Country Information and Bidding Resources

Bidding and Assignments Research

• Email the Overseas Briefing Center with a request for information.  OBC’s assistance is available to U.S. Government employees and their family members assigned to, serving at, or returning from a U.S. embassy/consulate overseas.
• Eligible family members (EFMs) on a U.S. government employee’s official orders to serve at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas can access post-specific information via the website Post Info To Go – External.  Email for access information.

Family Member Employment

• FSI’s Transition Center offers family member employment courses and workshops.
• The Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) offers resources for family members looking to work overseas, including a listing of bilateral work agreements and de facto work arrangements and information on their Global Employment Initiative.

Schooling Resources for the Education of Foreign Service Children

• The Office of Overseas Schools (OOS) offers information on schools supported by the U.S. Department of State and non-assisted schools.
• The Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) offers advice on appropriate schooling options and resources to make educated decisions about education overseas.

Transition Center Training Courses

• Get prepared for an overseas assignment with Foreign Affairs Life Skills training.
• Security Awareness training is mandatory for all employees assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.  Family members are encouraged to attend.

Government Resources

• Air Quality  – Find data on air quality in specific locations.
• CIA World Factbook  – Summaries of country information and rankings by various factors
• Health Information for Foreign Countries  – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel health information
• Inspector General Reports – Inspection reports summarizing the main tasks and challenges (not available for all countries)
• International U.S. Commercial Service Offices 
• Library of Congress Country Studies  – Description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of selected countries
• Overseas Security Advisory Council  – Global security news and reports
• Peace Corps  – Find out what it’s like to be a volunteer from the people who know best – the volunteers themselves
• Post Classification and Payment Tables – Allowances and differentials by country
• Travel Advisories and Consular Information Sheets – Summaries of dangers, areas of instability, health concerns, crime, and unusual currency or entry requirements
• United States Agency for International Development  – Locations and overviews for country-specific programs
• Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions
• Foreign Affairs Offices and Organizations

Non-Government Resources

• Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide  (AAFSW) – This organization connects the American diplomatic community at home and abroad with resources and support programs. Their site hosts useful articles about overseas life in general. AAFSW’s LiveLines yahoo group offers 24/7 answers to questions about posts for those who have passed the Foreign Service exam or are already members of the U.S. Foreign Service community.
• International Chambers of Commerce: The World Business Organization  (ICC) – provides a forum for businesses and other organizations to examine and understand the nature and significance of the major shifts taking place in the world economy.
• Association of Diplomatic Studies and Training  (ADST) – Provides a collection of oral history interviews of foreign affairs practitioners. They also house a Country and Subject Reader Series , which provides a chronological, historical overview through a series of oral interviews regarding a particular country or policy subject.
• Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas  (FAWCO) – international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations.
• Foreign Service Youth Foundation  (FSYF) – supports children, teens and families affiliated with U.S. foreign affairs agencies and strives to help young people adapt to their changing environments and make the most of their Foreign Service experiences.
• GlobalEDGE  – Country data resources from the Michigan State University for global business knowledge.
• LangMedia  – Language and Cultural resources (including video and audio materials) for selected countries.

Note: The above links are for informational purposes only and in no way constitute an endorsement, expressed or implied, by the Department of State. Links to websites outside the U.S. federal government or the use of trade, firm, or corporation names are for the convenience of the user and do not constitute an official endorsement or approval of any private sector website, product, service, or privacy policy.