In general, U.S. policy recognizes that dual citizens might be legally obligated to fulfill military obligations abroad, and many can do so without jeopardizing their U.S. citizen status, but it is important to research each situation carefully. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. The shortest path to becoming a dual citizen is through birth, either by having parents with dual citizenship or by being born in a country with birthright citizenship. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! It creates a more influential economic block. My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. 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 Am Married to a U.S. 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. Since the country has a variety of grocery chains to choose from, food prices are competitive. I would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. On one hand, it offers the opportunity to serve your country, see the world, and expand your horizons. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. If you have any kind of health issues, it's covered no questions asked. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. Serving overseas also offers financial benefits. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. All of this creates a pretty tight community. 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 ", Internal Revenue Service. The Big Island is my favorite and taking a helicopter tour over a live volcano is near the top of my all-time best experiences list! Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. The government typically will. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Military Draft. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. 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. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. Approximately 92% of US student loans are owned by the US Department of Education. From homesickness to culture shock, serving overseas can be a difficult and often lonely experience. Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. A beautiful and varied landscape. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. This can be especially useful if you spend a long time in an off-post hotel. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. Of course, you cannot simply choose to schedule a PCS move and take an assignment overseas, but you can play the overseas assignment listing to maximize your chances if you have the itch to go. I Am A Citizen of Another Country. In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. Please let me know if you would like to guest post about where you are stationed! Hello You Designs. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. Plus, if it happens to be raining on your part of the island, just take a short drive to the other side, where you can usually find sunshine. 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. There just doesnt seem to be the same type of experience where we are in the US. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. 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. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. 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. They have cut you off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the US. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. I love to travel but it can be hard to do on a limited budget with small children. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. Cost of living in Germany + PRO: Low cost of living Overall the cost of living in Germany is on par with the rest of Western Europe. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. Dual citizenship happens automatically in some situations, such as when a child is born in the U.S. to parents who are residents of a foreign country. What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? Air Force COOL Program: Credentialing Opportunities, 2023 Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment, 2A5X1 Airlift and Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance, Pros and Cons of Being Stationed Overseas: Military Perspective. Many of my friends found their future wives in the foreign country that they were stationed in. According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. However, visiting Europe, even for an extended trip, is much different than coming here to live. Many fun things to do. 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. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. And the flowers. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. Because dual citizenship is complex and the rules and laws regarding citizenship vary between different countries, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified expertsincluding accountants and lawyersabout certain purchases or decisions related to employment and your finances. 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. All rights reserved. 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. While having a positive attitude about any PCS is important, its equally important to have realistic expectations. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. 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. There are many historical sites all over the islands that date back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. On the other hand, it can bring homesickness, culture shock, and professional difficulties. 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. You are not rushed out in the same way. That was another thing that kinda stopped me in my tracks. Share. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. 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. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. 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). 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. The cash back bonus shall not exceed the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. Most military members are not going to have much of a say in where they get stationed, but when building your dream sheet you can read the pros and cons and decide on what overseas duty locations that youd like to try out. A friend of mine who had passed a DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the American Embassy. Fishing charters even make it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home! Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $51.42 and a monthly income of $8,910. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. "Fee Schedule," Pages 4, 12. I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. 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. It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. 6. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. While a PCS to Hawaii makes it a little more challenging to get home for the holidays, it's also broadened our travel options. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. Facts To Know About Social Security Numbers. 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. Although this part of living there was frustrating at times, it really opened my mind to a different way of life and seeing the world. 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. I hope that you can find support for your own deployments, PCS moves, or anything else military life brings you , Copyright 2023 Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life on the Foodie Pro Theme. Dual citizens can receive the benefits and privileges offered by each country where they are a citizen. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. 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. "Dual Nationality. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. 1. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. Featured Content Hult International Business School Student 5 Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. 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. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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%). Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. Reliable, punctual people. 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. While in as much as 30 countries, abortion is legalized, remaining countries have partial restrictions or complete ban on abortion, unless life of the mother is at stake. We could also walk to anywhere on post. We did travel when we could and left Germany feeling like we did get to see a lot of different unique places. In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. The research indicates when a young adult feels unjustly targeted, they will resist the implied injustice and act to regain control, meaning they will not comply. Relocation can be a challenge, not only for you, but for your whole family. As you can see there are a lot of great things about being stationed in Germany. In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. July 5, 2021 by Megan Voegele Leave a Comment. Consider David Davenport's con argument, including that other laws (governing activities such as driving, drinking, and smoking) have increased ages instead of lowering them based on the immaturity of teenagers. For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. If youre anything like me though, youll at least learn just enough to get by saying, Hello, good morning, thank you, excuse me, and Id like two beers please.. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. Moderate cost of living. I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! From taking a day trip to a castle to planning a post-deployment vacation to some amazing city you never thought you would ever travel to in your lifetime. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. A sometimes really frustrating one. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. 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. Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. Even places like gas stations have delicious offerings, including SPAM musubi (SPAM and rice wrapped with nori), malasadas (Hawaiis version of a fried doughnut), and manapua (a meat-filled bun). DM This is similar to a Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a pharmacy. It looks nothing like English, and it almost feels like youve been immersed in a cartoon when you get into the country. Having to depend on the military for almost everything gave me a good idea of what the Army life was like. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Pros and Cons of Globalization. She recently PCSed with her family from Germany to Belgium and back again. 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. Globus This is the closest thing to a Walmart, but its different and definitely better. What Are the Advantages of the EU? Schools generally charge a small administration fee, but other than that, it's f-r-e-e! One of the biggest cons of military life overseas is the homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends. The torturous inner dialogue within ourselves is, Do I look, or do I wait?. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. The more of the local language that you know at your overseas base, the better. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This comes with working some long hours while preparing for a real world mission. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I craved quiet time. So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. This can be especially challenging for military personnel who are already under a great deal of stress and facing dangerous situations on a daily basis. 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. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. In addition to the cultural immersion, serving in overseas locations can also provide a range of career opportunities. Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens. 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! Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return?". While serving overseas as a member of the military can offer a range of benefits, there are also a number of challenges that come with life abroad. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. 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. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. 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. Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Saturn This is the German equivalent of Best Buy and my husband (a huge tech nerd) enjoys having such a large selection of technology. Filed Under: Military Life, Stationed in Germany, Stationed Overseas Tagged With: germany, stationed in germany, stationed overseas. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Island hopping is a fantastic option for travel in Hawaii as well, and 4-day weekends are the perfect opportunity! 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! Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. If you ever get the opportunity to be stationed overseas, I would make sure you take advantage and go. 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. Click Here!!! Please check with a program Customer Service Representative for details. U.S. 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. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. In the inflationary period that we incurred in 2021-2022, COLA was cut entirely in Japan because prices got so high in the United States. 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. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. Why? A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. But my pride got the best of me and I struggled big time with adjusting. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . Nationality and Foreign Military Service, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters, United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention, IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023, I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ", The New Zealand Government. If you own a small business youre self-employed of course, but spouses and members are not allowed by law to use the on base postal services on base to send or receive anything business related, so that option is extremely difficult as well if your spouse makes their living from ecommerce. 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. The time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them. Get involved with your base and sit in on classified briefings to get a better understanding of whats going on with your base and how you contribute to the real world mission. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. Great weather. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. 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. 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. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.)
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