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How a US Diplomat balances career, family, and work in Kazakhstan

06.12.2024

How a US Diplomat balances career, family, and work in Kazakhstan

A US diplomat shared insights about a decade of experience in the State Department and the life-saving work he has been involved in.


Brandon Peart, city —Astana, Deputy Official Representative of the U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan

US diplomat on life in Kazakhstan

About myself


I am a member of the United States Foreign Service and have been working in the State Department for over 10 years.

When I was 14, my neighbor joined the Foreign Service as an IT specialist. That was the first time I learned about the US Foreign Service. Around the same time, I participated in Model United Nations, where we held debates, studied global issues, and came up with solutions. I realized I truly enjoyed it. So, at the age of 14, I set a goal for myself — to join the Foreign Service.

I enrolled at the University of Utah, where I studied political science and economics. I interned at a think tank in Washington, D.C., working with researchers from the Czech Republic since I speak Czech.

I was fortunate to receive the Truman Scholarship and was also selected by the State Department for the Pickering Fellowship. Both scholarships allowed me to study at Johns Hopkins University, where I focused on international economics and conflict management.

About my work

After graduating in 2014, I began my career in the Foreign Service. My first posting was in Moscow as a visa officer, where I went with my wife.

After Moscow, we moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, where we both worked at the US Embassy. I was responsible for issuing special immigrant visas to local colleagues whose work involved significant risks due to their assistance to the US. I knew my work was important, and in some cases, it was literally a matter of life and death.

US diplomat on life in Kazakhstan

My wife and I cherish our time in Afghanistan, where we made many good friends with whom we still keep in touch.

After Kabul, I was offered a position at the State Department’s Operations Center, a 24/7 hub that monitors global events and diplomatic missions. We were always ready to provide information to the Secretary of State and senior State Department leaders at the White House at any time. It was a high-pressure, shift-based job with long hours, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with that team.

Following that, I spent a year in Washington, D.C., as a staff assistant to the Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources.

After the pandemic, my first assignment was supposed to be in Astana, but during that time, my wife received her first diplomatic posting in Honduras. I love my wife and didn’t want to be apart from her, especially since she was pregnant. So, I followed her to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. At the time, there was only one open position at the embassy — as the embassy’s spokesperson, so I applied for it.

My wife’s next posting was Astana, a place we had planned to move to four years ago. Once again, I was offered a position here — working with the press and social media, the same role I had in Honduras. We were thrilled to come here because before becoming a diplomat, my wife worked in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. She had traveled extensively throughout Central Asia and had much more experience in the region than I did.

About working in Central Asia

My job involves sharing information. A significant part of my work focuses on highlighting collaboration between countries. One of the main aspects I concentrate on is press freedom.

Deputy Spokesman for the US Mission to Kazakhstan

I am involved in several programs aimed at helping journalists enhance their professional skills. We organize training sessions to improve journalists’ English proficiency, giving them access to a wider range of information sources.

We also focus on expanding opportunities to create content in Kazakh. For instance, we have a program for Kazakhstani participants where we teach animation, enabling them to convey information in a more accessible and engaging format.

About Central Asia

Astana is an ultra-modern city, and it’s a comfortable place to live. The people are kind and friendly. I have two young children, and I am particularly impressed by how much Kazakhstani people value raising their children and invest in their future.

American diplomats in Kazakhstan

Nature is another aspect that draws us to Kazakhstan. We are from Utah, a state known for its stunning landscapes and wide-open spaces. When I saw photos of Kazakhstan’s natural scenery, it reminded me of home. My wife and I love hiking, but with our young children, we haven’t been able to do much. When they grow older, we look forward to exploring the natural beauty of Central Asia.

I feel fortunate to be in Kazakhstan — it’s the perfect place for a young family.

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