Amman- This entry is focused on sharing information for other FAO still in their language training at DLI. I’ve been in Amman for almost two weeks and am close to finishing the embassy’s inprocessing. It’s similar to the Army’s in that your information has to be entered into several databases for tracking purposes and for expected services, but it’s not instant as some of the information has to go to the host nation for processing as well. The offices in the embassy are all busy so expect to spend a little of time waiting. This situation provides great opportunities to learn how to network professionally and socially so while there is a safety net which resembles what one would find on any Army post, you’re really going to have to get out of your comfort zone, poke your head into offices, and introduce yourself. I think it’s finally set in that even though I am a major, I’m not at the right place professionally to work like my peers in other branches are yet. This is supposed to be an educational experience to expose me to a different world so that I can do the heavy lifting next year. It’s been hard to accept because of all the time in Monterey, but now that I’m here I know time will speed up again.

My peer and I are on the same sheet of music in that use of language is a daily goal for us which means we’re trying to limit our networking at the embassy to the professional side of things. We both have great apartments located in relatively safe areas within walking distance of local (rather than Western style) shops and services, we’re resolved to use them, and we have completely stumbled our way through them. But knowing a little of the local language opens doors and the Jordanian people enjoy speaking with us. We are, however, lucky that the embassy did arrange for social sponsors who happen to be networked with lots of local people and employees from other embassies. We’ve gone out a couple times and did the happy hour thing, but we used our language as much as we could to engage with anyone who would listen. Another big part of the next year will be executing the Program of Instruction (POI) for my time here. My recommendation is to leverage Facebook, Linked in, and whatever-interests-you-Google searches to fill in the white space rather than make your way through the typical tourist agendas. For example, there’s a Film Festival similar to Cannes and Sundance happening in Qatar, I’m going. A literature awards ceremony, poetry recitals, a huge music festival in the desert, crazy marathons through the desert with full moons in addition to political and military conferences and exercises around the region. Anything and everything applies and can be very relevant to your understanding of the region, its culture, and your use of the language.