Hi from California!

[blackbettie 0]

Hi everybody!

Haven't posted in quite a while - been so busy! I'm in beautiful Orange County, CA since last saturday and I LOVE to be with my Jonnie again.

First thing I did over here was catching a bad cold because I'm not used to the freezing cold air-conditioned rooms (especially in conrtast to the hot outside). But oh well, I'm on drugs now so the world is good again.

OK, here's my question: since it'll take some time until I'll get my employment authorization, I've been wondering what I could do before that (in case I'll get bored being t home all the time). I considered volunteering somewhere - is that possible with a k-1 visa? Has anybody experiences with volunteer work? In what fields is it most common to volunteer? Do I just approach the companies/ organizations and ask them or is there a place where volunteer jobs are listed?

Thank you!

Sandra

[Sister Fracas 5]

Here ya go...

Volunteer Center of Orange County

Enjoy your new home in the US and I hope you are able to find a volunteer job that is fun! Just make sure you let them know that you are here on a visa, without work authorization at the moment. It's my understanding that you can't volunteer for a postion that can be filled by a paid employee. Someone else should know more about that. But I'd also think the Volunteer Center should also.

[gimygirl 0]

this has been discussed here previously and this was the conclusion:

there cannot be any benefits to the volunteer other than "personal gratification".

an internship is not considered volunteer work. You are gaining experience that can potentially lead to a paid position. you are working, albeit unpaid, rather than volunteering. the skills you gain during the internship are its value.

the work has to be purely volunteer, such as Meals on Wheels. you deliver meals. your reward is feeling good.

[blackbettie 0]

Thank you, frances and gimygirl!!!

[...] your reward is feeling good.

That's more than I got at my last job!

Edited June 14, 2006 by blackbettie

[Sister Fracas 5]

As a volunteer for over 15 years at various organizations...personal gratification should be one of the most important reasons for volunteering...also a sense of giving to the community-at-large.

Volunteering RAWKS!