FSI Online Training

NOTE: Eventually I will divide my Cancer Posts and our Colombia Stuff into 2 separate things but for now... you get to hear about both here. Since hopefully the "Cancer ParTay" only overtook the "Fiesta de Colombia" for a brief moment. ;)

As part of our leaving the Country Adventure, Brett and I were required to take an online course from the Foreign Service Institute Learning Center. We were given 90 days to complete it. Life events over the last little bit haven't made doing it a priority so time was running out. We spent every morning for the last week or so doing a Module or two. So much information! Some will be really helpful, others.... way over our head! LOL But we completed it so yeah for us!!!

Here's some of the Modules we studied:
Module 1: Introduction to Working in an Embassy

Module 2: Introduction to the Department of State and Overseas Missions
Module 3: The Ambassador and the Country Team
Module 4: The Overseas Briefing Center
Module 5: Diplomatic and Consular Immunity
Module 6: The Community Liaison Office
Module 7: Working and Living in Other Cultures
Module 8: Working with Locally Employed Staff and the LE Staff Personnel System
Module 9: The Regional Security Office
Module 10: Crisis Management and Emergency Action Planning
Module 11: Consular Operations at Post
Module 12: The Management Section
Module 13: ICASS–Joint Administrative Operations at Post
Module 14: Protocol in the Foreign Service Community

Part of the training referred us to the Overseas Briefing Center from the U.S. Department of State website. It has information on all sorts of things.  "At the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC), we help U.S. Government employees and their family members prepare for an overseas assignment or a return home. "
One of my favorite things they have on there is a section called Success Overseas. It includes a list of helpful hints on adapting to a new place. But I think it applies to every situation in life. I love it! Go State Department! LOL:

• Accept that your new life is different than your old life. Expectations and comparisons are major sources of suffering.
• Find a way to feel more in charge of what's happening to you. What decisions could you make? "Plans are totally useless, but planning is absolutely essential." (Winston Churchill)
• Make a commitment to learn and grow. This goal cannot be hindered by circumstances or other people.
• Keep an open mind and be flexible (things are"different," not "bad").
• Establish a routine or do what you can to gain a sense of stability and control. Find a balance between exploring and withdrawing.
• Re-establish a support network. Don't allow yourself to become isolated. Include local people in your network as well as friends from your home country.
• Make time for internal activities, such as writing in a journal, listening to music, or walking.
• Follow the old adage, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Take time to settle in, and do one thing at a time. There will be plenty to do tomorrow!
• Get out there! Find ways to enjoy using your skills and developing new ones.

Don't you love that? We are still way excited for the possibility of having a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in a different country for a while. We keep praying that as long as we keep doing our part (trainings, physicals, practicing Spanish, getting our home ready to sell, etc) that God will lead us to where we should be. That's how all of life really is anyways, right? Then is He chooses to lead us to Colombia, we hope to follow the State Department & President Monson's advice and ENJOY our new Journey!
"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."

From the training, I also found helpful info at the Center for Disease Control:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/colombia.htm
And one of the possible perks of this experience would be the allowances. Not sure what it means for us but we are hoping to be smart and save a lot for a home when we return. Kind of fun! http://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location_action.asp?MenuHide=1&;CountryCode=1047