i’ve got class
In addition to being the place where FSOs go for their training, the Foreign Service Institute also offers a number of classes that EFMs are eligible to take. Here’s my review. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: May 2010
if you read only one onion article, pick this one
Check out this hilarious satirical article in the Onion, “Report: Majority of government doesn’t trust citizens either.” Continue reading
overdue photos
Swearing In: Flag Day:
grr
We’re thrilled to be going to Cotonou, but we can’t help but think about what could have been. Continue reading
scenes from the pentagon
Notes from a day at the Pentagon. Continue reading
Posted in FSI, Other USG Agencies, Public Diplomacy
Tagged cotonou, defense, DOD, hot dog, pentagon
1 Comment
to fly or not to fly?
You probably read today about the Afriqiyah flight crashing in Libya. Really sad stuff. Afriqiyah also happens to operate about 25% of the flights coming in and out of Cotonou. It seems like these smaller, regional airlines suffer a disproportionate … Continue reading
Posted in Benin, FS Life, Transportation
Tagged afriqiyah, airlines, Benin, cotonou, flight, libya
3 Comments
the medium is the message
On Monday I started a four-week tradecraft course focused on the information and media aspect of my job. One thing we’ve discussed so far is the importance of understanding the unique histories, personalities and agendas of the various foreign media … Continue reading
Posted in Benin, FSI, Public Diplomacy
Tagged Benin, cell phone, information officer, media, newspapers, pdo, radio
4 Comments
first post
On Flag Day we found out that our first official post abroad is going to be in Cotonou. But the real truth is, since we’re going to have spent 11 months in Arlington by the time we leave, it kind of feels like this is our first post. Continue reading
training, training and more training
As Andy mentioned in his last post, we’re scheduled to stick around Arlington until March of 2011. There are a few others in my A-100 class who will be in training that long, but they’re all studying super hard languages … Continue reading
hurry up and wait
Read on to find out what happens when you get the post you want, but learn you’re not leaving for almost a year. Continue reading