<p>i have some interest in international affairs (read: reads world news, TIME and Newsweek), and i’ve thought seriously before about being a diplomat for my small country - but surely it isn’t gonna be as exciting or as impactful as being a diplomat of say US or China. It also sucks that my country has to suck up to big nations and is very pragmaticc about its foreign policy - no pushing of ideals and values, just doing what’s best for its economy. and i’m guessing that my country’s diplomats aren’t that respected. it’s Singapore, by the way.</p>
<p>Are there international students who are children of diplomats or know diplomats around here? please share what it’s like to be a diplomat! did you find it disruptive to be growing up in two or three different countries?</p>
<p>Every diplomat of every country cuts his/her teeth on this first Principle:‘Self Interest is the Best Interest’.</p>
<p>So get rid of the notion that diplomats of any country push ideals/values.</p>
<p>Ofcourse,playing a role at UN can give you scope(in a vey limited way)for that kind of role. And for that, you do not have to be from a big country.</p>
<p>yeah, but still, a diplomat of a small country doesn’t have much influence. I wonder how the type of work compares with being a diplomat of say, US or China or Russia?</p>
<p>screwitlah— i don’t see if you have much option. Yeah, it is true that a diplomats of US, UK, and Russia will have much more demanding work, because of their influence in the world one way or the other. They are the powerhouses of the world’s economy. But since you are a citizen of singapore, you will be a diplomat of your country, not of the countries you are referring to.</p>
<p>If you are highly intersted in international affairs, pursue it. Maybe you can change the way foreign plicy is viewed in your country. Working for UN and other international diplomaitc organizations will also be great. And working for smaller countries maybe even more difficult. Your country is not that known in the world as compared to USs, so it’ll be your task to work hard for the betterment of our country and to enhance its reputation.</p>
<p>I am also thinking of majoring in International studies and working as a diplomat for my country, Nepal, later in the future.</p>
<p>Hi! oddly enough, my mom is a diplomat…of the philippines. call it insignificant if you want but even if it is, her job is amazing.</p>
<p>every SIX YEARS we move to a new country. And even though she is a diplomat of the philippines the possible posts (Where you live and work) range from the US, Europe, Africa, South America…practically anywhere!</p>
<p>The opportunites are incredible, not to mention being a diplomat or taking up intl relations has a lot of capabilities. Meaning, before my mom started getting different posts she worked as a delegate to the UN. She always goes around the world for meetings and at the end of the day, you’re still representing YOUR country. And personally, i think that if you truly want to be a diplomat considering your country as ‘insignificant’ could be a problem cause your whole job is to make sure that your country thrives and makes a positive impact on the intl community :D</p>
<p>Even though Singapore is small and insignificant, I do feel - and this sentiment is shared by many - that the Singapore MFA has done well. We’re a small country without resources and hence do not have much leverage, but there’s still much work to be done. And in that aspect, MFA’s achievements are not few - US-Singapore FTA anyone? Chan Heng Chee (US-Singapore ambassador) was rumored to be a nominee for secretary-general (of course Singapore’d not have encouraged her, as the scandal with the Oil for Food has kind of turned Singapore off the UN).</p>
<p>actually in a way being the diplomat of a small country might help… in the sense that you are much more powerful to influence your countries policies… in a big country, there are too many people and boards to take into account… though this might vary with bureaucracy…</p>
<p>Being a diplomat of a small country is way more interesting than being one in the US, especially on a day-to-day basis. In the US, you begin pretty much as a consular officer (Read: stamp passports) in a far-off, usually small country and work your way up a ladder filled with lots of the best and brightest. When you finally make it to the top, you find your possible postings limited due to the large number of political appointees to top jobs. In a smaller country you can be a big fish in a small pond, and have a much larger influence on your country’s policies.</p>
<p>Remember, you can put diplomatic plates on your car. You can park where ever you want in NY or DC and not have to pay a ticket. If you live in <pick a=“” us=“” city=“”> you can be the ‘consulate’ person there and entertain your countrymen or businessmen when they are in town, etc. You also may have immunity from criminal prosecution (but could be prosecuted back home in possibly a stricter country).</pick></p>
<p>I don’t understand how being a diplomat of any country can be considered a small job. A lot of people feel like their jobs are inferior to others, but in reality they are not, and should never be considered as such. Being a diplomat is a fabulous job, and several perks were represented in the above posts. I suggest going for what feels right and honest, not because you think that it’s inferior. If it truly is inferior in your mind, then I’m not sure if it is the right job for you.</p>
<p>My advice is: don’t work for the foreign service / Singapore government unless you have received the Overseas Merit Scholarship. It doesn’t do much for your morale when you see your colleagues with OMS getting promoted faster.</p>
<p>lol where r u from coz i have also this plan and my country is veeeery small,. how small is ur country?
yeah i know diplomat’s children. some of them like it a lot coz they like changes and going to private british school, having a prviate driver and ****s like that.
others dont like coz they change country every 4 years and leaving their friends… but in general people have mostly positive experience, coz its a big change.
if u like to move and ur lucky enough to get some ‘‘normal’’ country then its a great job and its well paid
plus i love my country so its my dream job :)</p>
but even if it is, her job is amazing.</p>