Realities of Foreign Service Life :

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books out there on this subject
Review: I have been collecting books on the Foreign Service ever since I became interested in joining. This was the first one I read and remains one of my favorites. It gives a brief glimpse into actually working for an embassy (it has a pro/con list of being a FSO at the beginning, which is both funny and useful), but concentrates mainly on personal life outside the embassy. While those who bought the book expecting a detailed assessment on the actual job of an FSO will be disappointed, it is clear even from the book jacket that actual FSO work is not the topic of the book. The short essays in the book cover everything from traveling with pets (I didn't even know you could have pets when you travel as a FSO) to dealing with crisis. It definitely is a reality check, because it is very easy to become caught up in the process of becoming a FSO and deciding which career track you would like to pursue, while forgetting about the lifestyle you will lead outside of work. I would recommend this book to anyone, of any age, who is considering the FSO as a career, or to anyone who will be living and traveling with a FSO relative.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but not too topical
Review: I just got through this book and got some great insight into the life of an FSO. I totally agree with the other reviews on this book, it is well written but doesn't deal much with the actual work of the foreign service. There came a point where if I had to read one more story about the spouse of an FSO having to deal with stuff at home, or writing letters, etc... I felt like I was going to puke. In short, there's lots of stuff about 'family life' and getting the kids to school, etc, but not so much on what it is like to work in the Foreign Service. Lots of useful information between all of that, though.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but not too topical
Review: I just got through this book and got some great insight into the life of an FSO. I totally agree with the other reviews on this book, it is well written but doesn't deal much with the actual work of the foreign service. There came a point where if I had to read one more story about the spouse of an FSO having to deal with stuff at home, or writing letters, etc... I felt like I was going to puke. In short, there's lots of stuff about 'family life' and getting the kids to school, etc, but not so much on what it is like to work in the Foreign Service. Lots of useful information between all of that, though.

Rating:
Summary: Useful info during the FS hiring process? It CAN happen!
Review: I'm currently mired in the extensive "Hurry Up and Wait" process for the Foreign Service (I'm waiting for background check to be completed so I can wait even longer to find out if I'll actually be hired). This book helped me clear my head about the "Real" FS life and actually gave me some useful inside information, which is rare in the pre-FS waiting period.

This book describes everything from "packing-in" and "packing-out" to spouse issues, tragedies, relationship issues, and what it's actually like to live at various posts. It's written by Foreign Service Officers, their spouses, and even their children. Almost every essay is interesting and insightful. I even passed this book onto my mom, who is as much of an info-phile as I am, and my husband is getting it next.

It was wonderful to read a realistic view of the Foreign Service, both good and bad (and hey, it gave me something to do while I was waiting...). And I am just as determined to make it in as ever!

On the other hand, although this book may very well be useful to students and relatives of Foreign Service Officers, those not interested in becoming part of the FS may not find it as useful (although I'm sure most people would still find it very interesting).

Rating:
Summary: Really Disappointing
Review: If you're a female spouse of a foreign service officer, have never traveled abroad, let alone to somewhere with anything less than first world ammenities, and are used to being surrounded at all times by friends and family, then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! Of the more than 35 anectodes of foreign service life, only perhaps five were written by men. I tired of the endless complaints of insects, heat, cold, limited work opportunities for spouses, broken house items, crazy driving, corrupt infrastructure,broken infrastructure, etc., etc., etc. Having lived, travelled, and owned property abroad, most of which in the Third World, I was really hoping to see some the of the brighter sides of this adventure. Where were the great relationships with locals and their families, the adventurous forays into the bush to see local flora and fauna, the interesting challenges of learning a new culture and language, the unique perspective that one gives to one's child by growing up in a foreign land, the fun, adventure, and excitement of...Going local? While some of the stories are insightful and somewhat telling, I found it somewhat misleading. I really expected that the authors would spend more time sharing the unique perspective of foreign service life as well as the common inconveniences that we often face right her in the USA. Is the common FSO family really this petty, displaced, and inexperienced? I'd hate to think that these are truly the "Realities of Foreign Service Life."

Rating:
Summary: Reality Check
Review: If you're looking for a book that deals with the non-embassy life of Foreign Service personnel and their families, this is an excellent book for you. The book is more a series of "behind the scenes" stories submitted by different people who have connections with the FS. Some are actual FS employees. Others are spouses. One of the great things about this book is how varied the stories are. One details the experiences of shopping in different markets all over the world. Another is a Q&A session where they discuss everything from the best way to pack your belongings to how to prepare your children for a new location. One man describes the joys and difficulties of being a bachelor in the FS. Yet another explains how best to bring your pets with you when you move. And another descibes the trials of trying to find American food in different countries. And these are just a handful of some great and honest essays!

I originally bought this book thinking it would help me prepare for the Oral Exam. I thought it might deal with the innerworkings of an embassy and what the varied embassy personnel do on a daily basis. For example, how an Administrative Officer finds housing for people. If that's what you're looking for, this book is not for you. The book rarely touches on any of those topics. Instead it deals more with the personal issues.

However, I still think the book should be read by anyone and everyone who's considering a career in the FS. In the first chapter, the authors state the purpose of the book: they want everyone to know what the FS is like. If this encourages people to join them, then great. If it causes people to rethink this career and even chose something else, all the better. It's better to not work for the FS than to join it and you and your family be miserable

So, before you get too far into the process, I'd encourage this book as a "reality check". I think it would be great not only for those considering a life in the Foreign Service but also for family members and friends who want to know what their loved ones are doing or will be doing.

Rating:
Summary: Reality Check
Review: If you're looking for a book that deals with the non-embassy life of Foreign Service personnel and their families, this is an excellent book for you. The book is more a series of "behind the scenes" stories submitted by different people who have connections with the FS. Some are actual FS employees. Others are spouses. One of the great things about this book is how varied the stories are. One details the experiences of shopping in different markets all over the world. Another is a Q&A session where they discuss everything from the best way to pack your belongings to how to prepare your children for a new location. One man describes the joys and difficulties of being a bachelor in the FS. Yet another explains how best to bring your pets with you when you move. And another descibes the trials of trying to find American food in different countries. And these are just a handful of some great and honest essays!

I originally bought this book thinking it would help me prepare for the Oral Exam. I thought it might deal with the innerworkings of an embassy and what the varied embassy personnel do on a daily basis. For example, how an Administrative Officer finds housing for people. If that's what you're looking for, this book is not for you. The book rarely touches on any of those topics. Instead it deals more with the personal issues.

However, I still think the book should be read by anyone and everyone who's considering a career in the FS. In the first chapter, the authors state the purpose of the book: they want everyone to know what the FS is like. If this encourages people to join them, then great. If it causes people to rethink this career and even chose something else, all the better. It's better to not work for the FS than to join it and you and your family be miserable

So, before you get too far into the process, I'd encourage this book as a "reality check". I think it would be great not only for those considering a life in the Foreign Service but also for family members and friends who want to know what their loved ones are doing or will be doing.