***Lizg1799***

noryang

Got this message...

Noryang...my DH is so super jealous of you and your husband. He is an attorney but his dream job is to be a FSO. He has passed the test twice but never made it past the essay round. I secretly breathe a sigh of relief every year he doesn't go onto the next round because I don't know how I could deal with the travel. But I would love for Elliott to be exposed to what Eowyn will be exposed to. What a great gift to give your child!

...and wanted to take the time to respond.

First - THANK YOU! for your kind words about her name (which I apparently deleted when I cut and pasted this message).

Second - the Foreign Service lifestyle is amazing. But not without some serious hardships. No doubt you all will be stuck reading about my trials and tribulations in Tajikistan in the following months. The life isn't for everyone. I NEVER thought that I was "the type". I grew up in a bigotted, close minded family that didn't leave the state of New Jersey. I didn't think that I would ever travel nevermind live overseas. Don't assume that you couldn't deal with it. BUT if you really don't want it - I seriously recommend having that conversation with your husband before he tests again. I hope I am not overstepping my bounds or getting too personal to say that to you. It is just that I have seen plenty of couples in which both weren't totally into the life and...well...it isn't pretty after a while.

Third - it is a major PITA to get a generalist spot. I could go into detail if you want at another time about the process but IMO it isn't worth it. And most of the first tour officers that I know are arrogant brats. Both H and I are specialists in the service. While our fields are also very competitive and involve significant tests, etc. chances of gaining a spot are higher because the hiring pool is smaller. This might be something to look into if you are both really interested in serving in the FS.

Anyway - I am always here to answer any questions about the hiring process or the lifestyle - whatever. Just holler.

Lizg1799

Thanks so much for responding to me also.  

I completely understand what you are saying about the lifestyle.  While the job seems like something that is far fetched, when it comes down to it...I would definitely do it if he had the opportunity.  I think it's the leap into the lifestyle that is scarier than actually living it.  My DH is the ultimate dreamer and achiever and I love that about him.  I, on the other hand, have had the same job since graduating college and am hardly a risk taker...although, I would secretly love to be more of one.  In the end, we are a package deal and being with him is more important than any fear of living in a foreign country.  I have expressed my hesitation to him and he would stop testing if I were adamantly against it.  I'm really not...just pessimistic, I guess.   

I will definitely pass the information along to him about being a generalist.  I cannot wait to read more about your life in Tajikistan.      

Thank you again.   

 

noryang

Oh that is so cool that you are on board! The opportunities totally out weigh the hardships 90% of the time. And it is so cool to have great stories to share and amazing "artifacts" in your home. Right now we have tons of carpet, sculpture and artwork from Nepal, Tibet and India (mixed in with our stuff from Target and Ikea).

The State Dept works pretty hard to provide opportunities to work overseas. It is sometimes a bit of a round peg in square hole situation but it helps a lot.

If your DH is interested in any other positions other than a generalist - he should look into a specialist program. My husband works for Diplomatic Security and I am an OMS (although I won't be employed as such this tour). But there are lots of opportunities. Specialists can "mustang" in to a generalist career after a while too. Just sayin'.