Family
Spouses
We understand your situation. You have just moved from another country with your spouse who accepted a new position at Caltech or JPL. You are excited about the new transition, but your feelings may be confused. You are simultaneously curious about the possibilities that a new country brings, but you may also feel overwhelmed, homesick, and lonely. It may be difficult as you see your spouse engaging with their new work life, while you are adjusting to your new environment on your own. There are ways to help you feel at home in your new home.
Caltech campus. English as Second Language (ESL) is intended for students enrolled in a graduate degree program. Visitors, post-doctoral scholars, staff, and dependents of community members may attend ESL 101ab on an audit basis, space permitting. Please email the Registrar's Office for more information.
Off-campus. San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council (SGVLC) offers free English classes for adults, from beginner to advanced levels.
The Pasadena City College offers ESL classes, with different levels and targets (conversation, pronunciation, and grammar) at a reasonable price; non-credit courses (no diploma) are also a very good way to practice and improve your English. You can also practice English by taking any class at Pasadena City College (PCC) taught in English.
Anyone can donate their time to a non-profit organization for community service, without payment or any other type of compensation. Since volunteering is not employment, anyone is eligible to volunteer, regardless of whether they have U.S. work authorization or not. General resources for volunteering can be found on Volunteermatch and Jericho Road. Many more opportunities are described in the categories below:
Interacting with as many people as possible, even if that is difficult or uncomfortable, will help your transition to the United States. Practice and enhance your English language skills with free English Language classes at the San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council, or at the Pasadena City College (PCC). See above.
To meet people, make new friends, and share mutual interests with your family, or just by yourself, you can join:
- Caltech International Spouses Club (CISC)
- Caltech Women's Club (CWC)
- Caltech Postdoc Association
- Caltech Performing and Visual Arts
- Caltech Events
- JPL employees can join the Foreign National Advocacy Network (FAN) mailing list or their Slack page (#jpl-fn-lpr) to find out about JPL FN social activities
Who can work in the United States? International spouses may only work in the United States with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or if you are authorized based on your status. E-1, E-2, E-3, and L-2 spouses can work based on their status; applying for an EAD is optional. Spouses in J-2 and H-4 (when eligible*) need an EAD in order to work. An EAD is a temporary work card that may be tied to the length of your status. You must wait until you are in the United States to submit your application. See our website for further instructions. The processing time varies but usually takes at least three months. You can start your job search while the application is pending.
If you are in a nonimmigrant status that does not allow for work authorization, such as F-2, H-4*, TD, or O-3, you can only engage in activities that are traditionally filled by volunteers and are never paid.
*H-4 nonimmigrants are generally not authorized to work. In very limited situations, H-4 dependents may be eligible to apply for work authorization.
Career Search. U.S. work culture has its idiosyncrasies, and small talk is part of it. A job fair or networking event is the perfect time to deliver your elevator speech and give a copy of your resume and cover letter. If recruiters are interested, they may contact you to schedule either a phone interview or an in-person interview. If the interview is successful, expect the recruiter to contact your references. Once you receive a job offer take the benefits into consideration. Benefits can include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. Benefits may not be provided for part-time positions.
The following job search websites include search portals, networking, and professional advice: Career Builder, CareerOneStop, FishBowl, GlassDoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, Remotive, Wellfound, and ZipRecruiter
With permission from the University of California, Davis, their Career Resource Manual has sample entry-level and mid-career resumes and a sample cover letter. Resources for interviews are as follows:
International spouses can study in the United States. However, F-2 dependents are only eligible to study part time. Students may enroll in credit or noncredit classes. Fees may be different for California residents or nonresidents and the definition of residency may differ based on the institution. For example, see Fees and Tuition and noncredit classes at Pasadena City College (PCC).
You should also review the prerequisites and requirements for the course.
English Proficiency must be demonstrated before enrolling in certain classes. Most U.S. colleges and universities evaluate your oral and written English level to determine whether you will be able to follow a class in English. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language) is frequently used.
Other admissions tests include the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for graduate programs, GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) for business school, and the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) for law school. If you are looking to work towards a Bachelor's degree, one option would be to start at PCC and then transfer to a four-year university.
Certain professionals may be able to get a license to practice in the United States or in California, based on their experience, licensure abroad, or reciprocity. In order to obtain an equivalence, you may need to provide an evaluation of your foreign credentials, including school transcripts, diplomas, certifications, professional licenses, etc. Costs and processing times are likely to vary, so you are encouraged to check each one of them on the fees and how long it takes to get an evaluation. International Education Research Foundation, World Education Service, Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute
As a starting point, it is important to understand the U.S. terminology regarding children, child care, and education.
- Infant is a new-born baby up to 2 years old.
- Toddler is a child from 2 to 4 years old.
- Preschooler is a child from 4 to 5 years old.
- Daycare is for infants and toddlers.
- Transitional Kindergarten (below 5 years old).
- Kindergarten (5 years).
- Elementary School is Grades 1 to 5 (6 years old to 10 years old).
- Middle School is Grades 6 to 8 (11 years old to 13 years old).
- High School is Grades 9 to 12 (14 years old to 18 years old).
Minimum Age. 6 weeks is the minimum age for childcare in California. Facilities must operate under a California State License.
Vaccination. California requires that children be up to date on their immunizations to attend childcare.
Caltech and JPL Childcare. Caltech Children's Center and Child Educational Center are two separate childcare facilities for the Caltech and JPL communities. The JPL facility also offers preschool and after-school programs, as well as a summer camp, in Pasadena near the Caltech campus.
Off-Campus Childcare is privately operated. Children attend in same-age groups, for half a day or a full day. You can read parent reviews on Yelp and also consult Options for Learning for other resources.
Infant and Toddler Childcare:
- Brella • 475 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
- Child Development Center • 1324 East Green Street, Pasadena
- Kiddie Academy • 69 N. Halstead Street, Pasadena
- Kids Club • 380 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena
- Pasadena Day Nursery • 450 North Garfield, Pasadena
- Pasadena Preschool Academy • 2611 Woodlyn Road, Pasadena
24 Months and Older:
- Care • 915 N. Holliston Avenue, Pasadena
- Enchanted Castle • 444 S. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena
- International Montessori • 55 W. Green Street, Pasadena
- Sunrise Preschool • 3700 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena
- The Academy • 700 E. Green Street, Pasadena
Co-op Nursery is privately operated for children aged 2.5 – 5 years old. Children attend in same-age groups, for half a day or a full day. Mandatory parent participation is the core concept of a co-op. The California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools can help you locate local co-op nursery schools.
- Altadena Nursery School • 789 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena
- Cottage Co-Op Nursery School • 169 Arlington Drive, Pasadena
- Hastings Ranch Nursery School • 3740 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena
- Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School • 1515 Garfield Avenue, South Pasadena
- Sierra Madre Community Nursery School • 701 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre
Babysitting is for occasional help, and is paid hourly.
- Care.com see Caltech Benefits for backup childcare options
- Meredith
- Nanny Classifieds
- Nanny U.S.
- SitterCity
When a child turns five years old on or before September 1 of the school year, it's mandatory to attend Kindergarten. Transitional Kindergarten is provided for children who are not five years old by September 1 of the school year. California requires that children be up to date on their immunizations to attend school.
You can decide to send your child to public school or private school. Both public and private schools must publish their academic testing results every year.
Parents are expected to provide their child with lunch and snacks; however, some schools have cafeterias that provide meals for students. Also, Pasadena Unified School District offers breakfast and lunch through its Food and Nutrition Services program. These meals are designed to meet federal nutrition guidelines and are available to all students. Many schools in the district also participate in programs that provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible students.
Many parents volunteer at their child's school through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or as a Room Parent.
Public Schools. Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) starts school in mid-August and ends in May. PUSD Magnet Programs focus on an educational theme, such as Dual Language Immersion, Visual and Performing Arts, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, and International Baccalaureate. The School Locator helps you to identify your local school. You may also decide to choose a school outside of your catchment area by completing the Lottery Application. In addition to the registration requirements, international student and scholar parents need to present their child's passport or birth certificate, their immunization record, and a rental lease or a utility bill with the parent's name on it. A translation is unnecessary.
Supplemental resources provided by Caltech for PUSD are offered through Caltech Educational Outreach and the Rise Program. Other resources include Pasadena Education Network and Pasadena Educational Foundation.
Private Schools. Private schools start in early September and end mid-June. There are religious and secular (non-religious) private schools, and each has its own curriculum. The California Association of Independent Schools and Pasadena Area Independent Schools help you find the right school for your child, based on your criteria. Tuition for private schools may be significant and it varies according to grade level and whether there is a religious affiliation. In addition to meeting the age requirement, your child must pass a test based on both basic academic and developmental/social skills; the Independent School Entrance Exam is a commonly used test.
Caltech supports parents by providing the following resources:
- Lactation Rooms and Lounges throughout campus.
- The Caltech Women's Club hosts the Casita, where Caltech and JPL parents of young children can meet up and borrow toys and children's clothes.
- The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) allows eligible applicants to receive up to $5,000 per year to help offset childcare provider costs.
- Caltech subsidizes Backup Childcare through Care.com.
- Flexible Savings Accounts to set aside tax-free dollars for eligible day care expenses for a dependent child under 13 may be available to you through the employee's MyBenefits portal.
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Outreach (CTLO) offers the following resources:
- Kindergarden to 12th Grade Resources including lectures, on-campus experiences, online learning, and tutoring.
- Summer Programs
Pasadena Education Network and Pasadena Educational Foundation give an array of information, supports and resources related to public schools and their communities.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed.