| KDChi Sister is Living Her Dream... |
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KAPPA DELTA CHI SISTER TO SERVE AS A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER IN SAUDI ARABIA
Perez is grateful to find a job that blends her two passions of traveling the world and helping others. As part of the FSO process, she’s undergone rigorous cultural and government studies. Within six months, she was also required to learn and pass language requirement tests in Arabic, the predominant language spoken in Saudi Arabia. “I’m absolutely excited about this opportunity and I hope to immerse myself in their culture, lifestyle and practice the Arabic language.” Saudi Arabia’s culture is very different than our culture in the United States. Kim will have her own driver because women are not allowed to drive there and she will wear an abaya, or Islamic robe that covers from the neck down. This is the requisite attire of Saudi women. She’s not allowed out in public without a male counterpart and won’t be able to eat out at public restaurants with her male colleagues. The cultural shift does come with some perks as well. Her housing and bills are all-inclusive and Saudi Arabia is a hot city for fashion, rice, kabobs and shopping. “The majority of the time the malls are reserved for the women who are very much interested in designer wear, especially shoes and jewelry since that is what everyone can see,” Perez shares. Kim is grateful to KDChi for her experience serving the community and for teaching her leadership skills that she feels provided a seamless journey into life as a diplomat. She’s not alone in her journey to serve and was pleased to learn fellow Longhorn and Sister Angela Cardenas of Houston, TX is currently serving as an FSO in Nicaragua. Perez attended the University of Texas at Austin and double majored in Social Work and Psychology. As a graduate student she attended Texas A&M, Corpus Christi and acquired her Masters Degree in Public Administration. She will serve in the Consular’s office in Riyadh assisting journalists and Saudi’s who wish to visit the United States. For more information on becoming a Foreign Service Officer please visit the State Department FSO site .
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Runner, Victim/Witness…
