We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. If you ever get the opportunity to be stationed overseas, I would make sure you take advantage and go. 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. This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. ", Internal Revenue Service. However, visiting Europe, even for an extended trip, is much different than coming here to live. Pinch yourself, because you're not dreaming! Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. 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. "I Am Married to a U.S. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. Whether through texting, phone calls, facetime, email, or even regular letters, staying connected to your support network can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Dual citizenship can also be achieved through specialized legal processes, such as when a foreign national is naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. Oahu is home to the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. 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 Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. 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. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. Here's our easy PCS 101 IRRRL stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan,also known as a "Streamline" or a "VA to VA" loan. But my pride got the best of me and I struggled big time with adjusting. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. Pros and Cons of Globalization. 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. Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". On the other hand, it can bring homesickness, culture shock, and professional difficulties. Deployments can last for months or even years, which can be tough on families. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. Making an effort to keep in touch with loved ones can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation that come with being away from home. The only downside is that youll be expected to do your job first. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. ", U.S. 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. 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. Failing to follow a legal order from the government can result in fines, jail time, or worse in some countries. Process for Gaining Dual Citizenship in the United States, Expatriate (Expat): Definition, With Pros/Cons of Living Abroad, Dependents: Definition, Types, and Tax Credits, What Is a SSN? Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. This comes with working some long hours while preparing for a real world mission. The cash back bonus shall not exceed the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades. These free flights fromJoint Base Pearl Harbor Hickamfly to bases all over the world.Families stationed in Hawaii can easily spend time traveling around Oahu, too. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. Its easy to miss the comfort dishes from home, but being the melting pot that it is, Hawaii offers the opportunity to discover new tastes from around the world! And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. 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. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. Another great thing about living in Germany is being around another culture. In other words, they're going to. 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. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. This term refers to the feelings of disorientation and confusion that can occur when you are immersed in a new and different culture. 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. 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. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. I always felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while we were there. As members of the military we benefit from some tax free entitlements like Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), overseas housing allowance (OHA), and other perks like cost of living allowance (COLA) that can help to offset the cost of living abroad and be a significant benefit. There are many historical sites all over the islands that date back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Whether its practicing yoga, meditating, or taking a hot bath, taking time for yourself can help you manage the stress and demands of military life overseas. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer. Some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only. Click Here!!! One of the biggest benefits of serving overseas is the opportunity to immerse yourself in new and exciting cultures. According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. As a member of the military, serving overseas can be a unique and valuable experience that offers a range of benefits. ", Government of Canada. Approximately 92% of US student loans are owned by the US Department of Education. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. This regular routine helped us stay connected to our family members even though we were on the other side of the world. Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. Our airline tickets back and forth from the east coast of the US to Japan have ranged from 1400 to 1800 for a single round trip ticket and prices are only going up. An experience. Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. Read how to become an expat and the pros and cons. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. 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. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. You will be glad you did. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What Are the Advantages of the EU? Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to adapt to life overseas more easily. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. All content Copyright 2011 MilitaryFamily.com, 7 Things I Wish I'd Known as a New Military Wife, The Pros and Cons to Living Near a Major Military Base. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. Having a citizen's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the purpose of your trip during the customs process. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. A friend of mine who was stationed in Germany PCS'd to Korea and now he travels all over Asia too. Learn everything you need to know here. 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. You may also get the opportunity to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! 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. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Productive economy. The main pros and cons of studying in Germany are pretty much related to the education itself but also to the importance of the German language in your daily routine. They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. 7. Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. I say this as someone who didnt always enjoy being there, that missed the US a lot more than I should have, and who hated being so far away from everything. If you are seeking a position with the U.S government or your job requires access to information that is considered classified by the U.S. government, having dual citizenship may bar you from gaining the security clearance you need for this type of employment. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States? For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. Ever heard of poke? Embrace the journey! They were so cheap. 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. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. Culture shock can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and disorientation. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. For example, in the United States, there are more than a few states where you can't legally pay employees monthly or that limit which employees can be paid monthly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Amelia Josephson Aug 24, 2022. 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. With so many beautiful sites and mouth-watering food options, there really is something for everyone. I experienced culture shock with Japanese culture. Having just a few hours difference made life a lot easier. Being stationed abroad can help you to become more independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a new environment. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. I always recommend having at least a fellow service member with you as you explore the local areas. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 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. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. Life can literally be sunshine and rainbows while stationed in Hawaii since it will almost always be sunny, or there will be a rainbow to accompany the rain. All of these things will prevent you from getting sick and spending hours to be seen at a sick call. However, income tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries serve to effectively reduce or eliminate an individual's tax liability in order to avoid double taxation. Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics. 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. Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. 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. 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). My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! You have to stick together because you only have each other. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. U.S. income Tax return even though I do not live in the US has been blogging about living in is! % of US student loans are owned by the receiving broker to PCSgrades of a... A bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I jump! 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