--- title: 12 Lessons I Learned from Living Overseas description: An overseas PCS is an exciting time, but also an opportunity for learning! You might find you learn some unexpected lessons. image: https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Military_Travel_Discounts_1.png --- [![MilitaryByOwner](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/MilitaryByOwner_February2020/Images/logo_header.png)](https://www.militarybyowner.com/) Member Login - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) # 12 Lessons I Learned from Living Overseas ![Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Jen%20square%20profile.png) ## [Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/jen-mcdonald) April 20, 2022 - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) - [**](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) [PCS Moves](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/topic/pcs-moves) ## 12 Lessons I Learned from Living Overseas Like many military families, the first time we received [overseas PCS orders](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/planning-your-overseas-pcs/), we immediately began asking questions about the many practical aspects involved in moving our household of six. While the military does an extraordinary job with planning and executing overseas moves (after all, they’ve been doing this a while now!), what I* didn’t* expect was how much living overseas would change my outlook. **Since that first overseas move, we’ve had four overseas assignments in the Pacific and Europe, and we've learned some unexpected lessons. ** ## **1) The fine art of waiting.** **![Several people standing in line. This picture is from the waist down showing legs and feet;.](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/All_images/People/people_in_line_pixabay.jpg?width=900&name=people_in_line_pixabay.jpg)***Image from Pixabay* Electricity out? No worries, it will be on again in a few hours…or perhaps tomorrow. You’ll figure out how to pass the time while you wait in a way that doesn’t involve electronics. Stores close early or aren’t open on Sundays (or any regular hours at all)? Well, that can wait, too. Your driver’s license expired? Well, the mother in me will tell you that you should’ve planned ahead, but get ready to stand in lots of lines to rectify *that *situation*. * ## **2) It’s ok to accept help.** ![A beautiful mountain photo of a main helping a women up the last step. ](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/helping_neighbor.jpg?width=900&name=helping_neighbor.jpg "neighbor helping hand")*Image from Canva* Listen to neighbors willing to clue you in about expectations locally. You shouldn’t mow your lawn on Sundays? It’s rude to honk your horn in Hawaii but expected in Italy to navigate traffic? Don’t have a clue what “quiet hours” entail? ***Ask someone.*** In some cases, locals will tell you if what you’re doing is annoying and not socially acceptable where you’re stationed! You’ll also likely be far from family, which will then make you realize…  ## **3) The importance of community.** **![5 friends taking a selfie with pretty fall trees in the background.](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/overseas_military_friends.jpg?width=900&name=overseas_military_friends.jpg "group military friends")**Image from Canva Whether you live on base or off, the [overseas military community](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/what-an-overseas-sponsor-meant-to-our-military-family) is like nowhere else and a wonderful experience. These will be the people with whom you celebrate birthdays, holidays, and everything in between! They’ll be the ones quick to jump in and help when you’re sick or your spouse is deployed. And when you leave, you’ll miss that. ## **4) From housing to storage to even oven size, you learn to do more with less.** **![military housing tiny oven with a 9 x 13 pan being put inside](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/small_oven_overseas.jpg?width=640&name=small_oven_overseas.jpg "military housing oven") ***Photo from my German kitchen* Downsizing takes on a whole new meaning. I once cooked an entire Thanksgiving dinner in an oven the width of a 9 x 13” pan! (No exaggeration, see photo above!). Your minivan, which is small by U.S. standards, will be like attempting to navigate a bus down some narrow European streets. ## **5) Celebrate differences.** **![9 Hawaiian dancer in blue dresses](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hawaii_hula.jpg?width=900&name=hawaii_hula.jpg "hawaii PCS")***Image from Canva* There’s a lot to learn from our friends around the globe! Some lessons they've taught me: not always being in a hurry, the importance of rest, and respecting local customs. Some American ways I’ve learned to cherish are friendliness, openness, and the willingness to try new experiences. ## **6) ****The food! The food! The food!** ![german bakery showing bread, rolls and pretzels](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/All_images/Blog_header_images/12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%201.jpg?width=900&name=12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%201.jpg)*Image from Canva* Take a chance on something new. Foods I didn't grow up with are now counted among some of my favorites: fresh brötchen, schnitzel, lumpia, Riesling, Kalua pork, pancit, pho….now I’m hungry! Don’t even get me started on the cheese possibilities. Be adventurous! ## **7) Get out there!** **![Woman sitting on a rock overlooking a large city with a sunset in the foreground](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dollarphotoclub_63271408.jpg?width=900&name=Dollarphotoclub_63271408.jpg)***Image from Canva* My husband was deployed during our last year in Germany. It was tempting to hunker down and stay within the cocoon of our military community, but we knew we had borrowed time for travel before the next PCS. We took advantage of our location and [USO travel resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/3-big-reasons-to-love-military-travel/) to make plenty of trips and hit 13 countries, covering more ground during that time than some people we knew who’d been there for years! And when were stationed in Guam, we shopped around for a budget-friendly family vacation package to Australia. While you're globetrotting, be on the lookout for [military travel discounts.](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/make-the-most-of-your-vacation-with-military-travel-discounts) ## **8) "Island fever" is real.** **![Beach sand and shallow water with the the word "SOS" written in the sand ](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/military_island_fever.jpg?width=900&name=military_island_fever.jpg "military island fever")**Image from Pixabay We’ve been stationed on two different tropical islands, and yes, having only a handful of square miles to navigate on a regular basis can begin to wear on you. There will be no road trips! But don’t plan on complaining about it to anyone on the mainland, who will remind you that you live in paradise. Instead, commiserate with those in the same boat and make some travel plans to get away for a bit, and then come back and relish the sand between your toes. ## **9) But so are Christmas markets.** ![A little girl in a purple jacket and pink hat holding a cup of hot chocolate with a Christmas market in the background](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/All_images/Blog_header_images/12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%202.jpg?width=900&name=12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%202.jpg)*Image from Canva* Christkindlmarkts are open-air street markets running from the end of November leading up to Christmas in Germany and some neighboring countries. Make a point of experiencing at least one if you’re nearby. You’ll find unique handcrafts for sale, traditional Christmas items, as well as wonderful food like sausages, crepes, traditional Gluhwein (hot mulled wine), and more from vendors. I just had a rush of memory smells, thinking about the Christmas markets! ## **10) Living overseas is not always glamorous.**  ![a man with a neck pillow riding on a bus](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/All_images/Blog_header_images/12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%203.jpg?width=900&name=12%20lessons%20living%20overseas%203.jpg)*Image from Canva* While it’s an absolutely wonderful experience to live overseas, it can also be exhausting. If you don't know the language well, you may miss making small talk and feel stupid and left out at times... and you'll come to appreciate those who can speak more than one language. From dealing with obscure local ordinances to navigating a healthcare system while ill even to everyday activities like driving, little tasks can turn into big chores by the time you get through the language and cultural barriers, never mind if you have an extended family emergency. And if you need to take a break from it all and binge watch Netflix or make a long video call back home, that is ok! ## **11) ****America is big.** **![wide open road with a semi driving along](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dollarphotoclub_61769148.jpg?width=900&name=Dollarphotoclub_61769148.jpg "wide open road")***Image from Dollar Photo Club* We visited family in Texas during one holiday season overseas and couldn't stop commenting how ***big*** everything was: roads, food portion sizes, everything. When we moved back to the U.S. and I needed to purchase a simple allergy pill, I felt completely overwhelmed by the wall of choices at Walmart. Remembering those larger than life feelings helps me appreciate what others who move to the U.S. must feel like. ## **12) Take advantage of the opportunities presented.** **![man and woman with their arms around each other. The man is carrying a map and the woman is wearing a backpack.](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Military_Travel_Discounts_1.png?width=900&name=Military_Travel_Discounts_1.png "miitary travel discount")***Image from Canva* If you took a poll of graduating seniors, I’d be willing to wager that "traveling the world" would be in their top few goals. When you start to get homesick or tired of the experience, remind yourself that you’re living someone else’s dream. While I’ve barely scratched the surface of life overseas, know that it will pass by too quickly and before you know it, you’ll have another page or two in your military life scrapbook. **Headed to another country? Download our free resource below for your overseas PCS move. ** **[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/131168/bcf856b4-cb1b-4736-9b66-9f0ff4fd1d02.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/131168/bcf856b4-cb1b-4736-9b66-9f0ff4fd1d02)** ![12 Lessons from living overseas overlayed on a photo of a gorgeous canal with five boats on the side and row homes on the bank of the canal](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social_Media_Images/Pinterest%20Images/12%20Lessons%20from%20living%20overseas.jpg?width=600&name=12%20Lessons%20from%20living%20overseas.jpg) #### SHARE THIS ARTICLE - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/12-lessons-i-learned-from-living-overseas) ![Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Jen%20square%20profile.png) #### Author ## [Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/jen-mcdonald) Jen McDonald is the Content Editor for MilitaryByOwner Advertising, where she manages the team of in-house and guest writers and creates resources that help military families navigate PCS moves, homeownership, renting, and military life. Originally trained as a registered nurse, she transitioned into publishing in 2008 and joined MilitaryByOwner in 2014. She also holds professional editing and marketing certifications, including credentials from the Poynter Institute, ACES (American Copy Editors Society), and HubSpot. As an Air Force spouse for over 30 years, Jen has spent much of her adult life moving between duty stations, managing deployments, and raising four children around the globe. She draws on those experiences to encourage and inform military families through her writing and speaking. Jen is the award-winning author of *You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse* and *Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories*. She also produced and hosted the Milspouse Matters podcast for five years, sharing stories and resources with military spouses worldwide. Her writing has earned numerous honors, including a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America and a Silver Award from Foreword INDIES. Now settled in Texas, Jen is writing her debut cozy mystery series, enjoying time with her grandchildren, and appreciating a season of life that doesn't involve unpacking moving boxes every few years. Connect with Jen at [jen-mcdonald.com](https://jen-mcdonald.com/) and on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jenmcdonaldwriter), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jenmcdonald88/), and [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/jenmcdonald88/). ### OPT IN for our WEEKLY newsletter To be honest, we don’t do much outbound marketing. So if you give us your email, we’re unlikely to spam you. 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