On May 24, 1924, the Rogers Act established a professional United States Foreign Service—a distinct group of nonpartisan public servants dedicated to advancing America’s interests and values abroad. Today, the Foreign Service has expanded into a global network of 16,000 professionals from every state in the nation, serving as America’s eyes and ears on the…
A quick update
Hope you are having a great summer. I know I have not made many updates here. Will get better about that. But if you found your way here, just know that most of the updates I do come in videos on my YouTube channel. Check those out when you have time. The Department just release…
2023!
Admittedly I have not done a good job of posting here but life is well. We are back in DC and here is a little update: If you are studying to be in the Foreign Service, check out this website! Currently reading:
Weekend in Singapore
One of the coolest places I have ever been and definitely a place we could live. The pictures don’t really do it justice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak) One more video for good measure. View this…
Thailand!!!
I am getting behind in my blogging but am doing what I can to keep posting. Ana and I went to Thailand last month and had an absolute blast. We had to fly through Bangkok on our way to and from Phuket, Thailand. Bangkok was so developed and full of life. I definitely want to…
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day 2022! This was the temple we cleaned up. We only have one Earth! We have to be more cognizant of that fact! Another blog post coming about our trip to Thailand. Stay tuned!
Hobbies in the Foreign Service
Think about what you like to do when bidding. It can have a big impact on your life in the Foreign Service. Ana and I are heading out tomorrow on our first big trip beyond the boarders of Cambodia. Awesome blog post to follow.
Wildlife experience
What a day I had on Friday with my mother in law. For over a year now I have been wanting to go to the Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Center with Wildlife Alliance. Well I finally got around to doing it! Just a great experience seeing a Tiger, 4 elephants, Asian bears,…
2022!
Haven’t posted in a while but have been up to a decent amount. First off, happy new year from Cambodia! We stayed at The One resort on Koh Rong Samloem Island. What a great little get away. Ana and I really enjoyed it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak)…
R & R
Check out the video to learn about what an R & R is and what I did during mine! 3 official videos from the Ohana Festival and then pics from my IG. Great weekend of music! Check out my IG when you have time! Thanks for stopping by. View this post on Instagram A post…
Cambodia Curfew
Haven’t written or posted anything in over a month because we have been in and out of these curfews and restrictions on alcohol and otherwise. Take a look at the streets tonight around 10pm. Ends tomorrow but could always be reimplemented at any point. Can’t do a blog post without mentioning Afghanistan. I served there…
Happy 4th of July
Had a great 4th of July weekend in Kep and Kampot. We stayed at the Veranda resort! Sunsets to die for! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob…
Cultural Affairs in Siem Reap
Just a great week in Siem Reap recently. The town is hit hard from covid as the majority of its revenue is based on tourism. Made a video talking about what I was doing there. Special thanks to World Monuments Fund Siem Reap Director Ginevra. Take a look. Stayed at Sofitel: and also the Anantara…
Foreign Affairs Day
What is Foreign Affairs Day? ‘Each year on the first Friday of May, the Department of State observes Foreign Affairs Day, the annual homecoming for our Foreign Service and Civil Service retirees. This day also commemorates the members of the Foreign Service who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives serving the United States…
Driving through March
Thought I would entitle this blog post ‘driving through March’ as I post a video about of me driving in Phnom Penh on my way to go drive some golf balls. Also because March flew by just like that! Check it out. This is pretty mild as an example. Traffic can get much crazier. So…
African American History Month
I think and feel it important that we celebrate the contributions of African Americans in both American Diplomacy and life itself. The thing about the Foreign Service and serving in the US military overseas is that the average American knows very little about it. Beyond that, rarely do Americans get to see and hear from…
Koh Rong Island, Cambodia
We got away for our one year anniversary. What a first year. Lots of ups and down but would not have it any other way. Koh Rong Island is in the Bay of Thailand off the coast of Cambodia. Really an amazing little place. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak…
What a start to the new year!
Put Angkor Wat on your bucket list right now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Joswiak (@robjoswiak) Ana and I started the year off by going to Siem Reap with our friend, Jaleesa. The city is awesome but the National Park is just other worldly. View this post on Instagram A…
Happy Holidays from Phnom Penh
I am starting to get out and meet people and see places. My tour of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) was VERY moving. the site is a former secondary school which was used as Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 until its fall in 1979. From 1976 to 1979, an estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned at…
Hello from Asia
I have to admit that I have never had to stay in one building, apartment or house for two straight weeks but I guess this is just another weird part of 2020. We made it to post last last Thursday night and have been in our apartment since. Our beloved Frenchie did not make it……
Stay Organized!
Passed my language test this past week and am close to going to post. Just want to share that update and the importance of staying organized! Also if you get some time, please check out the latest Planet Earth documentary on Netflix. Thank you.
Summer study
Summer rolls on and so does the studying. Language continues to take up most of my time but I do get a 3 week break because of public diplomacy training. I am still studying language for one hour in the AM and on the weekends. People often ask me what I will be doing in…
Love, dignity, and respect
Went for a run yesterday and it really felt good. First one this year as pitiful as that sounds. I will always love running on the mall and in the VA/DC area. Made a video with some of my thoughts on our current American experience. Khmer studies are going well. Very hard language to learn…
Cultural Affairs in Cambodia
First off, I want to thank everyone who reads this blog and has reached out. Means a lot to me. I wish I had more to report but studying Khmer has been tough. I have my first evaluation this Wednesday. This weekend though, I was able to do a video for the English Access students…
Language study at FSI
Learning a new language is a grind. Realizing that now as you prepare to become an FSO will help you prepare for studying. This is the reality of my life right now. This is the reality for anyone studying a new language.
Social Menace
Been traveling around the country with my new beautiful wife (wedding post coming soon) for almost a month now. The one thing that has hit me is that social media and the 24/7 news cycle is a complete menace on our psyche and society. We are not solving our problems by consistently knowing what is…
The daily grind
We are driving cross country while on this awesome thing called home leave. To see the latest, please follow me on instagram. While having a great time, the news that seamed to stop the world, hit me as well. Kobe Bryant is gone. Each day really is a gift. I hope you seize and enjoy…
Pack Out
So we usually get two days to have our stuff packed up and moved out. It is neither a glamorous nor fun process but one very integral to the FSO way of life. I did a quick video to give you an idea of what it looks like. These were some of my finals days…
Veteran’s Day
“We want them to come home and be OK.” Gary Sinise with some powerful words about our veterans as we celebrate their service today. I must admit as both a current diplomat and veteran that I think the service of foreign service officers, peace corps members and those working in the field for USAID is…
On the road
The summer (in the US) err winter (here in South America) has had me on the road more than I could have ever imagined. I was in India most of June and a bit of July before a quick stop in London on the way back to the States for vacation. I think the last…
Always representing America
Happy Memorial Day everyone! One thing to always remember in this line of work: You are always representing America!
Antarctica!
I have been back 6 weeks now from Antarctica and just needed that much time to process the majesty of our 7th continent. Quark‘s video does as good a job as any in showing and explaining the magic of the place. But it still does not hold a candle to experiencing it for yourself. This…
Just Do it! Life is short.
I PROMISE to post a full blog soon about my recent trip to Antarctica!
Take the FSOT!
Heading out on a 2 week trip of a lifetime but wanted to post this before I leave. Look for an AMAZING post next time documenting my trip WAY down south!
2019!
I have been so busy I have not posted in almost 100 days. Did a quick video to give you an update as I will write a more thorough posting with more content soon! As always, thanks for stopping by.
Pittsburgh Proud
What was going to be a post about what a great rest and relaxation I had in my hometown of Pittsburgh, has now turned into a tribute of sorts. As many of you know, 11 people were killed in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last week. Words cannot put into reality how sad I…
Birthday blessings
Life just seams to be flying by. The time since I last posted has been AWESOME. Before I dig into all of the happenings I want to shout out to all the people in France who read this blog! Rien que de l’amour pour tous les Français et surtout pour les parisiens qui lisent ce…
Solitude
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. – Albert Einstein #reflection is important and boy has #brazil provided the places for it. #earth is too beautiful and diverse for there not to be an infinite #energy beyond the fleeting things we know as our day to day lives. #motherearth #canyons…
Happy 4th of July
So last Friday we had our 4th of July celebration at the Consulate. You can check out the local papers coverage here and here. It was nice to meet our Ambassador who has been tapped to be senior adviser to the Secretary in DC. Since it is the 4th of July I would like to announce to…
Oh Rio!
Well I just got back from Rio de Janeiro this week and WOW! Just gonna start ya off with the video of the helicopter ride! Stayed in a nice little AirBnB not far from Ipanema Beach. Got in late Thursday night and basically just slept. The first day I went to check out Copacabana Beach because of this……
Road trip!
Been meaning to write but life happens as you know. Been taking a lot of weekend trips but not this weekend so here are some pics of recent trips. Three Amigos. We essentially drove around the big lake here in the south of Rio Grande do Sol (the state I live in). Ya know just…
Better Days
Had a long weekend in Sao Paulo last weekend and WOW! I left last Thursday and took today off of work for the long 4 days Easter holiday weened. Had a killer AirBnB centrally located in the 9th largest city in the world. As I alluded to, I went to see Eddie Vedder in concert. …
What a month!
Life really does fly by sometimes. Lots to talk about in this smorgasbord of an entry. We’ll start with the personal stuff. My car is here and sitting at the consulate because I have yet to get my license plates. Any day now! All of my stuff has arrived and I would say I am…
Lima Peru!
So my friend and colleague Alex married his beautiful wife Mariella last weekend in Lima, Peru! She is originally from there so they had a traditional wedding. Honestly one of the best weddings I have ever been too. I mean dancing horses! I definitely enjoyed the open bar and amazing dance floor. Have a look!…
Estou aqui
Well I made it! Sorry for the delay in letting you know I made it safely to Brazil. The city as I flew in. Pulling up to the terminal. I went to Florianópolis for New Years weekend. HUGE Island full of 42 beaches. Alex and Mariella are a couple I hang out with. Alex is also…
The universe is smiling upon me
I have had a string of serendipitous events that I have to share. First off, the morning of pack out I awoke to my clock on the wall that had stopped dead on midnight. The battery had expired my last night in the condo. It was a sign to say as if: your time is…
Packing out
Made a video today to try and show the reality of moving and the FS life. Might do some more. Might not. A weird time right now. But I am alive and very blessed. Especially in these times we live. Lost a bunch of great Americans this week. And a legend. RIP Tom Petty Important to…
Medo e esperança
Life is but a journey best done not in a hurry but the emotions of late, a total flurry A gamble of everything known as I set my life’s tone I still feel completely prone. Brazil. Just saying it excites as an antithesis that also incites. Soon I shall go now if I could only…
Con Gen
So it seems my Portuguese could use a little more work. Unlike some of my rock star classmates, I did not get what I needed on my language test. 6 more weeks for me. Not ideal, but not the end of the world either. I am working hard to make sure I speak the language…
Portuguese test
I test next week. Not much else to say other than that’s all I been doing is studying. Need a 3/3. What does that mean? ILR Level 3 – Professional working proficiency Professional working proficiency is rated 3 on the scale. Level 3 is what is usually used to measure how many people in the…
O Consulado Americano de Porto Alegre está aberto
My post is officially up and running! Our diplomat there has done a ton of work in preparation of its opening. Really excited to get down there and start working although Portuguese language training is really tough. I have my second benchmark test tomorrow with the final test coming fast in August. This is where…
What a time to be alive
Where do I begin with this smorgasbord of a post. I think my Pittsburgh Penguins going back to back as Stanley Cup Champions is as good as any to start! Mario Lemieux jumping into Sidney Crosby’s pool fully clothed. Let the summer of Stanley Cup celebrations begin. Mario Lemieux jumping into Sidney Crosby’s pool fully…
Tchau
Tchau is how you say goodbye in Portuguese. And let me tell you it is not easy doing it with classmates who are now leaving for post. Over the past 4 months, many of us have really gotten to know each other well. Now a bunch of classmates who did not require language training, are…
Language domination and a quick Obrigado to you
Portuguese is dominating me! Everyday I am in intense training with an instructor (sometimes two) and two other students. I also am in the lab for a minimum of an hour working on bettering my grasp of the language plus at-least another hour of homework each night. Getting to proficiency in 26 weeks is no…
Swearing in, area studies, and meeting a legend
Time is flying by and I am not doing a great job of updating this blog. But in the last month I was sworn in as a Foreign Service Officer by Ambassador Tom Shannon (who was the acting Secretary of State while Sec. Tillerson was awaiting Senate confirmation), done area studies to include Brazilian studies…
Flag Day
This is the day anyone who starts this journey, waits for. An NFL draft is the only thing I can equate it to. Minus all the money of course. But before I write about the flag portion of this day, I have to say this day started out with us taking a trip to Langley,…
A-100 & New SecState
Just popping in to say that A-100 is a rewarding and intense training program for new diplomats. I suggest for those who get selected, to realize that the first 6 weeks are very busy. Many nights I am reading, studying or doing homework. But it is totally worth it. Flag day is less than a…
What a first week!
So I wanted to write a post this past Sunday, before I began my first day at the Department of State. Unfortunately, my sister called around 5 PM and said that our beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Ali, had passed away after getting into some chocolate. My sister rushed him to the veterinarian but they ultimately could…
New Secretary of State search
I got to admit I am watching intently on this new Secretary of State sweepstakes that President-elect Trump is doing. I will be proud to serve whoever he appoints, but we all have our favorites right? Otherwise things are moving along well. We have a Facebook group for our class, are starting to have happy…
Where could I go?
People ask me all the time: Where do you want to go? My pre-A 100 answer is anywhere! I am literally worldwide qualified and approaching it that way. Here is a Map of where I could go! (This is a map of worldwide U.S. Diplomatic Posts, Missions, and Department of State Facilities. To be able…
What I’ll be doing and where?!
An epic line from the cult classic and one of my personal favorites, Office Space. So my Mom is probably the only one reading this blog now, but I still think putting together a page to explain actually what I will be doing, is a good idea. Let’s start with what is the Foreign Service?…
My FSO timeline
Many people trying to become a U.S. Diplomat, often like to know how long it takes. Below is my chronological path to becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). Keep in mind that many people go through this process several times, stalling at any certain point. I consider myself fortunate to have gone completely through on…
Welcome to my blog
Welcome to my website. Special thanks goes out to Taylor Hillman for designing this site and helping me along the way. I plan to blog as I being my career as a U.S. Diplomat. Feel free to reach out or leave comments. Thanks for reading.