Welcome to USA Starter Kit

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

51 minutes ago, WaterLeaf said:

Only if it have certain higher speed and power/cc...
https://www.dmv.org/tn-tennessee/other-types.php

https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classm.html

It is true that a Moped does not require a motocycle endorsement on the driver's license, and it does not have to registered, but it requires a TN driver's license for drivers older than 15.

 

The law says for 50cc or less.

Edited January 1, 2019 by missileman

[WaterLeaf 199]

Alright so I guess I can't get anything other than a regular manual bike.

[ennabaer 73]

I just wanna say that this is a freaking sweet idea! Props for being such a cool person to your significant other.

[millefleur 5,035]

This might be kind of nerdy but my husband wanted a mini American flag and a copy of the US Constitution, lol. He moved here around July 4th and wanted to feel like he was really living in the USA and felt like he needed to own both of those things to feel like he was really living here. 😁

[Jessica Donahue 34]

I would look for local stores, or online, to find some staple foods that he's used to, and which might not be available in your local grocery.  Finding restaurants can also be a nice adventure, depending on where he's from. Food is a huge comfort when your partner is feeling homesick, he can keep it in the pantry for a special day. 

 

Also, check your local library's website for their online resources.  Many have Gale courses (which have quite a range of online courses), professionalization resources and language resources (duolingo, rosetta stone, mango).  Also, they might have Kanopy, which is an amazing streaming site with films and documentaries from around the world.  Later, if he decides to naturalize, many have Procitizen or other resources to prepare for the civics and language test.

 

My wife became a big fan of podcasts, so you can look around and see which ones might interest him, they're great especially if his first language isn't English, but also to get a feel for the dynamics of this country.

 

Good luck with everything!

[LukeU 413]

On 12/29/2018 at 8:35 AM, WaterLeaf said:

Hi, I wanted to post and get some ideas from anyone who can contribute on what would be a great addition for the "Welcome to the USA - Starter Kit"!!

 

My Fiancé is coming to the USA and I wanted to give him a nice welcome, so I came up with some of the ideas. We filed for K1 Visa.

My idea is the driver license manual handbook hard copy as I have this now and it's recent/up to date

-our current timeline/future event to do with our K-1 Visa Journey and the future

-things to do list; social security, marriage arrangement, etc.

-a copy of the state bluebook (Example)

-amazon prime subscription LOL

-gym membership with me

-???

This is an amazing idea, Amazon/Netflix for certain! 

 

Something containing a flag just 'cause 😛 As the below post states, it's always a good thing to have. 

 

Maybe also a little where's what list of the surrounding area for things to go and check out, potter around while you're working etc. Just to pass the time, I spent the best bits of the day while my fiancée was working during this last trip to just potter around the town and see what is what as there's only so many times you can use a GPS before it's annoying to even go and get some food! 

 

On 1/21/2019 at 6:45 PM, millefleur said:

This might be kind of nerdy but my husband wanted a mini American flag and a copy of the US Constitution, lol. He moved here around July 4th and wanted to feel like he was really living in the USA and felt like he needed to own both of those things to feel like he was really living here. 😁

Hey not nerdy at all, I love it! I'll have to be requesting a copy of the Constitution and a little flag for sure!

 

For Christmas I got a huge stars and stripes onesie as I'd bought her a uUion Jack one for the Christmas previous (my wife to be is a huge anglophile), it'll make for some amazing Christmas cards this coming year I'm sure. 

Edited January 27, 2019 by LukeU

[WaterLeaf 199]

Got some good stuff from Bath & Body work. Can't go wrong having personal hygiene ready!

[Dani and Alex 14]

I love this thread! Lots of good ideas. I'll add a few of mine:

 

-I'll have pictures of him (and me) with his friends and family around our home

-We'll have a welcome to the USA get-together with my extended family

-I started a mini library for him of used books I've collected- US history, English dictionary, American phrases, going to add the constitution!

-I live in NYC so I got him shirts/hats for the Mets, Giants, and Knicks then later tickets (mayyyybe this will spark conversations with other guys in the gym? Bromance ensues?)

-Through online searching, we found a Croatian church and some restaurants that are either Croatian or related (Bosnian, Serbian, etc) to fulfill his čevapi cravings

 

We'll want to find some friends too. If anyone is in NYC let us know!

[Prizm123 1,084]

I told her she is gonna watch a lot of Netflix and HBO

gonna get a monthly bus pass, enrolled in classes to improve her English while she waits to be able to work, my mom is going to take her shopping and to yoga classes, we are gonna do a lot of walking so she will get used to the area, and she will also have my PS4 and computer while I am at work. she will not know what to do so on my side job she will go with me

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

Amazing idea!

 

I’m visiting in August/September  before eventually moving in November (we hope!) - in August, we’re getting me a bicycle, plus getting a dog bed and bowls, so they’re ready for my pup when we arrive (we’re emigrating together).

 

I already have loads of toiletries/clothes/possessions there as I’ve been moving my stuff there gradually over the last two years.

 

The thing for me that really stood out is that Herschell hasn’t just stored the stuff away, he’s made sure I have space in the apartment - cleared out a wardrobe for me...bought a chest of drawers...bought several shoe storage things...added my ornaments and books to the shelves...put my magnets on the fridge...so my stuff all has a place.

 

He also calls it ‘our’ home consistently, never ‘his’...and if we need something new for our home, we pick it together (if I’m not over there at the time, we discuss it over the phone...or we once had a video call whilst he was in Little Tokyo, so we could pick out the perfect crockery set together 😂).

[fip & jim 452]

For Christmas 2017 James hand made me a book that included the Michigan road signs and maps of the area, so that I could learn them ahead of moving.

 

My neighbour gave me some US cash as a gift when we left the UK because she knew space was limited in our luggage, so I had some dollars ready in my purse when we landed. 

 

When we arrived James had filled the pantry with our favourite food, got us toiletries, bedding he knew we liked. He took me to Verizon to get me a cell phone. 

 

His colleagues gave us a hamper of Michigan related food and a card welcoming us to the US, which was lovely and very touching.

 

James made a list of accounts, passwords and useful information and he had a fireproof safe ready to put all our important documents in.

 

This thread is a great idea, and you all are so considerate towards your loved ones. ❤️

 

Edited May 13, 2019 by fip & jim

[MalinB 51]

I love this!! I wish my future husband was such a planner, but in our relationship it would be me (I’m the foreigner) 🤣

 

Anyways, what I am planning to do as soon as I get to the U.S. is to find somewhere to volunteer. I’m a teacher (got my degree in the U.S., that’s when we met) and I want to get a foot in right away so when my green card finally arrives, at least I have a recent reference in the U.S. My plan is to volunteer at a local school. It will also keep me from going insane, being alone all day... 

 

Maybe you can help your significant other find a volunteer spot in his area of work? Or at least look up some places you think might accept him. 

[WaterLeaf 199]

1 hour ago, MalinB said:

I love this!! I wish my future husband was such a planner, but in our relationship it would be me (I’m the foreigner) 🤣

 

Anyways, what I am planning to do as soon as I get to the U.S. is to find somewhere to volunteer. I’m a teacher (got my degree in the U.S., that’s when we met) and I want to get a foot in right away so when my green card finally arrives, at least I have a recent reference in the U.S. My plan is to volunteer at a local school. It will also keep me from going insane, being alone all day... 

 

Maybe you can help your significant other find a volunteer spot in his area of work? Or at least look up some places you think might accept him. 

Be very aware of the volunteering, there is something weird about not allowed to 'work'... but if there is a fine line of what I could let mine do while he waiting for the AOS package to complete, I'd like to know.

 

In the meantime, you might as well give him some kind of awareness of preparing your arrival and get you ready!

[MalinB 51]

4 hours ago, WaterLeaf said:

Be very aware of the volunteering, there is something weird about not allowed to 'work'... but if there is a fine line of what I could let mine do while he waiting for the AOS package to complete, I'd like to know.

 

In the meantime, you might as well give him some kind of awareness of preparing your arrival and get you ready!

I really hope volunteering for free isn’t considered work... 😬 but thanks for the heads up! I will definitely double check. 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

1 hour ago, MalinB said:

I really hope volunteering for free isn’t considered work... 😬 but thanks for the heads up! I will definitely double check. 

It must be the type of volunteering that never is a paid position. If it is something they would normally hire someone for then you cannot volunteer for it.