Foreign Service Guy

Two reps from the State Dept. visited some of us in Cotonou last week and we were able to pick their brains (for a short time) about the FSOT (Foreign Service Exam). It is being offered in Benin for the first time and I think I will take it. Apparently it does not count against you later in the selection process if you don't pass it the first time you take it OR if you do pass but you fail to follow up for later rounds of assessment (oral interviews in Washington). PC won't pay for the round trip but I think I'd like to take it just to see what it looks like. Being in Benin for 2 years really drops your current events IQ to basement levels. Also, I prob will have to go to grad school before seriously pursuing a state dept job since over 80% of the people who do end up selected have post grad degrees...it is the new college degree. Getting the amazing opportunity to breakfast with the Ambassador and Assistant Secritary of State before going off to Mali for vacation. Can't go north of Mopti due to Islamic beheadings so Timbuktu is out...lame. I wanted to see the dunes of the Sahara. Anti-HIV meds are also still lame.