Born in San Antonio, TX, I grew up in a loving and healthy family that provided me with every opportunity within reason. I went to the University of Texas in Austin (business school) and soon realized that with my absolutely normal background, if I continued in the typical path a business graduate takes I’d be having absolutely normal mid-life crises.
I took an interest in learning about other cultures, international issues, and diplomacy. After listening hard to the heart of my interests, I made a decision (at the top of Mount Bonnell in Austin) that my career belonged to an international field. Whether it’s in diplomacy for the USG or business elsewhere, I hope to build a life with the aim of always trying to re-invent myself through a dynamic career.
After graduation, I took a position in Europe in The Netherlands with Mercedes Benz. It was an excellent year abroad and afterwards made my way over to DC to pursue the State Department. When I arrived, I found work for a State Department contractor. I worked in DC for some time with them before asking to head out on a contract overseas. Thinking flexibility would be the key to a quick deployment, I should have known that you start at the bottom. Darfur, hardly a pleasure spot, has been quite the learning experience.
Growing up, I had no interest in computers and after begging my university first year computer professor for a boost from a failing ‘D’ to a passing ‘C’, thought I would never be in tune with technology. Shortly after I realized its importance in the world today and enrolled in additional courses, developing websites in my spare time for extra cash. As for writing, I started a journal my freshmen year in college because I thought it would be interesting to one day look back at the breeding ground for my most fantastically struggled memories – aka college life and the shaping into an adult.
Multiple journals, emails, and websites later, we have MattSiller.com – A Blog Away From Home – to accompany my journey through the desert of Africa. I hope you’re enjoying.