published in the American Foreign Service Association. (www.asfa.com)



The book is roughly organized into the categories in areas like family life, living abroad, working at the State Department etc. Unfortunately this meant that only a small portion of the book contained information that I was really looking for- details about working for the state department. The plurality of the book deals with marriage in the Foreign service.



For the parts that I was interested in, it contains interesting stories of personal experiences and examples of how the state department will react in emergencies. All in all the book seems to serve as a warning that "You won't have the things you want when you're in the middle of nowhere." Hopefully everyone who reads the book already knew that.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like others have mentioned, this book is mostly written from the POV of spouses of FSOs and is a bit outdated. That being said, I think it is good for people who are married or have kids and want some advice about whether a career in the foreign service is worth it.

If you don't have a family, are well-traveled/come from a multicultural background, and/or are looking for information on the foreign service itself, I wouldn't recommend this book.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an introductory book for anyone looking to join the Foreign Service. While it provides some great general information, it was compiled in 2002 making it a bit old considering the changes in the global environment based on 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, ISIS, and the rise in global instability. That said, if you can find it used for a few bucks, it provides some first hand information of the benefits and challenges of the lifestyle.

[Ashley]

i don't really want to rate this since it's more informational than anything. i think this is a helpful book for anyone who is considering a career in the foreign service, and provided a lot of insight in areas that i hadn't thought about.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked all the perspectives from different people - great collection!

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but outdated in many areas.

[Kelly S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed through this in a day. Recommend for those considering Foreign Service or a world-traveling job, and *especially* for their family members. However, if you were a military brat or have lived overseas before, then you are probably already familiar with many of the adjustment issues this book is designed to prepare you for: limited grocery items, "professional" movers, spouse's lack of career options, etc. Having a little experience in this realm, the book didn't offer much new information other than the too-brief chapter on crisis situations. But if living abroad is new to you, you're unaware of what luxuries you'll give up leaving the US, or you are still considering if this is the life for you, then give a quick read.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is still a must-read for those considering Foreign Service life, although it is a tiny bit out-dated in parts (i.e. the section on technology and long-distance communication), it is also more focused on the impact on spouses/partners than on the FSO themselves. Regardless, it gives a very good insight into some of the everyday challenges of Foreign Service life from packing, to spousal employment, educating children and saving for the children. I especially liked the chapters on "trailing husbands", "JAGS- gay spouses", and a very witty chapter "The Eighteen Cups: A Tale from the Medical Clearance Process".

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting and had lots of useful information about the effects of joining the foreign service on family life. As others pointed out some of the information is outdated, particularly the section on communication (but this book was published in 2001, so a lot of people were likely computer illiterate). I also found the section on spousal work options to be repetitive and skipped a couple of the essays; however, I realize this book is intended more for accompanying spouses, rather than those who wish to join the foreign service as employees.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I agree that the lifestyle is different and can be difficult, I believe that this series highlights many of the negative aspects of foreign service life while not mentioning all the wonderful positives. If I'd read this book before we joined, I may have been discouraged from doing so. My time overseas has been some of the hardest, but also some of the best times of my life. I don't believe this series is, oh how I hate to say it, "fair and balanced."

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book's insight into the life of the foreign service. Told from the family's point of view, it opened my eyes to the impact that the foreign service has on spouses, significant others, and kids who are with the FSO. Excellent read and very insightful. Really does show the pros and cons of the life of an FSO family.

[Christina]

I got about half way through this book and decided that I had no desire to join the Foreign Civil Service. So I gave up reading it. Otherwise, it gives a good idea of the lifestyle of Foreign Civil Service workers.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book that opened my eyes to the realities of the FS. One story was of a family that was at the Nairobi embassy when a bomb exploded. Luckily no one was hurt. Interesting read.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focuses mainly on the life of spouses of Foreign Service Officers, rather than the FSOs themselves. So not quite what I was expecting, but a good book to read if you or your spouse (or just someone you know) is considering joining the Foreign Service.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're considering a career in the foreign service, this book is an essential part of the decision-making process.

[E.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

what to expect!

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best for someone single and just starting out. Most of the essays center around spouses, and the information (as of now) is 10 years out of date. However I don't regret reading it.

[Rose Lindgren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories and personal anecdotes that helps illustrate what one is getting into when joining the Foreign Service, especially for spouses and family members