From Houston to Hungary: Visit to the Homeland

Last week was fall break! I think my students were as happy as me to get some time off, especially after the mid-term I gave them (apparently, it was “sooooo hard!”). So what did I spend my time off doing?

Taking a test.

Well, originally I had planned to travel this week anyway, to go to the wedding of my good friends, Caitlin and Brian. But luckily, I also managed to schedule the Foreign Service Oral Assessment for the same week. The timing was perfect, but this looming exam had been stressing me out for weeks. Thankfully, I flew into D.C. a few days early and was able to stay with a high school friend, Megan, as well as meet up with my peace corps friend, Matt, both of whom helped me stay sane. (Thanks, guys!)

There’s a limit to how much I can say about the test, as all candidates sign a confidentiality agreement, but I’ll say what I can. The test started ridiculously early in the morning – I had to be there at 6:45 a.m. UGH! After signing in, I met the other test takers while waiting. There were four other people testing with me for the Foreign Service Generalist position.

Our first task of the day was a group exercise, where we acted as a mock country team at an embassy and had to decide how to allocate limited funding among several competing projects while assessors watched and listened. It was weird being watched, but my group mates worked well together, although I worried I didn’t stand out.

The second activity was an individual writing task, in which I was given a binder full of information about an issue and had to read through it, analyze the data, and craft a well-written memo with recommendations in a limited time frame. I felt pretty good about this part, since writing has always been my strong point.

After lunch, I went in for the third part, the interview – in which two assessors asked me questions about my experience, motivation and qualities for about an hour. This is the section I was most nervous about (I don’t interview that well) and I did not feel confident about it afterward at all.

Of course, then I had a two-hour break to sit there and think about all the things I said or did wrong and all the things I forgot to mention or shouldn’t have said. It was agonizing, but everyone else was agonizing about their performance along with me, so that made it better. While we waited, the assessors deliberated about us and came to a decision about each candidate. By the end of the waiting period, I had just about convinced myself I had failed. (“I should have been more assertive in the group exercise! I should have tightened up my memo more! I should have not sucked so much in the interview!”)

After what seemed like an eternity, I was called into a room to await my verdict. Completely frazzled at that point, I was a totally surprised when the assessor congratulated me on passing! I was still stunned as she reached out to shake my hand, but once it sunk in, I broke into a huge smile and thanked her about a dozen times. The smile stayed on my face for most of the afternoon. I was even more surprised when she told me my score – it was pretty good! (And here I had convinced myself I failed!)

Afterwards, I was escorted to a room where I met up with the other test passers – three of us in total – and we were briefed on the next steps in the process. Over the next several months, I will work on medical and security clearance. Once everything is done, I will be placed on a list of eligible candidates awaiting the magical invitation to an A-100 class – training for New Foreign Service Officers. However, if I don’t get called within 18 months, my candidacy expires, and I have to start over from square one. The list is rank-ordered by score, which means I should be decently high on the list (especially because I am eligible for extra points due to foreign language competency), but with hiring numbers way down right now, it’s more competitive than ever. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

After the test, I was in the mood for a celebration – so it was really a perfect time for a wedding! After staying the night with a good family friend (who also gave me a tour of the State Department where she works – how fitting!) I flew back to Houston for the nuptials.

The wedding was wonderful – I was able to see lots of Rice friends that I hadn’t seen too long, and I was a bridesmaid for a perfect couple who I know will make each other very happy. There was delicious food to be had, a cake shaped like a dragon, and endless champagne. What a great way to finish off the trip! Congratulations, Brian and Caitlin!

I’m back in Budapest now, and things are full steam ahead! Next week, we have our big Counselor Training Academy which I am preparing (I’ll write a post about it!) and later this month, I am flying to Berlin to celebrate my Oma turning 90 years old, and then turning around and heading to London to celebrate my big brother getting married to one of my oldest friends.

Lots of great things happening! More to come soon.