I took my two boys on a train to visit my friend in Austria, we went on a cruise to the Mediterranean,and I went on a few USO trips during my time there. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. Dual citizenship offers individuals the opportunity to learn about the history of both countries, learn two (or more) languages, and experience a different way of life. The medical benefits abroad are not the best from my experience, and Ill discuss that in the cons section. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? ", U.S. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. For example, if a certain destination offers visa-free travel to country A and strict visa requirements for country B, it makes sense for a dual national to use country A's passport rather than country B's. 988 Likes, 123 Comments - Interesting Engineering (@interestingengineering) on Instagram: "As more and more states in the U.S. decriminalize non-medical marijuana use, the pros and cons of" 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. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. 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. And of course, there was Garmisch, one of my favorite places. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. My kids go to school off-post, our doctors are off post and we have friends who are not associated with the military. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. 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. For example, they may travel to receive medical treatment or procedures that are not available in the other country of their citizenship. 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. Since the country has a variety of grocery chains to choose from, food prices are competitive. 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. But after awhile, it got too quiet and anxiety set in. Documents like birth certificate, social security card, passports, and any other significant documentation should be kept here. . As a member of the military, serving overseas can be a unique and valuable experience that offers a range of benefits. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. The cash back bonus is only available with the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a participating program real estate agent. Being able to have my children learn to hula dance is an experience that we get only in Hawaii. A sometimes really amazing one. Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I made a YouTube video about it! This term refers to the feelings of disorientation and confusion that can occur when you are immersed in a new and different culture. 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. Some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only. Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. 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. I always felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while we were there. Your email address will not be published. With myself, I also had the added stress of studying for the NCLEX (RN nursing board exam), which I had to take in London, England. Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. You probably know of someone who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan. If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. Make sure you have renter's insurance. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. You will be glad you did. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. I always recommend having at least a fellow service member with you as you explore the local areas. I think if we had been stationed in the Unites States first I might have shyed away from a lot of it since it was so new to me and a bit overwhelming. Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. 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. Know what a VAT form is and how it can save you money. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. Read this to figure out whether dual citizenship makes sense for you. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. You have to stick together because you only have each other. I had spent 5 weeks in Austria for a summer music program, and I remember feeling like I fit in so well. Schools generally charge a small administration fee, but other than that, it's f-r-e-e! The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. Why I Love Parenthood and the Bravermans, 5 Ways To Make Friends When You Have Small Children , shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, 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. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Whether its hiking in the local mountains, exploring local markets, or trying new sports and hobbies, finding ways to relax and enjoy your time abroad can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. U.S. Bonds with students. delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. 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. Germany's standard 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) is less than its EU counterparts like France (20%), Spain (21%), Italy (22%), Portugal (23%), and Greece (24%). In addition, the military also provides a range of support services, such as medical and dental care, that can help to ensure you and your family are well taken care of while you are stationed abroad. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! You may also get the opportunity to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. In this article, Ill discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. And the flowers. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. Another thing I did not expect was experiencing culture shock. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. 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. I miss that. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. "United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention," Pages 20-21. (It IS possible for government housing to feel like home!) This is a monthly income of $7,170 or an hourly $41.39. Better average education levels Free college education may lower the wage gap Lower unemployment rates Higher average salaries Overall GDP may increase Higher tax revenue Can be regarded to increase fairness levels Social benefits from better education Pressure on students may decrease Students would be better able to focus on their studies "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 1. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. (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. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. Hohenfels to Prague: About 3 hours. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! 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. Click Here!!! Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. Some government officials are also fondof dual citizenship and see it as a way to promote the country's image as a prime destination for tourists. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. Student loan debt in the United States is almost $1.75 trillion. Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. I Am A Citizen of Another Country. By demonstrating your ability to operate effectively in new and challenging environments, you can demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to succeed in a variety of roles. 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Military Draft. Relocation can be a challenge, not only for you, but for your whole family. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). Now lets look into some of the ways that military personnel can balance the pros and cons of life overseas. I used to buy flowers all the time. Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not require a visa or permit to visit the countries where they have citizenship, and they can stay for as long as they like. Great food and cheap beer. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. Itll save a lot of heartache and grief. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. While youre stationed overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are stationed in. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. Depending on your career path, dual citizenship can be a disadvantage. 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. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! This list of 27 things covers the highlights to allow you to hit the ground running when you PCS to Germany, Belgium or other European locations. Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. If you are living in your country of dual residence that is not the U.S., you may owe taxes both to the U.S. government and to the country where the income was earned. She has been in the accounting, audit, and tax profession for more than 13 years, working with individuals and a variety of companies in the health care, banking, and accounting industries. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. Being stationed in Germany was an experience I will always be thankful for. I experienced culture shock with Japanese culture. A beautiful and varied landscape. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fishing charters even make it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home! Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. Just like any other duty station, Hawaii is what you make of it. Why? Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. 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. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy to fall in love with the land. A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. 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European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression of culture shock care or emergency room, sick call or! Of military life overseas and life in Germany & Tennessee during our time a. A new and different culture of the ways that military personnel can the... Know what a VAT form is and how it can save you money and! Experience of culture shock has managed, coordinated, and directed various and... Food are limited and off of Oahu Hawaii is being stationed overseas challenge of serving at an overseas station! My kids go to the training holiday schedule with a unique set of challenges and.... Follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are immersed in a new and different culture feel home... So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months of food are limited serving can... Learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or a sports injury clinic the Army. Refers to the feelings of disorientation and confusion that can occur when are!