What does your fiance do while you are at work before work permit?

[MrMonk 0]

So I am trying to think of this that my fiance can do while I am away at work during her first 3 months in the US while waiting for her to get approved for employment status. Luckily this will only be 9 hours per day...but still that adds up. Being alone all day, in a strange country, away from all family, and no "normal" comfort foods has to be stressful.

Obviously she can explore the city and go sightseeing...but I doubt that will be much fun alone, plus could be scary.

I was thinking she can study some more on her English skills, talk to her family, look at what interests her for jobs, work on Resume and learn US history for Naturalization. While all that is more than enough to keep her busy for 3 months I would have to imagine that being unemployed for 3 months would make me stir crazy and I would need a break from all of that.

So if you have any other ideas that would be positive things to keep her focused and not isolated...would be greatly appreciated.

[kjem 11]

My fiance will be coming from the Philippines. I intentionally sought out Pinoy-communities for her to connect with before coming here. Since you lady is already here, it would be helpful to connect her with a community of people that are here from her country, but of course, you will need to be careful in who you connect her with. You will want you lady's transition to be as smooth as possible. Ask her what is it she would like to do and learn while you are at work. I believe if you be intentional as it seems you already are, your lady will love and appreciate you even more.

[dillygoose 21]

Did you try asking her what she'd like to do? Or what interests her?

I sure like weighing in on what I might do with my time, as opposed to having someone tell me.

I'm guessing she probably has some thoughts about it.

[MarkerOne 4]

Well, in my case, my fiance has two degrees in Marketing and Business admin. She is also short one year to become an attorney but of course this is in the Philippines at one of the best university, Ateneo de Davao University. She is currently Accounting specialist in Singapore and most likely she will be studying to get her CPA certificate and the three months she will be waiting for employment she will be focused on reading and studying, at the same time enjoy the free time without work, because the day will come when she will be wishing she could have three months of work...So I suggest that your fiance take classes in community college or learning center.

[Cathi 5,613]

volunteer

[theresaL 408]

Check out free English classes at your local community college. She would be with other adult learners and it would be more productive than trying to do it alone. My local CC has both day and evening classes available. My fiancé is planning to study English for the first year after we are married and not worrying about working. Luckily we are in a position to do that.

[MarkerOne 4]

My fiance will be coming from the Philippines. I intentionally sought out Pinoy-communities for her to connect with before coming here. Since you lady is already here, it would be helpful to connect her with a community of people that are here from her country, but of course, you will need to be careful in who you connect her with. You will want you lady's transition to be as smooth as possible. Ask her what is it she would like to do and learn while you are at work. I believe if you be intentional as it seems you already are, your lady will love and appreciate you even more.

LOL, I meant she will be wishing she can have three months off work just to stay at home and do nothing...

[khwaidee1 196]

Check out free English classes at your local community college. She would be with other adult learners and it would be more productive than trying to do it alone. My local CC has both day and evening classes available. My fiancé is planning to study English for the first year after we are married and not worrying about working. Luckily we are in a position to do that.

Agreed. My wife has no college degree. She started with ESL courses, some computer classes, learned to drive, learned her neighborhood and where to shop (she already knew how to do that!) Perfected her cooking skills and now she is a cook in a Thai restaurant.

[MrMonk 0]

Thanks for the beneficial replies.

Actually she is not here yet, I just want to get things in order before she gets here. If it were up to her, she would get a job the first week. She has a few college degrees and really wants to put them to good use.

I will have to check the local CC to see what they have for Eng classes. She actually has fantastic Eng skills, but the overachiever in her wants to be perfect.

Sadly we do not have that awesome of a public transport system, so that makes it more challenging for her to get around.

[TBoneTX 43,133]

A great many threads on this topic are in the "Moving to the US & Your New Life" forum, where this thread is being moved on the basis of its subject matter.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I'm the benefiary. I was blogging, learnt about the city where I lived, sometimes I walked around the apartment complex, improving my English skill, learnt a new things like another language, and any other things like drawing, cooking, and handcrafted. Those made me busy until he came back from work. I usually called him after lunch and called him later if he stayed late at work and put me on speaker phone for hours while he was working.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Do you have a good library nearby? I know our library offers a lot of ways to interact with others and take some free classes.

[Michael and Ganna 104]

There are a few thoughtful things to prepare for the arrival of your FSU finance. First off clean your house!! have it sterilized and make sure there is no evidence of past relationships....none! She will arrange your entire home to suit her needs. Then buy a comfy new pair of warm slippers like she uses at home. Get an electric tea kettle and an assortment of teas. Go buy a beautiful new set of sheets for your bed like she uses at home. Have a mobile phone for her, and make sure she has access to Skype. Have you located anyplace that she can find some native foods? Are there others from FSU in your area? Does she go to church? After you get home from work....take her out...go do something. Teach her to shop and how to find deals. Take her on a country road and start to teach her to drive. It is sad, but FSU university degrees aren't worth the paper there written on in the US. She will need your guidance for everything.......Don't be a dictator, help her find out what she wants from life.....be her best friend:)..... I guarantee you will not be happy is she is not happy. Also find a woman that has come here from Russia and settled....even if it is your buddies wife in California. It will be someone she can go to and ask advice...

[HK12 273]

I spent a lot of time at the local library, reading books about how to apply for jobs in America. I got my resume done and looked at job offers online. Did driving school. Spent time with my husband's family. Other than that, I have to say I was awfully bored, since I could not walk anywhere from where we lived. Was glad when my EAD finally came in and I could start working.

[brien0512 61]

I do baking painting crosstich made embroidery for our pillow cases n new hobby going to firing range n learning archery for our next trip for deer hunting..