The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2015

80 JULY-AUGUST 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Where Am I From? BY SELENA EVERITT 20 1 5 AFSA MER I T AWARDS— BEST ESSAY WI NNER “Where do you live?” “I live in India.” “No, where are you from? I mean, where were you born?” “I was born in Abu Dhabi.” The reaction is confused looks and more questions. “Where are you from then?” That is a complicated question. Being a Foreign Service child has allowed me to grow up around the world and has offered me many different perspectives. While in Romania, I was quite disturbed by the fact that my mother and I were the only women wearing tops at the waterpark. This was a huge culture shock to 7-year- old me. Having to change slippers depending upon which room of the house I was in required a cultural under- standing on my part. Romania taught me acceptance of different cultural norms. Indonesia has this great atmosphere; easygoing and calm. Jakarta was highly polluted and congested; yet it still had a lively feeling. If things went wrong, there was a solution, no need to stress. At times this was wonderful, at others it was frustrating. I would be trying to get home, beat the traffic and start my homework before swim prac- tice, and all the buses would be late. Neither the drivers nor the school saw this as an issue, just a typical occurrence. I had to learn to let go of what I could not control and come to terms with the “rubber time” attitude. Indonesia taught me patience. The majority of Jordan’s population is Muslim; because of this, Jordan is very conservative. It was hard for me to adjust. I had to cover my legs and shoulders and stomach. Walking around alone was not allowed. Talking about politics or negatively of the king was forbidden. Losing some of my indepen- dence was a struggle. I had to learn to respect the culture even when I did not agree with it. Once I got past this, I could appreciate Jordan. The history and culture are rich, the architecture is amazing, and the food, oh the food, is to die for. After swim practice I would buy shawarma for three dollars on the side of the street. Jordan taught me respect. India is the most unique place I have lived. There are wild monkeys that destroy our garden once a week. I have been stuck in traffic behind an elephant and next to a cow. I have seen people using the sidewalk as a bathroom. This is all unheard of in the States, but here it’s daily life. The poverty is heart-wrenching. India’s wealth comes from its culture. Despite the poverty many live in, they are very resilient. India has an incred- ible atmosphere because its people strive to make things work. It is humbling to see. India taught me humility. This lifestyle gave me the As in years past, AFSA is collaborating with the Thursday Luncheon Group to support a minority college student during a 10-week intern- ship at the Department of State. Established in 1992, this program has since brought 25 students toWashington, D.C., for the summer for an enriching professional experience. Candace Johnson, this year’s TLG intern, is a gradu- ate student at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. She is studying public diplomacy as a dual mas- ter’s degree student at both the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She has a strong interest in public diplomacy, and hopes to join the Department of State one day. Candace earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and English from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Similarly, this summer marks AFSA’s second year of collaboration with the Hispanic Employees Council of the Foreign Affairs Agencies, which is modeled on the TLG program. This endeavor supports a deserving Hispanic- American college student during an internship at the State Department. AFSA greatly appreciates its strong relationship with both HECFAA and TLG. Special thanks go to their leaders, Francisco Palmieri and Stacy Williams, as well as the very supportive staff in the Bureau of Human Resources’ Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment. We look forward to providing similar opportunities for many more students in the future. n —Ásgeir Sigfússon, Director of New Media AFSA SPONSORS STATE INTERNS opportunity to develop as a global person. Each place has contributed to who I am. I could not give up a place with- out giving up a part of myself. So, where am I from? I guess I’m from everywhere. n