Get ready to enjoy your tea and crumpets; you're moving to England! Although thinking all British locals drive mini coopers and drink tea while munching on crumpets is a stereotype, some things are true about moving to England.
The U.S. Armed Forces in Europe require that U.S. servicemembers and dependents comply with host-nation child safety seat laws. According to the European Commission, member states must enforce child safety seat laws with the minimum requirements.
Turn your permanent change of station into a trip full of memories by making sure you hand carry important items. Keep those irreplaceable items with you — not with the mover. Don't forget anything. Double-check it, and then check it again.
Congratulations! Your orders are in, and you have one of the military's coveted "good deals": Hawaii, Germany, Japan. Your friends are jealous as you imagine all kinds of travel, food, and new adventures.
Adjusting to moving abroad can be especially difficult for spouses who have left respected careers, business networks and emotional support of friends and family.
Between the jetlag, sleep-deprived family members and for some, anxious pets, the journey to your new overseas duty station is perhaps not as organized as it ought to be. Ideally, this would never happen, but let’s be real. PCSing to another country is stressful and often times difficult.
“My English is under the pig!” you hear your German neighbor say one day when you’re outside enjoying a moment of spring sunshine before it unexpectedly begins hailing. “That’s April weather,” your neighbor remarks.
When we received our first overseas assignment, we knew that there would be a lot of differences between our host nation’s culture and our own. Do we take our shoes off in our neighbor’s house? Do we bring them a welcome gift, or do they bring one to us?
Moving comes with many decisions, but one of the most important will be deciding whether you would like to live on or off post. Housing options are different depending on where your next assignment brings you, but there are a few things you should consider while making your decision.
Ready to learn German? Local nationals will appreciate that you are attempting to speak their native language. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Salutations
As exciting as living in Europe can be, the honeymoon phase tends to fade away for most spouses once they’ve realized how difficult it can be to progress in their career field.
Miss shopping state-side at all your favorite stores? Being in another country, you may not be able to easily pick up your favorite pair of jeans which you can only get at that particular store. Thanks to shipping, receiving a piece of home has been made easier than ever before.
Living in England has its perks — stunning castles and palaces, rolling green hills and beautiful countryside, only being a stone’s throw from London, and of course, not having to learn a completely new language as an adult.
Admiring the beautifully handcrafted items for sale at another European fest, a gorgeous piece of Polish pottery catches my eye. Immediately, the bright colors and intricate patterns take me back to my mom’s kitchen.
