Page 89 - IFAFA ebook v4

35.

Johannes Vollersten

My wife, Sarah, joined the Department in Spring 2019, which as I

write this, makes me one of the newest members of IFAFA. The way

of life that goes with this new world, however, is not alien to me. I

grew up both in Iceland and Denmark as I have a parent from each,

and as a child, I moved regularly back and forth between the two

countries. As an adult I have enjoyed living in different countries,

having spent periods in Malta, Belgium, and for the last five years,

I have been proud to call Ireland my home.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a diplomat, and I went as far as

achieving a Masters in Diplomatic Studies after completing a degree

in politics. Life brings you on an interesting journey though,

because after my studies I did a stint working at the Icelandic

Embassy in Brussels, which is where I met my wife. When we first

embarked on those Belgian beers in Place de Luxembourg in

Brussels, little did I realize the adventure that was in store.

The next twist in the journey, was that through happenstance I got

a job in the technology field after dabbling in diplomacy, wherein I

have made my career. Though the plan had been otherwise, the

reality is that while my strong interest in foreign affairs remains, I

have come to know I prefer working on programming, rather than

policy.

I get asked often, as we look towards our first posting, how I could

contemplate giving up my job to follow my wife. Between us we

have already lived in seven countries, and encountered the

excitement and various challenges that go with learning new

cultures, cities and cuisines. With all that behind us, from where I

stand, it is not about following her, it is about us taking these

opportunities to discover whatever the next country will be,

together.

I was fortunate enough to have a friend that introduced me to

IFAFA from the start of my wife’s tenure, and I got involved from

the get-go. I could immediately see why it is essential to have an

active and engaged partner network and I have really enjoyed

meeting and getting to know other members. It has helped me to

learn about and understand the potential challenges, and wonderful

opportunities, of this unique shared lifestyle. I am also eager to do

what I can contribute to the Association in terms of energy and any

expertise of my own I can offer, as we work towards the next 40

years and the next 40 faces of IFAFA.

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