Q. Where is the Gambia??
A. The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa, located on the western side and surrounded by Senegal. Its often called "Africa's Smiling Coast" because if its shape. I'll be in the capital city of Banjul.
A. The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa, located on the western side and surrounded by Senegal. Its often called "Africa's Smiling Coast" because if its shape. I'll be in the capital city of Banjul.
Q. Why are you going to Gambia?
I am going as part of an internship trough the U.S. Department of State. It will be an amazing experience for my to put on my resume, a chance for me to learn a bit more about the career I want to go into, and hopefully allow me to make some networking connections. Plus, I'm going to be on a beach in 75 degree weather during the worst part of winter. Why wouldn't I want to go to Gambia?
Q. Africa? West Africa? Isn't that dangerous?!?
Yes, and no. I have looked at the risks and decided that the experience will be worth it. If you're worried about me getting Ebola, please relax. While Gambia is near the outbreak, it has been Ebola-free the entire time and the government has been doing a good job of keeping it that way. I am more worried about getting Malaria or Tuberculosis, and I have taken precautions against all of those not-so-fun diseases. Like many places, Gambia has crime, but most of it is theft and I'll be sure to watch my belongings just like I did while traveling Europe. Plus, I will be spending most of my time working in the Embassy.
Q. Oh yeah, the embassy? What will you be doing there?
A. Well to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. It sounds like I will get the chance to do many of the normal responsibilities of a Foreign Service Officer, though, so hopefully I'll be able to do a bit more than most interns, and way more than just getting coffee or copying documents. I'm very excited and I promise to let you know more as I find out.
Q. How long will you be over there?
A. I'll be there for about 3 months. Its 9 weeks and 4 days to be exact. I'll leave the second week of January and be back in the middle of March.
Q. What is the weather like in the Gambia?
A. Its actually very nice and I'm super excited to spend the worst part of winter near a beach in 85 degree weather. You can always check out the weather forecast if you don't believe me.
Q. How do your parents feel about this?
A. Well they are my parents and they love me very much so of course they are a little scared and will worry about me the entire time I am over there. But they are also very support of me and realize how much this trip means for me and my career. I will have the opportunity to try out my chosen career without the 20 year commitment and my parents see the value in that. I'm sure they'll be happy when I'm back home, though.
Q. Where can I find more information about the Gambia.
A. For an general picture I'd recommend looking at the CIA's entry on Gambia in the World Factbook. The State Department also has an entry on The Gambia.
I am going as part of an internship trough the U.S. Department of State. It will be an amazing experience for my to put on my resume, a chance for me to learn a bit more about the career I want to go into, and hopefully allow me to make some networking connections. Plus, I'm going to be on a beach in 75 degree weather during the worst part of winter. Why wouldn't I want to go to Gambia?
Q. Africa? West Africa? Isn't that dangerous?!?
Yes, and no. I have looked at the risks and decided that the experience will be worth it. If you're worried about me getting Ebola, please relax. While Gambia is near the outbreak, it has been Ebola-free the entire time and the government has been doing a good job of keeping it that way. I am more worried about getting Malaria or Tuberculosis, and I have taken precautions against all of those not-so-fun diseases. Like many places, Gambia has crime, but most of it is theft and I'll be sure to watch my belongings just like I did while traveling Europe. Plus, I will be spending most of my time working in the Embassy.
Q. Oh yeah, the embassy? What will you be doing there?
A. Well to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. It sounds like I will get the chance to do many of the normal responsibilities of a Foreign Service Officer, though, so hopefully I'll be able to do a bit more than most interns, and way more than just getting coffee or copying documents. I'm very excited and I promise to let you know more as I find out.
Q. How long will you be over there?
A. I'll be there for about 3 months. Its 9 weeks and 4 days to be exact. I'll leave the second week of January and be back in the middle of March.
Q. What is the weather like in the Gambia?
A. Its actually very nice and I'm super excited to spend the worst part of winter near a beach in 85 degree weather. You can always check out the weather forecast if you don't believe me.
Q. How do your parents feel about this?
A. Well they are my parents and they love me very much so of course they are a little scared and will worry about me the entire time I am over there. But they are also very support of me and realize how much this trip means for me and my career. I will have the opportunity to try out my chosen career without the 20 year commitment and my parents see the value in that. I'm sure they'll be happy when I'm back home, though.
Q. Where can I find more information about the Gambia.
A. For an general picture I'd recommend looking at the CIA's entry on Gambia in the World Factbook. The State Department also has an entry on The Gambia.