Would you work in USA's embassies and consulates?

Question

In a small sentence, the State Department in Washington. I remember back in the seventies meetiong a few folks who quite "arrogantly" bragged to me that they will be working in some foreign department representing USA. Nothing against them, but with the international situation going around, I rather be a door to door salesman. Feedback, please.

Answer 1

I recently returned from a 3 week trip to China with an Academic group studying International Relations and Diplomacy.  While I was there I actually went to the US Embassy in Beijing and met three Foreign Service Officers (one economic, one cultural, and one public affairs).  I also met the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as a Foreign Service Officer working at the Consulate in Shanghai.

When you test/interview and are accepted, you spend your first year learning the language of the region you will be working; then you are assigned your first duty station.  You may have to move every 3-5 years, and there are hardship assignments which can include Iraq or Tibet, for example which are required.  Also, until you have a lot of seniority, you will likely not get assigned in a cushy place!  That is the kind of crappy part.

However, if you enjoy learning other cultures/languages and traveling/living abroad, it would be AMAZING--it is what I am ultimately hoping to do.  Especially in underdeveloped countries, you can live like royalty and completely expand your mind and world view!

But, I would discourage anyone from testing who has a difficult time adapting/immersing in other cultures.

**Update** I understand what you mean, that's why I mentioned the "mandatory hardship" assignments to places like Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan.  What American Citizen would want to work in a country where Americans may be hated/unwelcome! When we were at the embassy, the PAO told us a story about how a number of years back a US Helicopter crashed into a Chinese village and both US and Chinese were killed.  The way the PRC reported it on the news was that it was a hostile mission, and the US attacked this village (or something like that).  They threw bricks through the windows of the embassy and cars, and the trees/plants on the outside of the gate were set on fire.  The FSO's had to be removed until the gov't cleared it up w/its citizens.  That is definitely a bad aspect, but if the US does something unfavorable, it will be the embassies and consulates that are attacked. I'm sure that's why they are gated and have guards!

Answer 2

lol,

Answer 3

Yes, and I already do.

Well, you're basing your question on people you met 30-35 years ago, who were "arrogantly" bragging that they might someday work for the State Department.  Hardly a basis to make a judgement!

And then you ask your real question, which is unrelated to the first part, and which is quite reasonable -- with anti-American sentiment in some countries, would you want to represent the U.S. Government overseas?

I guess as someone who does, I'd have to answer that I judge it a reasonable risk, balancing (usually quite irrational) hatred of USG policy versus the Embassy's and the host government's ability/willingness to protect me.  Opposition shouldn't elicit withdrawal, it should elicit a stronger willingness to confront it and get one's point of view out there.