The experience of applying, interviewing, and on boarding with the State Department is a unique one, and as we now know, the confusion and sometimes frustration doesn't end once you finally become a State Dept. employee.
Back in June, when I received the initial offer letter, I was told the training was going to total 19 weeks. A few weeks later we got an email informing us that the training had been shortened to 10 weeks. That is a big difference! We figured, with only 10 weeks of training we could be shipped out as early as November. Katie decided to notify her boss that she would be leaving her job in the middle of September to focus on the things necessary to make the move overseas.
Two weeks before orientation started, I got another email reversing the last notification, making the training period 19 weeks again. This was disappointing. The lack of details and the ever-changing schedule is a bit frustrating.
We got our bid list Tuesday afternoon with the initial 20 posts listed. Tuesday morning they made some changes, which were fine because the new posts seemed much more desirable. The estimated time of arrival for the posts were listed as December of this year. So this week we have been making our plans according to what we were told. What we are learning now about the State Department is the only thing that is certain here is uncertainty.
Last night I received another list revision. Stockholm Sweden has been removed from the list and replaced with Lagos Nigeria (which was on the original list). The estimated dates of departure are now between the months of February to June of 2011. We are coming to terms with the fact that we should be patient and expect changes to occur.
We are frustrated, but we are learning to expect changes and not to rely on any decision to be final. This whole environment is new for us, but we know that we are very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to experience the new places and adventures that lie ahead of us. We are just ready to get this show on the road!!!!
