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Meet Our People

Laura

Economic Officer "I love that I am able to learn languages and live in other countries. I also enjoy interactions I have daily with the public." Where are you from? Chicago Heights, Illinois What is your current assignment? Political Officer in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire Where were your previous assignments? My first assignment was in New Delhi, India What languages do you speak? French, Hindi, Spanish

What attracted you to the Foreign Service?
Since I was a child, I have always been interested in international affairs and wanted to live and work in foreign countries. I joined the Foreign Service because I sought the excitement of being involved in foreign policy and being able to directly affect how foreigners view the U.S.

What is the most rewarding part of your Foreign Service career?
I love that I am able to learn languages and live in other countries. I also enjoy the interactions I have daily with the public. I have the opportunity to meet different people from educators and government officials to farmers and lawyers.

Who are your role models and why?
Nelson Mandela because he personifies peace, justice, decency and love for humanity.

Javier

Management "The most rewarding part of my career is helping other U.S. Government agencies achieve their mission in the host country." Where are you from? El Paso, Texas What is your current assignment? Cotonou, Benin (West Africa) Where were your previous assignments? With the U.S. Department of State, I have worked in Thailand, India, and Dubai. Previously, while working in the corporate world I have worked in Italy, Spain, Mexico City and New York City. What languages do you speak? Spanish

What attracted you to the Foreign Service?
I wanted to reach out to the world and expose my family to other cultures.

What is the most rewarding part of your Foreign Service career?
Assisting other U.S. agencies achieve their mission in the host country.

What do you enjoy most about your role in the Foreign Service that you could not experience with any other job?
Reaching out to the world doesn't get more global than my job. I joined the Foreign Service during the Diplomatic Readiness Initiative by former Secretary Colin Powell. I was trained and sent to do Personnel Management in the Middle East; now I am serving as Regional Financial Management Officer, supporting those in the front lines of Transformational Diplomacy in West Africa.

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