What Diplomats Do

You may have noticed that I haven’t written a word on this blog since I joined A-100. Because I’m too busy, right? Well, there’s actually another important reason.

First Assignment: Berlin!

I could hardly contain myself as the announcer, speaking to a room filled with newly minted diplomats and 300 of their closest friends and family, began: “Berlin, Germany….” I buried my face in my hands as I muttered “there is no way I’m getting this” before jumping out my chair when my name was called, stumbling past my classmates and generally acting like an idiot as I progressed towards the podium where I received a little German flag.

FOREIGN SERVICE EXAME ADVICE FOR COL

Foreign Service exam advice for students: where to start, what to know, and what to expect.

12 WAYS TO WORK AT THE US EMBASSY

Jobs at the US embassy are not just reserved for diplomats (I mean FSO Generalists) – the majority of American employees in embassies are actually something else. So what types of hires are they? And how do you get a job like that?

HOW TO BECOME A DIPLOMAT

LIFE AS A DIPLOMAT& WORLD CITIZEN

Casablanca reconnaissance

I did not want to spend the night in Casablanca. I missed my flight to Banjul by almost an hour so I knew I would have to wait for 24 hours, but there was no way I was going to turn this extended layover into a sightseeing trip. I just wasn’t in the mood. It was 2AM, after all. But once I finally figured out how to get a new boarding pass and a hotel voucher, alongside a dozen other tired and confused travelers en route to Banjul, Dakar, Niamey and Dakhla (a surfer’s paradise

14 minutes ago4 min read

TCS Amsterdam: sub-4 hour marathon

Today I ran my fourth full marathon, in Amsterdam. After completing Dutch marathons in Leiden (2015) and Rotterdam (2024) this one felt the closest to home because I lived in Amsterdam for three years as a student. Planning & preparation This being my fourth marathon, I knew what to do to accomplish the primary goal of making it across the finish in one piece. I followed about 80% of a generic 16-week marathon training plan. I practiced drinking water and eating carbs (gels)

Oct 207 min read

Gambia: 1st birding expedition

I never thought I’d enjoy “birding.” I have a friend who told me how much she enjoys it, but this friend also loves doing calligraphy and...

Oct 113 min read

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Welcome to What Diplomats do!

Welcome to my site! Like the title says, this website is for everyone who wonders what diplomats do.

Just remember that everything on here is just my personal perspective, not the Department of State's perspective, and certainly not the absolute truth.