When Dr. Maryann Beebe-Ally's husband was awarded the diplomatic promotion of a lifetime, friends and colleagues rushed to celebrate their good fortune.

A successful American businesswoman in her own right, Dr. Maryann was now wife to the Ambassador of Guyana to Kuwait; a role that would have them working with business leaders, royalty, and heads of state.

But while those around her were smiling, some harbored unspoken concerns about her safety, how she would be treated as a woman, and residing in a region with a history of conflict. Dr.

Maryann shares how she evolved from familiarizing herself with her new surroundings and role in diplomatic life, to growing deeper roots in the community, and contributing in ways that add value. At its heart, Friendship Is the Gift is a story about falling in love with a foreign culture and finding home in unexpected places.

This book is for those:· Interested in understanding and fostering international relations and diplomacy· Seeking international adventure· Wanting an easily digestible information on the misunderstood Arabian Peninsula, specifically Kuwait· Prospective diplomats & their families who want to know what a mission is likeFor AMERICANS, "Friendship Is the Gift" shares we have a kindred spirit with Kuwaitis. It is largely unknown in the USA that Kuwait is a peace-loving country and that Kuwaitis hold Americans in high esteem.

My perspective of Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula before this trip was misinformed. This memoir seeks to share how interconnected our countries are, how much Americans and Kuwaitis are alike, and insight into Kuwaiti culture and customs.

For GUYANESE, you will see how my husband, Ambassador Dr. Shamir Ally, and I represented you in our overseas post and how we raised awareness that benefited Guyana, South America, commonly grouped with the Caribbean or CARICOM.

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