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If your family will accompany you to the United
States, there are other things to consider. Your international
student adviser will be able to advise you in researching
some of the options available for your family in your local
community.
> Schools
for Children
> Child
Care
> Activities
for Spouses
Schools for Children
In the United States, education is the responsibility of each
state. All states require that children attend school from
age six to 16 years, or in some states, until they graduate
from high school. Most schools also have a kindergarten program
for five-year-olds. By U.S. federal law, public schools must
provide education from kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12)
free of charge to all students, both U.S. citizens and noncitizens
who meet the residency rules established by the individual
school district. However, there is one exception. A specific
federal statute bars public schools that teach kindergarten
through 8th grade (K-8) from issuing I-20 forms to students
who wish to obtain F-1 visas to enroll. However, dependents
of adult F-1 visa holders (dependents usually hold F-2 visas)
ARE eligible to enroll in these public schools.
Private day schools charge tuition. Boarding schools charge
tuition, plus room and board. Be sure to bring copies of your
children's birth certificates in order to enroll them in school.
It is also a good idea to bring transcripts for the last year
or two of your children's education, as they may assist the
school to appropriately place your children in their new classes.
Talk to the international student adviser about how you can
enroll your children in school.
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Child Care
Various possibilities exist for full-time or part-time child
care. Below are some examples.
Home Day Care: Many women and
teenage girls accept jobs as "baby-sitters" (or
"child minders"), usually caring for infants and
preschool children (five years old and under). Sometimes baby-sitters
come to the family's home to watch the children; sometimes
a parent takes the children to the baby-sitter's home. Sometimes
they will care for school-age children before or after school
as well. Fees vary.
Day Care Centers: Day care centers
may be public centers, run by churches, or privately owned.
Day care centers usually take children who are preschool age
— though not always infants — and sometimes they require that
the children be toilet-trained. Some day care centers also
take school-age children whose parents are at work before
or after the child gets out of school. The parent drops off
and picks up the child at the center. Sometimes the day care
center works with the local school system to organize bus
service to the school. Some day care centers require parents
to give time to help care for the children one or two mornings
or afternoons per week. Fees vary for this type of child care,
but note that day care centers are usually quite expensive
in large cities and metropolitan areas.
Nursery Schools or Preschools:
These private schools are generally open for children three
to five years of age. Most schools hold classes from two to
five days a week, usually in the mornings or in the afternoons.
Besides play activities, children are prepared to enter kindergarten,
usually the first year of schooling in the United States.
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Activities for Spouses
If you are the spouse of an international student, you will
most likely find that keeping busy will help you adjust to
your new home and to be happier there. Though you probably
will not be allowed to work, you may find that this is an
opportunity to discover new interests, improve your English,
or take a few courses that you never quite seem to find time
for. The international student adviser may suggest some of
the following options:
School Parents' Clubs: Most schools
have a Parent-Teacher Association, or PTA, that plays different
roles depending upon the school. During the week, the local
school may appreciate your assistance in the library, in the
school office, or in a classroom. When you register your child
for school, ask about details.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes:
Universities or international centers, local adult education
centers, community colleges, or local community volunteer
programs often offer ESL classes. If you are just learning
English or simply want to become more comfortable with one
or more aspects of the language, this can be the perfect opportunity
to improve your language skills. For more information, see
Short-term Study.
Academic Courses: You may be qualified
to apply for admission as a regular, special, or "auditing"
student at the college or university that your spouse attends.
An auditing student is one who takes class for no credit.
Ask about tuition costs.
Other Courses and Recreation:
Most colleges and universities and some counties or metropolitan
areas offer continuing education courses that do not award
academic credit. The courses provide instruction in a wide
range of subjects, from understanding computers to working
on cars to cooking. Ask the international student adviser
if there are such programs in your community.
Volunteer Work: Hospitals, schools,
day care centers, and other public agencies welcome volunteers'
unpaid assistance. Opportunities are available in many fields.
The yellow pages of the telephone book often has listings
under "Volunteer Services" or "Social Service
Organizations." Otherwise, the university may have a
volunteer office, which will be happy to help place you even
though you are not a student. Alternatively, try searching
on the Internet.
Clubs and Organizations: Many
people enjoy clubs and organizations that focus on a common
interest, such as gardening, cooking, music, drama, knitting,
card playing, or exercise. Ask the international student adviser
or someone at the public library for a list of such organizations.
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