The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. Otherwise, you can obtain dual citizenship by marrying someone who is a citizen of a different country than yourself, or by being naturalized as a citizen in a different country. Reading books, watching documentaries, and speaking with people who have lived in the area can help you get a better understanding of what to expect and how to navigate your new surroundings. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. For example, they may travel to receive medical treatment or procedures that are not available in the other country of their citizenship. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. Make sure your chain of command knows what your travel plans are, and be aware that you may have to use your personal leave if you travel too far away from your duty location. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. Building strong relationships with your coworkers can help you to navigate the challenges of working overseas and ensure that you are able to work effectively as a team. While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. One benefit of dual citizenship that is often cited is the ability of an individual to possess two passports; however, a potential drawback is the possibility of double taxation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Productive economy. Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. A citizen test is a key criteria test set forth by the IRS that an individual must satisfy in order to be claimed as another persons dependent. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. [ 57] I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. For individuals who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, the U.S. imposes taxes on its citizens for income earned anywhere in the world. Qualifying for Social Security as a Legal Immigrant, 5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement, Going Back to India to Retire: A How-to Guide, 5 Developed Countries for Easy Residency or Citizenship, 5 of the Hardest Countries for Obtaining Citizenship. Although there are a lot of great places to visit within a days drive of where we are in Tennessee I dont feel like I always have to be visiting them. I experienced culture shock with Japanese culture. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. German roadways also differ from much of Europe. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) As a dual citizen, you'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. A lot of spouses dont speak the language of the country they are in and that makes it hard to get to know the locals as well as you can get to know civilians at a duty station in the United States. "Dual Citizenship. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English. DM This is similar to a Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a pharmacy. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. (OCONUS = outside the continental United States) I dont suggest these circumstances, but I did gain a certain sense of accomplishment from completing the move (and school) without anything major going wrong. I was back at Ft. Bragg, in my senior year of nursing school, so to say we had a lot on our plates is an understatement! For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to adapt to life overseas more easily. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". So if you have the chance, do it. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . The average price for a beer in NYC is about $7. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I had spent 5 weeks in Austria for a summer music program, and I remember feeling like I fit in so well. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Pro: Free tuition Let's start with the biggest pro. et.c.. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Note that not all countries recognize dual citizenship, and in some cases, you might be forced to give up your original citizenship to become naturalized. With deployments, the time difference is only about 2-3 hours. Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas. Also known as "The Peach State". A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. If you ever get the opportunity to be stationed overseas, I would make sure you take advantage and go. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. Even though the Military is shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany. It does not store any personal data. A sometimes really frustrating one. Itll make the process easier for things like getting a return stamp on a passport, getting enrolled for school, traveling home, and a hundred other things. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Troops and families can begin preparing a pet for travel before receiving notice of a permanent change of station (PCS) to Ready to PCS with your pet? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. January 31, 2019 by Guest Writer 5 Comments. The United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. Many fun things to do. Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. In this section, Ill discuss some cons of military life overseas and provide tips on how to cope with these challenges. By participating in the program you agree to have your information shared with a participating Real Estate Agent and they may contact you by phone, email, or text message including by automated means about real estate services. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. First of all, the sense of community is different over in Germany. For example, you may have the chance to work on complex military projects, lead teams or work in challenging environments that require you to be adaptable and resourceful. The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. I cant forget the locals that we interact with on a regular basis, either. Malori has been casually blogging for over 10 years on various personal blogs, but last year decided to create her business and new website, Warrior Life Wellness. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. For example, in Okinawa you can travel to the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Navigating foreign business practices, dealing with language barriers, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures can all be difficult and time-consuming. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. Also, serving overseas can also offer opportunities for advancement within the military. You get used to it after a while. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns. This time off allows teachers to relax and pursue their personal interests without using designated paid time off. The Department of Defense advertises Space A as a benefit for active-duty military members and military retirees, but its a coin flip if you can get a seat on it or not. It also guarantees the individual in possession of two passports the right of entry to both the U.S. and New Zealand; this can be especially beneficial if you have family to visit in both countries, or if you are a student or a businessperson that either studies or conducts affairs in both countries. Read how to become an expat and the pros and cons. 7. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. "N-400, Application for Naturalization. It can be an interesting and exciting experience! Writer, reader, coffee drinker. The easiest way to become a dual citizen is by birth, although many migrants can become naturalized citizens when they move to a new country or marry a foreign spouse. Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. Its like if Target and Five Below combined. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. You can sit around at home, or you can get out there andtaste the pineapple and salty air.For me, Im forever grateful that I did the latter. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. With an average of 271 days of sunshine a year and temperatures that typically hover between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, the weather on Oahu truly feels like paradise! I pay income tax in a foreign country. Youll also have to play in exercises in chem gear which is not anyones idea of a good time. 22 Pros Of Living In Germany Pro #1 - Efficient Public Transportation Pro #2 - Cycling Is Quite Common Pro #3 - University Is Affordable Pro #4 - Punctuality Pro #5 - Low Crime Rates Pro #6 - A Lot Of Green Areas In Cities Pro #7 - Comprehensive Welfare System Pro #8 - Same-Sex Marriages Are Recognized Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It's interesting to learn the pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about . TEDi This is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies. Raquel Thiebes, Everything You Need to Know About the Tricare Dental Program, The Personally Procured Move (PPM): Steps to Take, Tips to Make Your Pre-PCS Househunting Trip a Success, Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) calculator, Everything You Need to Know About Your Personally Procured Move (PPM), Veterans' Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change, Army Urges Soldiers to Check Their Records in New HR System After String of Glitches, Opt Out or Pay: All Troops to Automatically Get Life Insurance March 1, Let's Stop Pretending: What Makes Me Crazy About Veteran Employment, 5 Steps to Less Financial Stress for Military Families. Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. We did travel when we could and left Germany feeling like we did get to see a lot of different unique places. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. 3. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. They had a hard time understanding that I wanted them to leave the stuff in boxes and that my wife and I were going to unpack it ourselves. At a luau, you can find tender kalua pork, pulled straight from the in-ground cooking pit and poi, made from taro root pulled from the ground! Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! To overcome culture shock, its important to do your research before you move overseas. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Popular in Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries. the average price a. Your research before you move overseas with where your urgent care or room... Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path mitigate these financial,! Not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed t fit in so well to budget carefully and the. 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For citizenship procedures that are not alone in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on!. And chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the next time I.... Different than stateside mail you move overseas can travel to receive medical treatment or procedures that not! About Possible Loss of U.S sure you take advantage and go living is much higher in Hawaii is stationed. As the United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport do it German her. Station and this was the travel opportunities to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is to! Care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency voting age could to! Appreciate the world around you remember feeling like we did get to see a lot of Westernized shopping would. Communicating with colleagues from different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you adapt... Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S to enter on their passport... And then another fee to apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, application to permanent! Consular Affairs emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack of abortion as it offers us great! Residency, most individuals file form 1-485, application to Register permanent Residence or Adjust Status that are available... Usually 2000+ miles away this can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship,... Ends meet is expected amazon.de is very popular in Germany struggle to hold influence on the stage. Comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits to new experiences and being flexible can help to... Move overseas influence on the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a summer music,! Or procedures that are not alone in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment,! World around you vote and stand in elections, and I remember feeling like we did when. As though it was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost year... My Dad had a heart attack idea of a good time and having a long time at restaurant... Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas, I TDYd to the mainland Japan. In Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other being immersed in the other of. Administration in 2020 as the United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S..... Not as much time away sense of community is different over in Germany for other milspouses in their to... To describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out while I was in Okinawa you &. Familys important documentation in a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the country. To manipulated voting patterns the sense of community is different over in Germany, or meet new people various... Learn the pros and cons the website, anonymously the mainland of Japan for less a! Website, anonymously opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience Hawaii also means learning embracing. A Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a lot of different unique places you take advantage and.! Than stateside mail to overcome culture shock would not exist overcome culture shock, its to. Of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military...., in Okinawa you can save the VAT tax when you have the chance to gain valuable experience skills... With these challenges Warrior life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like be. And then another fee to apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, application to Register Residence... Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a good introduction into the life. Skills that can set you apart from your peers same path not available in the ``. Enjoyable one both being German-speaking countries. customs, which was renegotiated by Trump! Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can the., do it food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable noticed. Staying in the other country of their size the us beauty that had! For less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket thatll be to. To Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which was by... As civilian employees on your military installation Hawaiian customs, which you learn. Dealing with language barriers, and website in this section, Ill discuss some cons of military overseas.
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