Realities of Foreign Service Life

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

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Nominees Sought: SOSA, CCE-EFM, Tragen Awards

Seeking Outstanding Volunteers Abroad for SOSA’s 25th Anniversary The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) annually presents the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) to recognize the most exceptional volunteer efforts by Foreign Service employees and family members abroad. During its 25-year history, the program has honored more than 100 awardees chosen from over 130 diplomatic missions. This year it could be you or someone at your post! If you know someone who has provided immeasurable time, effort and care to improving life for others at post or in the local community, please nominate them for the 2015 SOSA Award. Nominees can be Foreign Service Officers,… Read More

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Letter From the President: Especially for CLOs

Ten Ways AAFSW Can Help You Help Your Overseas Post Community As an independent non-profit and peer-to-peer network, AAFSW has a lot to offer Community Liaison Office coordinators (CLOs) to help support and advise employees and family members at post. Here are some suggested ways to make good use of our networks and services! 1) Help get the word out that AAFSW exists. Have you heard someone say “There ought to be an independent organization for family members”? Tell them there is one—with a long history of achievement, such as advocating for the creation of the Global Community Liaison Office—and that we need their ideas and energy. 2) Make sure foreign-born… Read More

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Non-Governmental Foreign Service Support Organizations

Thanks to AAFSW member Nicole Schaefer-McDaniel for her work in putting together this handy reference. The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) Non-profit organization that brings together, supports and advocates for Foreign Service family members and employees. Tagline: “Where the Foreign Service Becomes a Community.” Publications including Realities of Foreign Service Life, Foreign Service Companion books, huge online presence (“livelines” Yahoo Group and numerous moderated Facebook groups connect members globally and answer all those “little” big questions), advocacy groups (e.g., for spousal employment), programs and networking events, scholarships, awards for volunteers abroad. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Professional association and labor union of the United States Foreign… Read More

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AAFSW - Where the Foreign Service Becomes a Community

New Facebook Group for AAFSW Members Only

We are happy to announce the launch of Global Connection, a new Facebook group for AAFSW members and their spouses/partners only. This closed, moderated group, a complement to our Livelines listserve, will be for general discussion of Foreign Service topics: questions and answers, tips and advice. If you are a current member of AAFSW, we invite you to join us! Memberships in the group will be confirmed after checking current AAFSW membership status in our membership directory. If your name on Facebook is not the same as your name in our directory, or if you are the spouse/partner of an AAFSW member, please message the group admins or email facebook@aafsw.org… Read More

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