FAMILY DRAFT
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 also feel overwhelmed, homesick, and lonely. It may also 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.
At Caltech.
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 send an email for more information at regis@caltech.edu..
Outside of the campus.
San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council (SGVLC) offers free English classes for adults, from beginner to advanced levels.
The Pasadena City College offers also 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.
Keep in mind that you can practice English by taking any class of your choice, taught in English. Add text here
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, 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) at a reasonable price.
To meet people, make new friends, and share mutual interests with your family, or just by yourself, you can join:
- Caltech International Spouse Club
- Caltech Women's Club (CWC)
- Caltech Postdoc Association
- Foreign National Advocacy Network (FAN) at JPL: join the mailing list or their Slack page (#jpl-fn-lpr)
- Caltech Performing and Visual Arts
- Caltech Events
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 processing 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. Attending a job fair and networking make the perfect time to deliver your elevator speech, give a copy of your resume and your 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 into consideration the cost of living and benefits. 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:
With permission of the University of California, Davis's Career Resource Manual, here are sample entry-level and work experience 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 at Pasadena City College (PCC).
You should also review the prerequisites and requirements for the course.
English Proficiency Requirements must be demonstrated before enrolling in certain classes. Most U.S. colleges and universities evaluate your oral and written English as a Second Language (ESL) 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. Caltech offers free English classes to the community.
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
Children
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, 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. 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.
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/or snacks. There is no cafeteria in schools. Many parents volunteer at their child's school, whether it's for 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.
Outside of Caltech, consider checking also Pasadena Education Network and Pasadena Educational Foundation.
Private school
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 defray 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.
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Outreach (CTLO) offers a wide variety of resources, from Pre-K to 12th Graders: lectures, on-campus experiences, online learning, and tutoring.
Different Summer Programs are also proposed through the CTLO.
Pasadena Education Network and Pasadena Educational Foundation give an array of information, sup[ports and resources related to public schools and their communities.