My Foreign Service Life

<p><b>I've spent most of my career—that's 35 years—living and working overseas for the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service.  My coworkers and myself were responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy and helping U.S. citizens abroad.  With this podcast, I'm starting at the beginning - or really slightly before the beginning—to walk through what it was like being 27, with a small child, moving overseas to Africa for the first time. Join my son and I as in each episode, I read my story and we talk through the challenges overcome and the joys discovered in My Foreign Service Life.</b></p>

S3E6 Cameroon

In this episode Christine talks about life in Cameroon, traveling with toddlers, secret societies of Ambassador's secretaries, and saying grace as white man.

09-28
34:55

S3E6 DC: The End of an Era

In this episode Christine contemplates her next move after DC. Should she go back to Africa with an uncertain working environment, or try some place else? Childcare, spouse jobs, and familiarity all go into the decision.

09-15
24:05

S3E5 DC: Janneke

Christine talks about getting an au pair in the US and Matt discusses his super normal plans for a commune.

09-02
15:38

S3E4 DC: Kudos and International Press

Christine talks about the negotiations with Namibia, Angola, South Africa, and Cuba for the Tripartite Accords in 1988, and awards in the Foreign Service.

08-25
22:45

S3E3 DC: Treaty Negotiations in Angola and Namibia

Christine talks about working in the Office of Southern African Affairs including treaty negotiations, typing up letters of sanction, straphangers, and leaving your only daughter's christening.

08-18
23:09

S3E2 DC: AF-S and the Birth of Emily

In this episode, Christine talks about joining the Bureau of African Affairs in DC and having her third (and best?) child.

08-12
16:42

S3E1 DC: Back to Washington DC

Christine talks about working from Main State, finding childcare, the expense of being in the DMV and teases a future episode.

08-04
21:47

S2E12 Senegal: King Matthew's Triumphant Return

In this episode, Christine talks about transporting a fresh baby internationally. She discusses nursing, two hour lunches, domestic help, and Matthew's first trip to Africa. This is the end of Season 2! But Season 3 will start 8/4/25.

07-07
19:01

S2E10 Senegal: Baby Med-Evac

In this episode, Christine discusses what it's like having a baby at post and med-evac rules past and present. She's joined by both her sons to talk about spousal employment at post and what it's like to be at a new school for 3 months.

06-23
27:16

S2E9 Senegal: Murder at WAIST

In this episode Christine experiences a tragedy even while enjoying a beloved West African Expat tradition.

06-17
22:42

S2E7 Senegal: Pregnant at Post

Christine talks about the hardship of fertility treatments, being pregnant at post, the speed at which gossip travels, and holidays overseas.

03-31
17:21

S2E6 Senegal: Dakar Vignettes

Christine and her two guest sons talk about everything that happened in Dakar including, poorly thought through pranks, the downfall of a former wrestler, the different forms of security clearances, and love in the Foreign Service

03-25
26:49

S2E5 Senegal: Dancing in Dakar

Christine is joined by both of her guest-sons in this episode to talk about their new post: Dakar, Senegal. They talk about security in a foreign country, the cat distribution system, and topless beaches.

03-17
24:46

S2E4 - Home Leave 1984

Christine talks about the difficulties of leaving family behind as well as mandatory home leave.

03-10
09:57

S2E3 - Bidding on Posts

Christine talks about how bidding works and the ins and outs of choosing a post.

03-03
30:21

S2E2 Zaire: Final Zaire Stories

Lots to cover here: confrontations with gendarmes, avoiding bribes, and economic collapse that leads to suitcases of money at dinner, secret codes over classified radio

02-24
31:40

S2E1 Zaire: R and R and Other Tidbits

In this episode Christine talks R & R, which is neither restful or relaxing, home leave and crying in super markets.

02-17
24:44

Season 2 Incoming!

Season 2 will be out Feb 17th! Watch the feed for more life in the Foreign Service.

02-13
00:36

S1E12 Zaire: Ex-Pat Life in Kinshasa

In this episode Christine talks about the party life of Kinshasa along with kids school, pets, and R&R. This is the final episode of season 1--watch this space for season 2

12-11
21:22

S1E11 Zaire: Mountains of the Moon

Christine and Derald attempt to climb the Rwenzori Mountains with some friends and encounter small prop planes, malaria, altitude-induced euphoria, and the would-be final resting place of one Californian.

12-02
25:48

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