How Does a Foreign Diplomat Spend a Typical Workday?

Staying Abreast of Current Events

One of the major responsibilities that a diplomat has is to be well informed of most current events, especially with regards to how they affect the country he represents. Most of this information will come in the form of special reports that are prepared for foreign officials, but a diplomat must also do some of his own research. This often means reading several newspapers and other periodicals, both international and local. Because a diplomat will spend much of his time discussing foreign policy with other government officials, it is important to be well-versed in what is going on in the world.

Meetings

The amount of time that a foreign diplomat spends in meetings varies greatly from country to country. It may also change based on the current state of the country. A war torn country that is filled with conflict will often require multiple long meetings, often going into the night. However, a more stable nation will generally require fewer face-to-face meetings and a more conventional nine to five workweek. A foreign diplomat will meet with both local and national government officials, as well as with other dignitaries in the area.

Writing Reports

A diplomat needs to be an expert on his country and the goals and actions within the country that he is based in. As a result, he will need to be able to write reports and memorandums that other government officials can read and consult. Typically, a foreign diplomat will do this work in the evening and during free time during the day. This type of work also helps a diplomat to remain productive even when there are no urgent meetings or issues.