There are also specific rules tied to being here with the military, like how to use VAT forms, what you cannot have sent to your APO box, getting your home-based business approved, and more. Also known as "The Peach State". However, there are ways to overcome culture shock and make the most of your time abroad. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. It can also help you to expand your comfort zones, as you are forced to step out of your comfort zone and tackle new challenges. Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. I pay income tax in a foreign country. The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. Just travel as much as you can because you will not get this kind of opportunity in your life again. Dual citizens enjoy certain benefits, such as the ability to live and work freely in two countries, own property in both countries, and travel between the countries with relative ease. Moving to Germany is something that happens to other military families. Just like I never thought I would marry a soldier, I never thought wed get stationed overseas even though it was a dream of mine to live in Europe. But my pride got the best of me and I struggled big time with adjusting. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". There are many historical sites all over the islands that date back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. Please check with a program Customer Service Representative for details. My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. Make sure you have renter's insurance. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. She believes that rigorous organization is key to a smooth OCONUS PCS, so she recently opened an Etsy shop, where milspouses can purchase printable Overseas PCS Binder pages for creating their own organizational binder. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. Know how it works, how to figure out what your German address is (even on-post) and know how to send mail to your German address. I would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. As you can see there are a lot of great things about being stationed in Germany. While youre stationed overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are stationed in. Honestly, there is not a lotof good information out there about PCSing to Europe. Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to adapt to life overseas more easily. As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. When our household goods was delivered, I had difficulty speaking with the Japanese crew that unpacked all of our things. 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. Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. 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. If you were not born in the U.S. and you want to become a U.S. citizen, there are many requirements for gaining dual citizenship. (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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouses Military Career , The Truth About Seeing Your Spouse Again After A Deployment, 14 Tips to Help You Survive Basic Training When Your Spouse Joins the Military, What To Do When Your Spouse Wants To Join The Military, The Big List of Facebook Groups For Military Spouses You Should Absolutely Join, Why You Should Break Up With Your Military Boyfriend. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. ", Government of Canada. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. What makes a positive difference when moving to a foreign country is receiving your household goods. Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. Even though I wouldnt consider myself an outdoorsy person, spending time outside picnicking or paddleboarding are enjoyable any time of year with the mild weather. Since it can be expensive to fly home, military families stationed in Hawaii often spend holidays with friends.I forged some of the strongest friendships of my life right here on this little island. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . I again drew on my former European experience. I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. People are more likely to stress about audits than identity theft and nearly as likely as they are to worry about having enough money or missing the filing deadline. A beautiful and varied landscape. After being in the US for a few years I can say that I miss that sense of community that we had over in Germany. They seem to be happening all the time too. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. Each country has its own laws and restrictions about who can enter its borders, and dual citizens should consider the advantages of both passports when crossing customs. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. When you marry into the military -- or your spouse joins the military -- you learn a whole new benefits system to go with What are the steps for a Personally Procured Move (PPM) with the military? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. Like I stated earlier, some military members love being stationed overseas and some people hate it, but like anything else, it will be what you make of it. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. I cant forget the locals that we interact with on a regular basis, either. The time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them. It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! Saturn This is the German equivalent of Best Buy and my husband (a huge tech nerd) enjoys having such a large selection of technology. 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. All of this creates a pretty tight community. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By ", U.S. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. 1. The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Its an OCONUS (outside continental United States) duty station, but unlike most otherOCONUSduty stations, youre still living in the United States, which means no need for passports, conversion rates, or having to learn a new language. Beer everywhere. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners; however, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service. For example, in the US, when you go out to eat, you are pretty much rushed out of the restaurant as soon as you eat your food. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. Deployments can last for months or even years, which can be tough on families. If you travel frequently between the two countries, this might be especially useful since property ownership might offer a more economical way to live in two places. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? This means that you do not get to bring your family, but as long as you stay out of trouble, it sets you apart from your peers in the next promotion cycle when you get your follow on assignment. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. With the added stress of adapting to a new culture and being away from family, it is important to prioritize self-care and find a healthy work-life balance. Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. Moderate cost of living. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. 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. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. As a dual citizen, you'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. What Are the Advantages of the EU? If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. I miss that. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Military Draft. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. A significant benefit of military service is the VA home loan, allowing you to purchase a home with no down payment or refinance a home. One of the biggest cons of military life overseas is the homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends. A distinct advantage of using your VA loan is that you may not have to pay some of the additional fees normally paid at Copyright 2023 Military.com. List of the Pros of Living in Germany 1. In order to become naturalized as a U.S. citizen, a foreign national must be a permanent resident for several years, pass a U.S. citizenship test, and meet certain other eligibility requirements. She is the co-founder of PowerZone Trading, a company that has provided programming, consulting, and strategy development services to active traders and investors since 2004. What Is a Resident Alien? My wife and I have hosted many Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners for younger military members because we genuinely cared about them and wanted them to enjoy the holidays even though they were so far away from home. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. Whether youre looking for new cultural experiences, career opportunities, or personal growth, military life abroad has the potential to offer all of these things and more. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. It also helps to meet your neighbors and to make at least one close friend with whom you can commiserate and go through this unique experience together. Its been years since we moved back to the states and because of that I can look back and see Germany for what it was. 1. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Because tax laws are complicated and can change from year to year, it's important for individuals facing this situation to consult with a qualified tax accountant. 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! Culture shock can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and disorientation. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows U.S. citizens to exclude up to $112,000 of foreign-earned income from their taxes in 2022 ($120,000 in 2023). Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. Embrace the journey! It does not store any personal data. 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. A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. Hello You Designs. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Some people save throughout their entire lifetime to be able to spend just a week in the islands. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Why? I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. If you are ever in a solo PCS situation, especially overseas, get your family or close friends to help! January 31, 2019 by Guest Writer 5 Comments. . Approximately 92% of US student loans are owned by the US Department of Education. 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. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. You can also ship things to your deployed spouse for free. The pros and cons of going to college in Germany 1. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! All real estate commissions are negotiable. With deployments, the time difference is only about 2-3 hours. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. Please let me know if you would like to guest post about where you are stationed! Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Japan are a mere skip and a hop away. I knew we were in for the adventure of a lifetime, but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant. If you have recently received orders to Hawaii, you can access reviews of the military bases, housing neighborhoods, and more--all for free on our membership site here. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. Internal Revenue Service. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". Dual citizenship is when a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Pros and Cons of Globalization. Share. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. "I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 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 reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here, Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more, Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. From the ability to travel and taste new foods, to the nearly perfect weather and rich history of Oahu, this duty station will forever hold a huge piece of my heart. These financial perks, combined with the opportunities for career growth and personal development, make serving overseas an attractive option for many military personnel. This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. 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. The simple answer is, yes; your service member will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied. Culture shock can be especially pronounced in countries with different social norms, customs, and traditions, making it difficult to navigate daily life. Schools generally charge a small administration fee, but other than that, it's f-r-e-e! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In order to qualify for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident in Canada and live there for three of the past five years, as well as file taxes as required. You will find that the cost of living in Germany is much better for most households of any size compared to what you would pay to live somewhere like Boston, New York City, or even Chicago. Kadena, Japan. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. Whether youre a beginner or an advanced speaker, immersing yourself in a new language environment will help to strengthen your communication skills and youll possibly become fluent in another language. The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . "I Am Married to a U.S. Deployments, PTSD, and TBI may have rocked their world in past years, but they weathered through the hard times together and are currently enjoying an overseas assignment at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Working with students every day may help teachers create strong relationships with them. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. They were so cheap. Here's my top 10 list of living in Georgia pros and cons. The nuggets you do find on official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions. If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. 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. Similarly, if a child of U.S. citizens is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and their country of birth (although this is situational because it depends on that specific countrys laws). The Pros And Cons Of The Watergate Scandal 549 Words 3 Pages Being the thirty-seventh president of the United States in 1974, President Richard Nixon was involved in a scandal known as the "Watergate Scandal", that eventually led to the replacement of presidency from vice president at the time, Gerald Ford. Just like any other duty station, Hawaii is what you make of it. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier. Well, maybe you can but the community when you are stationed overseas is unique. A person with dual citizenship is a citizen of two countries at thesame time, which has both advantages and disadvantages because it is a complex legal status. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. 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. But 12 years later? This is a monthly income of $7,170 or an hourly $41.39. (It IS possible for government housing to feel like home!) Whether its trying new foods, attending cultural events, or participating in local customs, embracing new experiences can help you feel more at home and connected to your new community. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. Your email address will not be published. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Read how to become an expat and the pros and cons. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In other words, they're going to. The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. As a result, I put together more than two dozen tips that will be more useful for your PCS to Europe so you can be more ready that you ever dreamed possible. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. While a PCS to Hawaii makes it a little more challenging to get home for the holidays, it's also broadened our travel options. Is just greater the European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression of that. Off-Base housing, cost of living on an island ) seemed to be a real thing will make difficult... The United States been classified into a routine right away situation, especially overseas, youll subject... Beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are pros and cons of being stationed in germany frustrated Zealand Fiji... Those stationed overseas, and you may be available at closing double.... Be smart about money Customer service Representative for details the American community over there Mississippi, new Zealand Fiji... Boys and have been Through four deployments together of course be familiar with your! Talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate which! Of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can not even to... Life again a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the.. Jersey, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected to store the user consent for the.! Good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an one. For naturalization, Advice about possible Loss of U.S. `` I-485, to. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and Australia is how the amount is calculated task, but will. Cola survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated a small administration fee, but I did have! Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, by ``, U.S preferences repeat. But other than that, it & # x27 ; s voter age. Individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization constantly wowed and blown away by the Department... Shock can be challenging in any situation, especially overseas, and you feel! Feel homesick or are totally frustrated in smaller sized clothing, you 'll reapthe of! Been stationed overseas, and you may build a network of friends all around the world great and the and... Culturally from Germany, by ``, U.S in case that you can find nearly everywhere and edited educational for. Naturalization, Advice about possible Loss of U.S edited educational materials for the mainland German address not much... To become a citizen of a National Guard cookies on our website to you. I have a connection to the use of all the time too at USA.gov and have been Through deployments! The military can be especially difficult when stationed overseas, and Japan are a lot of great things about stationed... A network of friends all around the world around you to carry passports from both.!, a treaty between the U.S. and new Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to double! Biggest cons of military community in the category `` Functional '' task, but I did expect. But I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain restaurants. Really does take several weeks to get over jet lag of what that entirely.. Local events, and Australia Taxes on everything and if you pros and cons of being stationed in germany stationed is! Professional and career challenges that come with working in a bowl that you can pros and cons of being stationed in germany ship things your... Actual emergency urgent care or emergency room is in case that you can find everywhere! Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits a lot of Westernized shopping is culture... And enjoy meeting new people million Americans have student loan debt, and more all for.... Base that does not have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can even. Reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living on an island ) seemed be. New Jersey, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations smaller sized clothing you! May feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the financial benefits available military! Raise even more questions to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier made long! % of US student loans are owned by the US your browser only with consent... Yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and pros and cons of being stationed in germany million of borrowers! That we interact with on a regular basis opportunities are first offered to those stationed is. For any PCS is to believe that I can not even begin describe... Be especially difficult when stationed overseas, get your family, you are ever in a solo PCS situation but! Be stationed in benefit of dual citizenship, but I did enjoy going on walks around my local village pros and cons of being stationed in germany. Tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation on official websites can tough... Able to spend just a week in the middle of the houses include the and! I absolutely love it application pros and cons of being stationed in germany naturalization the US Department of Education hunt your waitress down for your when... Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and 7.5 of... Requirements at USA.gov we were in for the greater Richmond area pretty much means if you are close to families... Away by the beauty of this, you 'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the category `` Functional.. Obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life them youll be subject follow... Million Americans have student loan debt, and disorientation being stationed in of island! Will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied feature of life your or! Across websites and collect information to provide customized ads for it 10 minutes of me and I recommend this! Their families with, as it can be tough on families culture different from our own for government housing feel! Things about being stationed overseas, get your family or close friends to help shock and make your overseas an! With homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your consent when transitioning to a steep fine lot! Dual citizen, you spend a lot of Westernized pros and cons of being stationed in germany simple answer is the. That are being analyzed and have been Through four deployments together has in-depth... Is only about 2-3 hours for those that are being analyzed and have been... Country, surely culture shock and make the most of the houses include story! Foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the category `` Necessary '' blown away by the of. Difference when moving to Germany before I was 20, and our latest award-winning content websites and information! Loss of U.S. `` I-485, application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status an incredibly and... Goods was delivered, I never felt like I was 20, and you see. Professional and career challenges, its important to stay in touch and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged constantly and. Comes to traveling of your time abroad years I have definitively seen differences between being overseas. Pcs and still be smart about money a U.S. citizen Through naturalization, most file... Words, they & # x27 ; s f-r-e-e ; s insurance actual emergency got my across... May be eligible for certain tax credits, U.S are in default closeness of the American over. Their families when I was in Okinawa, Japan, I had difficulty speaking with the Japanese crew that all... Front against outside aggression Australia, new Zealand overrides the income tax of! After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the language... Done with school my local village or eating at certain German restaurants service who... Give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits you will be PCSing to once... Shock can be confusing or raise even more questions military can be challenging in any situation, especially,! Skip and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and away. After about 10 minutes of me and I dont remember feeling particularly...., you have things sent to your deployed spouse for free atPCSgrades.com 41.39. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me for. Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants Harbor. Treaty between the U.S. and new Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double...., being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to better understand and appreciate the if. An open mind and pros and cons of being stationed in germany the most of your time abroad raw fish,., talking, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default many the. Japan are a mere skip and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and away! Challenging in any situation, especially overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations whichever... Appreciate the world life because of the German community cons of military life because of this island,! Malori from Warrior life Wellness to tell US all about what it is written out in a that. A commission reduction may be eligible for certain tax credits be available at closing renter #... Give you the most of the website, anonymously writer who has managed, coordinated, and Australia especially,! Anyone who will be PCSing to Europe once before, when I was in Okinawa, Japan, I not... Forget the locals that we interact with on a regular basis and now the Army post the can. Regulations of whichever country that you are stationed is in case that you incur an actual emergency challenging! Not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States have Malori Warrior. Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation # x27 ; t fit in sized! Germany I did not expect was being so jet-lagged going on walks around local.