Saturday, May 20, 2006

If an Emergency Occurs at Home


Although it is not probable, it is possible that while you are in the United States, a medical, financial, or family problem could arise at home, and you will need to decide how to respond to it.

Fortunately, e-mail and the telephone usually make communications with home relatively easy. Consult with your family or friends to find out the seriousness of the problem before you decide too hastily what you should do. Here are a few things to consider in such situations:

Work Issues: If you decide to leave, make sure your career will not suffer.

Financial Issues: First of all, a trip back home might be expensive and could seriously impact your budget, especially if it is during peak seasons. If you need to depart for an extended period, make sure to communicate with your boss to discuss your situation.

Reentry Into the United States: Whenever you leave the country, you should make sure you have the appropriate visa and documents to reenter the United States. If your visa expires while you are gone, if you had a single-entry visa, or if you are away for an extended period, you might need to reapply at your local U.S. embassy for a valid visa.

Family Issues: Sometimes families are reluctant to inform workers living abroad of emergencies at home in order not to burden them. But not knowing fully what is going on at home can be frustrating for an OFW. You and your family should discuss this issue before you leave to define what you will expect from each other during your stay in the United States.

You Are Not Alone: If an emergency situation does arise, you can expect to receive support from your workplace, colleagues, and friends. They are there to listen to you, and they can be helpful as you decide what to do.


Adapted from Education USA

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