Month: May 2015

  Through advocacy within the State Department and Congress, we established the Global Community Liaison Office, supported the establishment of the Overseas Briefing Center (now known as the The Transition Center), Around the World in a Lifetime (AWAL), and the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, among other organizations. In the Department of State staff a housing referral office, operate a bookstore, and host periodic speakers at programs in the diplomatic reception rooms of the State Department. AAFSW was the original source of many of the publications now commonly updated and in the tool kits of mobile families.With our unique ability to lobby Congress on behalf of family members, we succeeded in gaining groundbreaking pension… Read More

again offer books and treasures from all over the world. Our donors from the Foreign Service community have lived everywhere, and customers come to this sale knowing that they can find truly unique international items. This sale has raised $55,000 to $100,000 annually. Over the years that has added up to more than a million dollars. AAFSW uses Art & BookFair funds to finance scholarships and many other activities in support of the Foreign Service community, from our website to informational programs and events of all types. Some of the proceeds, as well as in-kind donations, are given to DC-area community organizations. Just as the family members of the Foreign… Read More

BookRoom, which sells used books of all kinds, is located in “Foggy Bottom Mall” in the basement of the State Department’s HST Building. It’s open November through September (closed during AAFSW’s Art & BookFair each October) during weekday lunchtime hours: 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. Drop in to get some bargain reading material, and support AAFSW at the same time!

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, far from home, relatives, and friends, in unfamiliar and sometimes unfriendly countries. The Realities series (Volumes 1 and 2) 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 Schooling and housing abroad Dealing with depression Employment… Read More