Back with the Embassy Crowd

Today I went to the US Embassy to check-in with the Public Affairs Office. I finally got to meet Valerie, Irina, and Valentina in person and they were all very nice and helpful. They told me that different organizations and universities in Chisinau might like me to come in to give presentations in English or lead conversation groups and I would definitely be interested in helping out with that because I will meet a lot of new people. Irina also gave me the contact information of a lady at the International Organization of Migration who said she would help me out with my research in any way possible. The office had been trying to get me an internship there because that was the organization I identified in my proposal, but it wasn't going to be a good time for them to take on the additional responsibility of an intern. This woman should be able to get me into meetings and give me some good information though so I'm looking forward to meeting her.

Anyway, it was fun to be back in a US Embassy. This one couldn't be much different from the embassy in Sofia. In Bulgaria, the embassy was located really far away from anything and the security was way more intense. That embassy was also enormous, and this one is very small but in a much prettier building. Valerie said one reason she chose this post was because she heard the city is very safe, so that was good to hear. She's been here for a year so far.

I didn't meet many other people, but there is going to be a Labor Day Barbecue with live music tomorrow and I was invited to that so I'm definitely going to go. Irina and Valentina aren't going but they said all the Americans will be there. It's at the Marine House, just like all the events were when I was in Bulgaria. The address is farther from the embassy though; in Sofia the building was practically attached to the embassy. They gave me good directions though so I think I'm going to take public transportation for the first time and I'm sure I'll find it ok.

I think next week I will start to arrange meetings and figure out what classes I might be able to take at ULIM. I know this week wouldn't be good for everyone because there were a few holidays and then the semester just started up so it would be really busy at the universities. Next week things should start to come together, and I'm excited to meet more people tomorrow.