With the lifting of the lockdown in France on May 11, the new normal became more obvious. Although this term had been commonly mentioned for weeks since the lockdown started, emerging from the safety of one’s home made it tangible. Some “abnormal” events happened in many countries in the world, giving analysts materials to ponder,…
Category: FSO Life
Conversations with Diplomats
During the ASEAN Regional Forum in April 2016, I had the chance to meet and have conversations with diplomats from Russia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, and the United States. I’d like to share with you some (of the many) fascinating things I learned: 1. I asked the diplomat from Russia (who had been staying in the…
A Pocketful of Countries’ Memories
Having been to several countries because of my work, and some personal trips, I realized that, oftentimes, it’s not the grand things that you remember. It’s not the lavish meals, the important meetings, the sense of accomplishment after finishing outputs, and the sense of pride in meeting notable personalities. Rather, it’s those little things that…
Some Tips for Passing the Foreign Service Officer Exam (FSOE)
So, you want to have a challenging career? To travel around the world? To meet and work with people from different countries? To be part of the country’s endeavors in the international community? Well, to be a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) could be one of your great career options! How do you become one? The…
Becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO)
It was in December 2013 during the Christmas holidays, when I first learned about the Foreign Service Officer Examination (FSOE). My Ate (older sister) sent me a message with the link for the exams and she said, “You might want to consider this. Deadline of applications is until February next year.” I read her message,…
Beyond Routes 