Thanks so much to LeAnna Brown for this guest post!
Living in Europe for the past five years as a contractor with the US Army, I have had what most people would call a “Dream Life.” I’ve learned to budget travel and travel hack, so we get to travel extensively and all over the world, not just Europe! I’ve danced on the tables at Oktoberfest, I’ve climbed all 1710 step of the Eiffel Tower and I’ve cliff dived into the blue ocean in Croatia, to name a few adventures.
I started shopping at the local grocery store the first week I moved to Germany and I’ve taken advantage of just about every 4-Day Weekend we’ve had to go somewhere new. So, I’ve learned a thing or two about living life abroad while being stationed overseas.
However, I found that there were SO many military members, spouses and families that were sitting on Post not ever leaving…and then complaining that life was horrible here in Europe and that they couldn’t wait to move back to the States!
This not only made me sad that they were not seeing the Europe that I was, but was also infuriating me that so many people only DREAM of getting to visit Europe and yet some people that got assigned here were dismissing that opportunity completely.
But then I started to find out WHY some of these people weren’t getting out and exploring
Some were too nervous about buying the wrong items at the store.
Others didn’t like not being able to communicate with the locals.
Many didn’t think that they could afford to travel or site see.
About the Book: So You Got Stationed Overseas: Why you NEED to make TRAVEL a part of your short PCS abroad
So, I took ALL the experience of the 40 countries and 90 new cities I had seen over the past five years, and combined it with stories from local spouses that I collected through research to create the ultimate How- To book for anyone facing an upcoming PCS to Europe, or those already living there!
I help the person stepping off the plane learn to get acquainted with life abroad by slowly dipping your toes into the local culture but giving exact tips and advice on how to do so, like navigating the local grocery stores.
I encourage all the nay-sayers with excuses to drop them out of the plane as you cross the ocean. Therefore, I PROVE how to budget for travel, how to adjust for military schedules and more in order to get out and site-see. But not only do I prove this, I include a workbook with guides that help you do the same.
I then drop resource after resource for people living in Europe looking for ways to budget travel or even those wanting to LEARN how to plan a trip!
This isn’t your typical PCS checklist book and it isn’t your Rick Steves Travel Planning guide either. It is a resource for you, the military member facing that overwhelming OCONUS PCS!
And, as if helping active duty service members isn’t enough, 5% of the books proceeds also is donated towards the Wounded Warrior Project!
You Can Order The Book on Amazon HERE.
Know someone who is PCSing to Europe? Share this invaluable resource with them so that they can take advantage of their time abroad!
Are you facing an OCONUS PCS? What fears or questions do you have? Sometimes it is just a matter of getting them answered before you can have the time of your life!
About the Author
LeAnna Brown currently helps fellow travelers learn how to travel on a tight budget and Travel Hack through her blog EconomicalExcursionists.com. After almost 40 countries down in four years and only a few thousand dollars spent a year on travel, they have learned to penny pinch their way to a bare minimalist lifestyle to help them see and appreciate the world.
You can get daily dosages of travel tips and motivation by “Liking” Economical Excrusionists on Facebook or follow her on twitter @EconExcursion.
Other articles written by LeAnna that may interest you:
Travel Hacking for Beginners: http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/travel-hacking-beginners-guide/
15 Ways to Pinch Pennies for Future Travel: http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/save-for-a-vacation/#.VdB0ivmqqko
If you would like to learn more about traveling for FREE through Travel Hacking (using points for free flights and hotels), check out the Free E-Course offered by the Economical Excursionist.
Leave a Reply