The pros of living in Germany definitely outweigh the cons. One will be in something called "unaccompanied baggage" and the other will be in your actual "household goods" shipment. Why Germans benefit from the EU | KfW Stories EU student can work a total of 20 hours in a week and Non-EU students are allowed to work 120 full (8 hours) 240 half (4 hours) day per year to cover all your additional expenses. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Without the protection of Roe V. Wade, what does the future of family planning look like for military families? If youre thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family. Where can I apply for a visa for Germany? We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. From fruits and veggies to furniture, Germany has a lot to offer. Only in Europe, baby! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. And then he got orders to Germany. The work environment, however, will depend entirely on the culture of the company. 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. Won't be eligible to use the military medical and/or dental care services. Cash is still a super common thing. Shopping on the economy will enhance your experience overseas. I met my wife there, she is German. Ive met people who have had to wait up to 6 weeks to get an internet connection at home. I love this! And when you shop in your local town, you get to know the people who live there. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Expectation Management The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. Do I need to explain any more? 1 // JBLM is massive - When I say it's massive, I mean it. 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. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. Take advantage of the goodwill of this person to get the real scoop on the location you are soon to call home. I was able to pick up on some words and phrases, which was super helpful. Working in Germany comes with a good work-life balance. To cover them, students are allowed to work part-time while pursuing a full-time course. Army "brat" here, Germany is the shit. A great pick-me-up is finding a new place to visit during each months 4-day weekend! Related Guide: Unemployment Benefits in Germany. Just as in any big city, one needs to have some common sense when exploring it: dont walk alone in shady neighborhoods, dont leave your belongings unattended, etc. Don't be afraid to speak with Italians. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! When you are being transferred overseas, most branches of the service will assign one to you. According to the DAAD, living costs for a student in Germany are, on average, 850 euros a month. . Try to keep an open mind: Unlike the last PCS, you aren't moving a couple states over. Sunday is a day of rest, quiet, and peace. It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! Firing people in Germany is not like we see it in the US movies, where one day you arrive at the office, your boss fires you, you pack your things, and walk out of the building with a box filled with your belongings. 38 Pros and Cons of Living in Germany in 2023 - Simple Germany Gas is around $4.20 a gallon these days and a debit card-like system is used. The Finer Points of Moving Overseas, Part I, By But after awhile, it got too quiet and anxiety set in. PCSing to Europe, What I Know Now - Military in Germany Hamsters, gerbils, snakes, birds and other animals are out of luck here. But, aswith any destination, life in Germany comes with certain prosand cons. We were told we were going to be there doing one mission and one mission only. I did three tours in Germany, and one in the South pacific at a place called Johnston Atoll. 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. Finer Point #3: Less is more when it comes to your household goods shipment. In some companies, Germans will sit in front of their screen and work all morning, take a lunch break, keep working in the afternoon, and leave at 5 pm. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. You consider your dog or your cat an important part of your family. Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. If your names are not on those orders, your spouse is in for an 'unaccompanied' tour, however. Another thing I did not expect was experiencing culture shock. Bread is just as good. All Rights Reserved. (Your mileage may vary). Pro #1 Efficient Public Transportation, Pro #6 A Lot Of Green Areas In Cities, Pro #8 Same-Sex Marriages Are Recognized, Pro #14 Able To Drink Alcohol In Public, Con #4 Getting Internet At Home Can Be A Long Painful Process, Con #5 Flats Are Rented Without A Kitchen, Con #7 Traditional Food Is Generally Fatty, Con #9 Tough To Find Movies In Their Original Language In Cinemas, Con #10 Contracts Are Long And Hard To Get Out Of, Con #12 Doctors And Banks Have Funky Opening Hours, An Introduction to the German School System, Vacation Days In Germany [A Detailed English Guide], The German Autobahn [A Detailed Guide For First-Timers], Renting in Germany [A Detailed Guide in English]. Some bases have nothing around them and other have major cities. This is without a doubt the best assignment I have ever had. Before the movers show up on your doorstep, make sure any professional books, papers and equipment are separated and noted as such. A typical German is actually required to take a class that costs thousands of dollars, is hundreds (yes, as in 300+) hours of classwork and driving practice and pass a difficult test in order to receive a drivers license. . Traveling in Germany and Europe is super easy. benefits of being stationed overseas - code-usa.com Time will pass and you will be back in the US before you know it, so make sure your family makes plans to visit you when they can. 8 good reasons to work as a nurse in Germany | I Work Overseas Blog: https://www.warriorlifewellness.com YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/c/MaloriMayor14Instagram link: http://instagram.com/warriorlifewellnessFacebook link: http://www.facebook.com/warriorlifewellnessEtsy shop: http://bit.ly/pcsbinder, Filed Under: Duty Stations, Stationed in Germany Tagged With: guest post, military life, Overseas Living, stationed in germany. As the rental prices already include bills and utilities, the service is ideal for students, expats, and remote workers who want to rent out without any additional paperwork. So my first piece of advice, for anyone moving overseas, is to give yourself plenty of time to adjust and sleep. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Overall the cost of living in Germany is on par with the rest of Western Europe. To me, this is a pro, as it forces us to take some time to rest and recharge. Click Here!!! June 14, 2022. Every single move we've had, there has been a mistake in what money we received back from the government to pay for the move, lodging and food. 1. Thus the last "war" for which active duty is qualifying for Veterans preference . These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. Wiesbaden is by far the best installation there. Most hospital workers can speak English, so expats wont experience a language barrier. I enjoy it. Since Germany has such a large pool of highly educated workers, competition for top positions can be fierce. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. Everyone brings different things to put on the grill and enjoy a meal together. Get your passport ASAP. Your Sanity? 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. There you have it. But on top of that, we had a new country to explore together. It's expensive, but helps ensure your items are available when you arrive. Below we give you some of the top benefits encountered by expats living in Germany. Its the weekend? If you are looking for an apartment, make sure to check if the kitchen is included. Embrace that. There's a definite glass ceiling in workplaces in Germany that only a few get to break through. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. While you can get by with only knowing English, knowing the language would be a much easier experience for you. Education benefits- (918) 781-5678. Germany has low criminality rates. I extended to stay here another 18 months. Unite and Ignite Virtual Events- Feb. 2022, MSF Unite & Ignite- National Capital Region, MSF Cast- Mental Health Awareness- May 2022, MSF Cast- Milspouse Employment & Entrepreneurs- June 2022, MSF Cast- MilSpouse Education August 2022, MSF Cast- MilKid Education- September 2022, MSF Unite and Ignite- San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Here are the 5 Most Romantic Military Love Stories Youve Never Heard of, MilSpouseFest announces 2023 event schedule featuring military spouse and comedian Ashley Gutermuth, ICYMI: MilSpouseFest returns to Southern California for in-person events. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. Grocery shopping Originally, I thought shopping on Post would be better than shopping in the German Economy. - the fact of being stationed in Germany shall not be considered as periods of residence therein, or as creating a change of residence or domicile, for the purposes of such taxation (in the receiving state). I have experienced some very nice and some very very rude customer service support in Germany. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. benefits of being stationed in germany - krishipatrika.com The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. Old processes and bureaucracy that is so German. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. Don't be an asshole, they will get their entire family to fight you. According to the European Cyclists Federation, Germany ranks as the fifth European country in its Barometer, which looks at bicycle usage, cycling safety, and market size, among other cycling statistics. In other words, Germany is imposing tax (and apparently penalties) on the income earned by US military personnel stationed in Germany. 0. I craved quiet time. Today I bring on my Buddy Daniel (11C) and my Brother Joseph (19D) to talk about what it's like for them being stationed in Vilseck, Germany! All rights reserved. Compared to coastal cities in the US and other major European countries, Germany is relatively affordable. By Sean Kimmons, Army News Service March 30, 2020. You can also just meet a friend after work and have a walk with a beer in your hand, without having to put it in a brown bag or anything. VA Information for Veterans Living Overseas - Military Benefits As an American stationed with the military, you can be exempt from paying this if you have a valid VAT form (you can get these at the ACS (Army Community Services) building on Post.) The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". benefits of being stationed in germany - akersmmm.com Once the initial euphoria you feel over your future sightseeing and world-class shopping escapades has subsided, however, you will still have to deal with The Move, every military spouse's favorite job, right? It's not an ideal first station for younger soldiers. I am a married E5, no kids but 2 dogs. Oh boy, if you are new in town, this one will come as a shocker. 5 Things You Should Do When Stationed in Germany - Milspousefest This is the mother of all moves. This is why we are so happy with an online bank like N26 (our review), which is 100% online and available almost 24/7. So Im happy to meet with Germans and appreciate their punctuality. The same rules for Sunday apply every day after 10 pm. Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. "How is my life going to be miserable today?".