Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide

Foreign-Born Spouses

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An Active Year for the FBS Group

The AAFSW Foreign-Born Spouses (FBS) group was very active this year. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the group was able to adapt both in-person and virtual events to keep all members connected.

In the last quarter of the year, the Foreign-Born Spouses Challenges and Success Stories series had two amazing EFMs, Alix Lee Bryant from American History Abroad and Eva Trembacz Souza, a writer. We have wonderful conversations and great participation with members from around the globe.

We have hosted virtual coffees for new members via Zoom and finally, we were able to meet in person for a few events: happy hours, Hispanic Heritage Month, a visit to Alexandria, and soon we will be having our holiday celebration.

We hope to continue to meet either virtual or in-person next year. Some people refer to us as the CLO of the DMV. All these events were possible thanks to the participation of our members near and far.

 

Upcoming Events:

December 20th AAFSW Foreign-Born Spouses Ornament exchange

January 13th Muse paint Bar- Paint and wine night.

Last Friday of each month is a virtual coffee!

 

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FBS Outing to the Carlyle

The AAFSW Foreign-born spouses group organized the first in-person tour after the pandemic. 

Special thanks to all 16 EFMs that participated in visiting the Carlyle, a historic mansion in Old town Alexandria. During the outing, we learned about the Carlyle family and their traditions. Followed we took the city trolley that took us to Via Volcan shop an EFM family-owned business where we tasted her own family farm coffee. Finally, we enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant.

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Fun with AAFSW’s Foreign-Born Spouses Group

Despite the current pandemic situation, the Foreign-Born Spouses group continues to be very active and has adapted to new challenges by meeting on Zoom in order to be close to members and future members around the globe.

For example, we were able to celebrate via Zoom Hispanic Heritage month last October, the Lunar New Year, we hosted a Taichi class, presented an EFM employment panel, and more.

Stay tuned for future events!

We are now hosting meet and greet sessions the first week of each month, either a coffee morning or an evening cocktail hour via Zoom.

By meeting using Zoom, we’ve been able to have participants join
us from stateside as well as from overseas.

You’re welcome to join us at any time! Please email fbspouses@aafsw.org or find us on the AAFSW FBS Facebook group.



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AAFSW’s 2019 Halloween Party

AAFSW’s Annual Fun Halloween Party
Saturday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m.
At a member’s residence
Falls Church, VA

AAFSW cordially invites you and your spouse (or friend), to a fun and festive Halloween party. Get your costumes ready!

Costumes are optional, but we will have prizes for the best, the most original, and the most colorful outfits!

Please be prepared to make a short presentation about the meaning of your costume.

RSVP by Thursday, October 24 to office@aafsw.org to get the address. Please bring a dish to share and let us know what you plan to bring.

We look forward to seeing you!

Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair

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A Fun and Colorful AAFSW Halloween Party

Every year, AAFSW has a Halloween Party at one of our members’ residences. AAFSW members, guests, and friends bring dishes to share and all the food and desserts are always delicious and plentiful.

Some individuals choose to dress up in an original homemade costume or bring to life a unique character from history. This time, we had so many great Halloween outfits that it was difficult to select the best! The guests and the hosts paraded around showing off their extraordinary costumes and let us know the story behind them.

After a great deal of deliberation, we all chose the winner for the most original costume, the winner for the most beautiful costume, and the best couple winners. Some of the winners included the costumes of a Hershey’s kiss worn by AAFSW President Dr. Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, of Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots worn by Troella Tyznik, of Robin Hood and Will Scarlet (using costumes made for their kids many years ago), and of a pair of chic lady Vampires with intricate face makeup.

It was an extremely fun and enjoyable Halloween party! Everyone was thankful to AAFSW’s Second Vice President Anna Bysfield and her husband for hosting the 2018 AAFSW Halloween Party in their gorgeous and welcoming home! The warm seasonal apple cider and the delectable food and desserts were simply delicious!

All of us at AAFSW are so lucky to enjoy the best and greatest events! They fill us with so many treasured memories of happy, unforgettable times for many years to come.

Troella Tyznik
AAFSW Assistant Treasurer