Foreign wife, having some issues with getting established. Any advice?

2015-10-23T12:45:14-04:00

Are any of you in the same boat. I am currently trying to help my wife get established in the American and Army Cultures. Any advice, such as employment, groups, etc. She speaks elementary English, but is still learning.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 23 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-10-23T12:49:18-04:00

wives clubs
introduce her to some of your co-workers wives.
go places
are classes offered on base?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-10-23T13:00:17-04:00

What is her ethnic background? There might be a Meetup in your area that would assist her in acclimating.

Also, check with your local library, they may have English conversation groups for those for whom English is a second (or subsequent) language.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 23 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-10-23T13:28:01-04:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member - The other spouses in your unit should help her assimilate. She may be shy about joining them, but you should encourage it. Talk to your unit commander and seek his/her assistance, s well as your fellow officers.

Most installations and the communities they are located in have large populations of foreign wives and most have clubs, organizations and, in some cases, church groups that cater to them. Don't be shy about seeking them out.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 23 at 2015 1:34 PM

2015-10-23T13:34:32-04:00

Try to find wives of the same ethic background.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Oct 23 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-10-23T13:59:00-04:00

You are on the right track as you already stated American culture and Army culture. We have a lot of sub cultures in the US. In my view it is about exposure and immersion with the language, culture, people, holidays, traditions and so on.

Employment. My wife is Hungarian and a former English teacher in Hungary. Before she was a US citizen she volunteered at ACS twice per week. Its better than doing nothing and it can be used in a resume. Now she tutors Hungarian on post here in Anchorage.

One of the best ways to learn a language is to go out and do it. There is also Duolingo http://www.duolingo.com as an option for learning language. I use it for Italian and my kids for Spanish.

Groups are a plus. We have many circles of friends here in Alaska. One of them my wife calls the Hungarian Club (non-military). They can cook some serious dishes when its party time. But the best is these ladies cracked the code from their Hungarian lances into the American culture.

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Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Oct 23 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-10-23T19:04:10-04:00

If you are overseas there are usually spouse groups who provide a lot of support and orientation. I'd also suggest having her watch AFRTS to learn military culture. If you are in the States there are civilian ESL classes offered at night and Family Services might have some programs. Also, there are computer assisted learning programs like Rosetta Stone or free apps like Duo Lingo that can really boost language skills.

Response by Julianne Poor made Oct 31 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-10-31T16:54:18-04:00

You should have a key spouse in your unit or something similar. Contact them and introduce your wife. They will be your best resource for activities on base, available classes, spouse get togethers, etc. Also you might check into Facebook and see if there is a spouse group page for her to join. The best info I get is from mine here about everything in the area from restaurants to hair salons. Congratulations to you both and welcome to her.