Plans after POE

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

No worries honey. It's all going to fall into place and be great! I think they all need a little time to adjust. It took me a couple of days in Nigeria just to get over the awe of being in another country and looking around! I just wish American's were as nice as Nigerian's when it comes to greetings. We are so used to seeing many people from other cultures that we don't walk up and say "You are welcome" like many of my brothers and sisters greeted me when I visited Nigeria. So for of our brothers and sisters coming to America let me be the first to extend greetings and say....

YOU ARE WELCOME!

Yes, I hear that one!! And I will second those greetings!....

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

Thank you! I thought that would be fitting since our interview is on Halloween! I've got to take Divine a Hulk mask. I've been looking for one everywhere and the huge Halloween store just opened today! Oh, goodie, goodie!

I think I'm going to wake very early that day, slip on a witch mask while hubby is still asleep and wake him up for interview! hahaha

Oh goodness!!! You are gonna give him a heart attack! Then he will be roaring with laughter afterwards(hopefully)

[TheresaAnn 9]

We don't have a set plan but I was looking at classes at the community college to learn american english in speaking and writing. I also saw differnet kinds of job workshops at the college so my husband will be busy doing the classes while he wait for his ss# and green card.

[Dana and Divine 61]

We don't have a set plan but I was looking at classes at the community college to learn american english in speaking and writing. I also saw differnet kinds of job workshops at the college so my husband will be busy doing the classes while he wait for his ss# and green card.

That's a great plan Abike. Education is always a great way to go to prepare for the future! God bless you both!

[Reyan 56]

My wife is doing the same thing by going to ESL classes, and she met a few close friends.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

It's nice reading all of this

9JAVJ, Class of 2012

Edited September 19, 2012 by Gowon

[codygrace 14]

What about us K-1s that don't have employment authorization? I mean, I'll be busy planning a wedding, and his family is great. But what am I supposed to do when there is downtime?! I'm going to go nuts! I am used so used to going to school full-time and working full-time. These past few months since I've graduated have been rough even with working full-time. I think I'm going to go stir crazy.

[memlaura 60]

That is our plan too my husband wants to continue his education we need to find out how many if any of his classes from his schooling there will be accepted. I ran into a nurse at the hospital my mom was in and she is from Nigeria and said alot of the classes from there are accepted so he is going to see how to get his Masters. He is also going to straighten out our yard lol... That will take him a few weeks right there. I have almost an acre of property and zero time to tend to it I mow the yard every other weekend but weeding and cutting back trees and such not so much. But it makes my husband crazy when I tell him that I am mowing the grass since that it a "man's job" lol. I told him get your butt home and you can have it...

[Miss M 54]

My situation is similar except in this instance, me (beneficiary) had 2 weeks with my husband after POE and then he had to leave for work. He works overseas.

This is what worked for me:

• My immediate priority was a driver's license for independence and because we have 2 small children. My first few weeks here kept me busy with that.
  
• Initially, I joined a gym. I had never even been in a gym before. Ever! It's just not my thing. But it was an outlet for me and gave me something to do while the kids are in school. I also made my first friend there.
  
• Once I felt settled and comfortable, I started looking into school options. I am currently enrolled at a community college taking the general education transfer courses for UC. It has been tough adjusting but it keeps me busy and above all, I am starting to meet new people and make friends.
  
• When my husband is home, he likes to show me around the city, take me places and just help me see more of the city than I would on my own. This has been a huge help.
  

It has only been 9 months and I would never pretend that it has been easy, but as long as you both maintain a positive attitude, remind each other everyday why you took 'the plunge' then you'll come out alright.

Good luck with everything.

Edited September 19, 2012 by MNyarai

[lucybelle 453]

When my boyfriend "lived" with me in the USA I immediately set him up with a volunteer job (was only on a tourist visa at the time), a gym membership, I let him use my car and showed him how to get to key spots or look something up on google maps, we visited my family a lot and went on little weekend trips.

When I moved to my boyfriend here in Costa Rica, he let me get a dog. With the dog I had a reason to get up and get out of the apartment every day. I met people at the dog park. I spent lots of time looking for jobs, lots of time doing paperwork for residency, and I also signed up for Italian classes. We took (still take) lots of weekend trips. Visited family, etc.

Also, internet is a pretty important part. Make sure they have a way to skype home!

Plenty to do!

[lilQueenP 15]

I've been thinking about that too. We'll be moving into a new place (moving out from the place I share with my roommates). Because our wait is a little longer on the K1, my thoughts are that he will be able to work on his English while I'm gone. I'm going to get him plugged in with some people that he can practice with so that when time comes for interviewing & such, he'll be ready.

Also we are looking for a place near my school (where I also work & teach, as well as attend grad school). He will be able to hang out there and get online or practice making music (his real love), since it's a music school.

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

We don't have a set plan but I was looking at classes at the community college to learn american english in speaking and writing. I also saw differnet kinds of job workshops at the college so my husband will be busy doing the classes while he wait for his ss# and green card.

Good idea! Anything to keep them busy!

What about us K-1s that don't have employment authorization? I mean, I'll be busy planning a wedding, and his family is great. But what am I supposed to do when there is downtime?! I'm going to go nuts! I am used so used to going to school full-time and working full-time. These past few months since I've graduated have been rough even with working full-time. I think I'm going to go stir crazy.

Maybe you can look into online courses? Get your resume up to date, get your name out there so when the time comes you will be ready for the work force!

That is our plan too my husband wants to continue his education we need to find out how many if any of his classes from his schooling there will be accepted. I ran into a nurse at the hospital my mom was in and she is from Nigeria and said alot of the classes from there are accepted so he is going to see how to get his Masters. He is also going to straighten out our yard lol... That will take him a few weeks right there. I have almost an acre of property and zero time to tend to it I mow the yard every other weekend but weeding and cutting back trees and such not so much. But it makes my husband crazy when I tell him that I am mowing the grass since that it a "man's job" lol. I told him get your butt home and you can have it...

Yay for help with the yard work! LOL. Yes education is a must, I agree!!!

My situation is similar except in this instance, me (beneficiary) had 2 weeks with my husband after POE and then he had to leave for work. He works overseas.

This is what worked for me:

• My immediate priority was a driver's license for independence and because we have 2 small children. My first few weeks here kept me busy with that.
  
• Initially, I joined a gym. I had never even been in a gym before. Ever! It's just not my thing. But it was an outlet for me and gave me something to do while the kids are in school. I also made my first friend there.
  
• Once I felt settled and comfortable, I started looking into school options. I am currently enrolled at a community college taking the general education transfer courses for UC. It has been tough adjusting but it keeps me busy and above all, I am starting to meet new people and make friends.
  
• When my husband is home, he likes to show me around the city, take me places and just help me see more of the city than I would on my own. This has been a huge help.
  

It has only been 9 months and I would never pretend that it has been easy, but as long as you both maintain a positive attitude, remind each other everyday why you took 'the plunge' then you'll come out alright.

Good luck with everything.

Excellent tips! Thank you so much!

When my boyfriend "lived" with me in the USA I immediately set him up with a volunteer job (was only on a tourist visa at the time), a gym membership, I let him use my car and showed him how to get to key spots or look something up on google maps, we visited my family a lot and went on little weekend trips.

When I moved to my boyfriend here in Costa Rica, he let me get a dog. With the dog I had a reason to get up and get out of the apartment every day. I met people at the dog park. I spent lots of time looking for jobs, lots of time doing paperwork for residency, and I also signed up for Italian classes. We took (still take) lots of weekend trips. Visited family, etc.

Also, internet is a pretty important part. Make sure they have a way to skype home!

Plenty to do!

Thanks for the input! Every tip helps me get better prepared!

I've been thinking about that too. We'll be moving into a new place (moving out from the place I share with my roommates). Because our wait is a little longer on the K1, my thoughts are that he will be able to work on his English while I'm gone. I'm going to get him plugged in with some people that he can practice with so that when time comes for interviewing & such, he'll be ready.

Also we are looking for a place near my school (where I also work & teach, as well as attend grad school). He will be able to hang out there and get online or practice making music (his real love), since it's a music school.

Excellent plans! Seems like a perfect fit with the music school!

It's nice reading all of this

9JAVJ, Class of 2012

YAY for Class of 2012!!! Woot woot!

[olumides_wife 17]

Well you know that I am still at the NOA1 stage but here are our plans!

1. I too am going to give him a rest...and let him just take a few weeks to adjust while we wait on the ssn and what not he's been working his whole life I am sure he will like the break

2. Where I work I plan to talk to my manager about getting him on with me, they also know the situation with him coming here but of course a position must be available so until then,

3. He will be the "stay at home" parent and wait for the kids to come home, cook, clean, and all that jazz ...I know he won't mind...he said it's only right...I shouldn't take care of the home and go to work...plus to me...he will be working...coming home to a clean house, washed clothes, and cooked food will be a serious burden lifted from me for a while...I'll still do my part sometimes lol jk

4. I live close to the library, an african shop, a gym and several other things I will get him acquainted with so that he can walk to these places and spend some time there.

5. Finaally, we will have a plan in place to get him into school as soon as he can so he can further his mechanical engineering degree here in America (this really should be number one he is in love with education lol)

Well that's my 2 cents: My husband is a very home body man now...even in Naija...he goes to work, goes to church, goes home and stops by his friend's to watch football from time to time...so I don't think he will be twiddling his fingers too much...he enjoys cooking and cleaning...his grandmother and mom taught him the joys of taking care of a home lol..so I think he will be okay...I pray he will be... though I know he will miss home from time to time.

I think my two kids will keep him very busy once they come home from school and he's there with them for a little while alone...lol

oh yes and i will get the "football" (soccer that is) channel on cable for him...so he can watch his sport!

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

Well you know that I am still at the NOA1 stage but here are our plans!

1. I too am going to give him a rest...and let him just take a few weeks to adjust while we wait on the ssn and what not he's been working his whole life I am sure he will like the break

2. Where I work I plan to talk to my manager about getting him on with me, they also know the situation with him coming here but of course a position must be available so until then,

3. He will be the "stay at home" parent and wait for the kids to come home, cook, clean, and all that jazz ...I know he won't mind...he said it's only right...I shouldn't take care of the home and go to work...plus to me...he will be working...coming home to a clean house, washed clothes, and cooked food will be a serious burden lifted from me for a while...I'll still do my part sometimes lol jk

4. I live close to the library, an african shop, a gym and several other things I will get him acquainted with so that he can walk to these places and spend some time there.

5. Finaally, we will have a plan in place to get him into school as soon as he can so he can further his mechanical engineering degree here in America (this really should be number one he is in love with education lol)

Well that's my 2 cents: My husband is a very home body man now...even in Naija...he goes to work, goes to church, goes home and stops by his friend's to watch football from time to time...so I don't think he will be twiddling his fingers too much...he enjoys cooking and cleaning...his grandmother and mom taught him the joys of taking care of a home lol..so I think he will be okay...I pray he will be... though I know he will miss home from time to time.

I think my two kids will keep him very busy once they come home from school and he's there with them for a little while alone...lol

oh yes and i will get the "football" (soccer that is) channel on cable for him...so he can watch his sport!

Looks like you got it figured out!!! Way to go for having such a plan is place!!!

[X Factor 1,110]

his grandmother and mom taught him the joys of taking care of a home lol

Looks like you got a house broken hubby