The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2022

38 JULY-AUGUST 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL diverse set of tools in your toolbox that are always handy for you and your family to use throughout the many transitions of your Foreign Service journey. The FSI Transition Center The FSI Transition Center provides training, support and resources to assist all individuals—including parents and chil- dren—in navigating the many transitions of their Foreign Service life. “Our mission is to facilitate the transitions of all members of the U.S. foreign affairs community from all agencies into effective assignments overseas and repa- triations,” says Director Ray Leki. “It doesn’t matter if our client is an ambassador going to a key post overseas or the 6-year-old son of a single parent Foreign Service member headed to a first post, or anyone in between. They all deserve our attention, our tailored consultations and resources, and our caring support.” During his 31 years with the Transition Center, Leki has seen the ups, downs and the all-arounds of Foreign Service families, including third-culture children. From the joys of expanded families through adoption, opportunities to explore some of the most far-reached corners of the world and the ability to connect with local communities through volunteer work while at post, to the challenges of evacuations, bombings, civil unrest and global pandemics—Leki and his staff have encountered innumer- able stories throughout the years. It is the real-life experiences and insights of Foreign Service professionals and their family members that continues to inform and guide TC’s resources, programs and training. Building Resilience In 2016 the Transition Center established the Center of Excel- lence in Foreign Affairs Resilience. In fact, TC has long offered customized training and resources to support Foreign Service professionals and their families. Says Eric Cipriano, an education program specialist with CEFAR: “Third-culture kids encounter a lot of change. Changes in schools and changes in their daily interactions. This results in Foreign Service kids having unique needs and common concerns. It’s important to learn from these experiences and apply them to CEFAR programming. We want to do anything we can to help kids move forward collectively.” One CEFAR course, “Encouraging Resilience in Your Foreign Service Child (MQ500), ” is designed for foreign affairs agency employees and their family members and draws from one of the most valuable resources available—foreign affairs youth and their parents. Guided by insights gained from real-life experiences over the years, the course explores factors that affect TCKs in their tran- sient lifestyles and offers parents strategies to assist in facilitating smooth transitions and parent- ing in an international, cross- cultural environment. The Transition Center’s Foreign Affairs Life Skills Train- ing team also offers more than 30 courses to help prepare and equip foreign affairs community members before going to post, during their time overseas and as they transition back to the U.S., including several aimed at supporting families and children. For instance, to assist parents in understanding some of the resources and options that are available to them in navigating a child’s education, TC offers “Ask the Education Expert: Educating Your Child Overseas (K-12)” in coordination with the Office of Overseas Schools. Another useful course is “Educating Your Foreign Service Child: The Boarding School Option.” Most recently, the center has added two new courses focused on educating a child with identified needs while posted overseas. Partnering with the Bureau of Medical Services’ Child and Family Program and the Office of Overseas Schools, TC offers “Educating Your Special Needs Child in the Foreign Affairs Community” and “Navigating the Foreign Service Lifestyle with a Child with an Autism SpectrumDiagnosis.” Transitions in life take a lot of planning, resilience and grit—and this is especially true for Foreign Service youth. Inside the “Transitions” zine dealing with moving to a new post. U.S.DEPARTMENTOFSTATE