EU/BRUSSELS SERIES: Foreign service with the U.S. Embassy in Brussels

When you tell someone you are interested in foreign service as a career choice, the best reaction possible is a blank stare. Most of the time, the statement is met with a taken-back look or squinted eyes and a frown followed by a “What is that?” remark.

A foreign service position in a U.S. Embassy means you will “represent the United States overseas, advancing relationships around the world,” according to Deputy Chief of Mission Wayne Bush of the Embassy of the Unites States in Brussels, Belgium.

The job offers a wide-open opportunity to those who qualify, but getting in requires seriously high-test scores and a competitive nature. But according to those serving in the U.S. Embassy in Belgium, the sacrifice is worth it.

Working in a U.S. Embassy is a real chance to enhance the perceptions of the United States around the world. Did I mention you get to be stationed around the globe? That’s an opportunity most jobs can’t offer.


The role of the U.S. Embassy in Belgium

The U.S. Embassy in Belgium has five core functions: political reporting and advocacy, economic policy, protecting the rights of U.S. citizens, administrative aspects and public diplomacy.

Its mission “is to advance the interests of the United States, and to serve and protect U.S. citizens in Belgium,” according to the Embassy’s Web site.

All U.S. Department entities are represented at the Embassy and the role of the ambassador at the Embassy is to represent the president of the United States.

According to the Embassy’s Web site, Ambassador Sam Fox, Bush and the Embassy staff work “to protect and promote U.S. interests in Belgium through diplomatic relations with the Belgium government, commercial contacts with the business community, and through public diplomacy directed towards Belgians who share opinion about the United States.”


How the U.S. Embassy protects the U.S. image

One of the Embassy’s missions is to protect the image of the U.S. overseas. The mass media has a tremendous impact on the U.S., but the most important issue that has colored the image of the U.S. is the war in Iraq, the U.S. role in the Middle East, global warming and the death penalty, said Bush.

“Sometimes, we deserve the criticism we get, quite frankly,” he said. Being a team player means a lot these days.

In an Embassy position, it’s important to follow trends, articulate and understand politics. But beyond those skills, interpersonal communication plays a key role in helping others understand the actions of the U.S. and in maintaining a positive image overseas.

“People to people interaction is the best tool,” Bush said. It affords an opportunity to get away from the media messages.

Also, the way American travelers act while traveling in other countries makes a tremendous impact on the way the U.S. is perceived.

“Think of yourself as an ambassador to the U.S. when you travel abroad,” he said.


The effect of the U.S. economy

The world shares an economy, so a downturn in one market affects other global markets.

“The dropping U.S. dollar effects all (people) here,” so we have to try to explain the situation to the local nationals, reassure the local public that the value of the U.S. dollar will bounce back and counter misinformation, said Bush.

“It’s quite easy to believe the sky is falling” but the economy is resilient, he said. “We’ve weathered serious storms before and (the economy) has always come back.”


How the Embassy communicates

Belgium has three official languages and one unofficial language, which is a sensitive issue within the embassy work environment, Bush said.

The fear of Americanism exists overseas and so it is crucial to act with grace when it comes to the perceived threat of a country losing its identity to the American way of life.

“Studying languages is the most important thing to do for international communication,” he said. “It shows your interest in the culture.”

At this time, Arabic and Chinese are the two top languages sought in embassy employees.


Top traveling abroad issue

Security is one of the largest issues the Embassy deals with on a regular basis. The government has the duty to warn citizens of any threat to their security, so the Embassy sends out notices to warn travelers and citizens of dangerous countries to visit.

“This creates problems with the host country if you are warning people not to come there,” Bush said. “This must be done carefully, but it must be done.”