Job Discussion Forums

[moneyoriented]

Word is that US embassies are the least helpful to their citizens living or travelling abroad.

On the other hand, I've heard that the embassies of smaller countries (Ireland, Denmark, etc.) can be extremely helpful to their citizens abroad.

What have you heard? And what has been your own experience with your country's embassy(-ies) abroad?

[arioch36]

Here in China they all seem about the same, ofer the same services, etc. Perhaps you could be more specific? Helpful/unhelpful in what way? "Word" is that Canada is the worst for getting your CHinese wife back home

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

The U.S. Embassy??? Ohhhh, I get it, you're refering to the local U. S. Trade Office!!!

NCTBA

[Guy Courchesne]

The Canadian embassy in Mexico City has always been fairly helpful to me. I think all the difference in the world is made by the person one is dealing with at the counter.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

No, Guy, if it's the official U.S. presence...it's ALL about the money. I remember back when Clinton and Congress couldn't come to terms on the budget, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh were brazen and shameless enough to broadcast the fact that ALL American Citizen services would be suspended.

HOWEVER Saudis who needed visas would be allowed in for processing. Hence, "the local U.S. Trade Office!

[Justin Trullinger]

I've dealt with the local consulate citizens service area a couple of times-

Once to replace an expired passport.

Once to replace the new passport, which was destroyed in a circumstance that never should have happened.

They were pleasant and helpful on both occasions, though neither is a high stress demand for help.

THey also have a security division that has been helpful, though a little alarmist, in orientations for US participants residing with us, about safety.

THeir "Warden Reports" are occasionally informative, often amusing, and frequently provide material for classroom grammar correction exercises.


Best,
Justin

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,
While you hit upon the major concern US embassies (and probably all the others) have, there's also the "political" aspect (which would include, of course, espionage.)
In my experience, if you are naive enough to depend on a US embassy to actually help you, especially in an emergency, you are likely to suffer a rude awakening.
When I was in Shiraz, Iran in '78 and '79 (my first overseas gig), I actually registered with the consulate there. When the "Islamic Revolution" started heating up, I tried calling the consulate - no answer. So, a group of us American teachers at the university (at the time called Pahlavi University, now called Shiraz University) who had also tried calling to no avail went over there. The consulate was locked up and deserted. All the staff had taken off for Tehran without so much as a "Good-bye and good luck" to any American citizens in Shiraz.
Then in '91, in Riyadh, when Operation Desert Storm was in the works and concerns were being raised about the possibility of Saddam targeting Riyadh with Scud missiles that had biological and/or chemical warheads, every other embassy except for the USA one promptly issued gas masks to its citizens. It took weeks - and a lot of calls to representatives in Congress - before the USA embassy finally broke down and issued them
(by that time, I already had two - one from my place of employment, the IPA , and another given to me by a British expat who'd gotten it from his embassy - he decided to head for Jeddah.)
So, I'd say that it's probably not a good idea to place too much trust in your embassy helping you, especially if you're from the USA.
Regards,
John

[MELEE]

My daughters were born in Mexico. When it came time for me to get their US passports, the Embassy in Mexico city was EXTREMELY unhelpful, but the Consular Agent in Oaxaca City was extremely patient and helpful. In Mexico City, I had to pay to phone them but they would only answer the phones between 3 and 5 pm and they don't have hold, if the extension doesn't pick up it passes you out to the receptionist who patches you back to the extension you need. For three days I spent 2 hours passing between the receptionist and the extension, never getting to talk to the person I needed to talk to. When I finally did get through on the fourth day and started in on my list of 20 questions that came up while filling in the forms, the ONLY answer the person would give me was "Just fill it it and if there is a mistake we will send it back to you." To ALL 20 questions! It was infuriating. Then I called the Consular Agent in Oaxaca (who only answers the phone from 10-3 and the secretary there told me to come in (a 2 1/2 hour trip) and they would help me fill in the papers.

So in my experience, if you are American, try to Consulate first, the smaller the better, before going to the Embassy.

[Justin Trullinger]

Johnslat,

Have you ever been to Ecuador? you've been in a suspiciously coincidental number of the same places as a guy I met a couple of years back.

Best,
Justin