Discover practical tips, real stories, and tools to help you and your family navigate every twist and turn. Whether you’re new to the journey or a seasoned pro, find resources, videos, and calculators to make life abroad easier.
Unofficial, personal project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government. Always check official sources.
Real stories, handy tips, and honest advice from folks who've been there and done that.
Our tools now looks and feel the same, clearer sourcing and explanations, privacy policy updates, and new data. Here is the short tour.
Returning from an overseas posting or new to Northern Virginia? Camp ARL was built by a local FSO spouse to help busy families navigate the complex Arlington camp landscape.
We give you our experience and tips to prepare you for a successful OB MEDEVAC in Singapore. (Spoiler Alert: We loved it!)
Estimate gross and net pay for various posts using 2026 scales.
Estimate K-12 costs for multiple children, compare posts, and demystify DSSR rules.
Estimate Travel Per Diem and Travel Comp Time in an easy-to-use tool