Overseas Briefing Center (OBC)
RESEARCH life at overseas posts
LEARN the logistical requirements of a move
FIND resources to help navigate the foreign affairs lifestyle
At the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC), we help U.S. Government employees and their family members prepare for an overseas assignment or a return home. We encourage you to explore our website and email us with questions and requests for additional information.
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Post Briefing Boxes – Find over 250 post-specific boxes containing extensive country materials including Welcome to Post information, the Post Report, medical and health considerations, security issues, employment for family members, schooling for children, car import/export specifications, pet import and quarantine requirements, housing and more.
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Post Info To Go – Post Briefing Boxes are available in electronic format on the DOS Intranet website, provding access to a view of post life from your desktop. Post Info To Go pages also allow you to email key information to yourself and your family members.
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Personal Post Insights highlight anonymous feedback about life at post, including schooling, employment for family members, housing, life at post for singles, what car to bring, and more. Written by people serving at post, they express a variety of opinions and perspectives. Over 2,500 PPIs are available on the OBC Intranet through the Post Info To Go pages.
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Audiovisual collection of over 200 audiovisual resources, including post videos that can be checked out overnight or viewed in the OBC. Post videos highlight daily life as a member of a specific embassy community. Over 50 post videos are also available as streaming video from BNET, located on the DOS Intranet.
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Pet Import and Quarantine Restrictions database helps provide detailed information to Foreign Service families taking a pet overseas.
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Logistical information for an international move, including consumables lists, household goods, insurance, important paperwork and documents to hand-carry.
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Washington, DC area information for a return home, including temporary housing facilities near FSI, childcare, and general reentry information.
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Cultural resource information, including a subscription to CultureGrams.
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School brochures and yearbooks representing schools in overseas locations.
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Publications that support the Foreign Service lifestyle.
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Two Resource Specialists who address individual concerns – OBC staff are members of the Foreign Service community with multiple years experience at a wide variety of posts. They are available to answer any/all questions, in person or through email. Contact a Resource Specialist at FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov.
