Khbrat Orientation Webinar - udel.edu · Arrive between February 3 - February 6 (Concern about visa interviews) ... • Meet other ELI students with children • Share childcare solutions

Khbrat Orientation Webinar Welcome!

How will this webinar work?

Technology tips:• You will see our faces and hear our voices• Your sound will be silenced to avoid disruptions• You can write a question in the chat box• We will speak mostly in English

What if I don’t know my question in English?• Dr. Reem Aleissa will assist in Arabic as needed

Who are we?

Dr. Ahlam MusaAcademic

Coordinator

Callie ZimmermanCommunity Liaison

Dr. Reem AleissaCultural Consultant

Who are we? (cont.)

Tim KimOrientation Coordinator

Anne-Claire Frank-Seisay

Housing Coordinator

Kirsten BrownAdmissions Coordinator

Who are we? (cont.)

Baerbel Schumacher

Special Programs Manager

Kate CopelandKhbrat Project

Director

Dr. Scott StevensELI Director

Where is Delaware?

Where is UD?

Where is UD? (cont.)

● City: Newark● State: Delaware (DE)● 2 hours from

New York City● 2 hours from

Washington, D.C.● 45 minutes from

Philadelphia

About Newark● Small town, approx. 33,000 residents● Classic American “Main Street”

Beautiful campus

About the English Language Institute (ELI)

About the ELI● Founded in 1979● Part of the University● One of the biggest English schools in U.S.

○ > 550 students per session○ Students from around the world

ELI facilities

Cultural programming

Preparing for your arrivalWhat to do before you come to Delaware

What should I do before coming to Delaware?

❑ Buy your plane ticket

❑ Reserve your airport pick-up and hotel (Arrival Form)

❑ Reserve your housing (Arrival Form)

❑ Complete your immunization and health documents

❑ Log onto Canvas (Invitation will be sent within a week)

We will share more details about these items in this presentation.

Khbrat Arrival Form

When should I come to Newark?Arrive between February 3 - February 6(Concern about visa interviews)

Which airport do I use?Best arrival airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

• 50 minutes to Newark, Delaware• Easy shuttle service

We do not recommend that you arrive in Washington, DC; New York; Newark (New Jersey)

• 2-3 hours away• No easy shuttle to Newark

Arrival tips

• You may not come to the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019 form

• Keep your DS-2019 form in your hand luggage• If you must transfer planes in the U.S., schedule

at least 2 hours for the layover• Immigration/customs, baggage recheck, new gate

• You need a credit card to rent a car • One way is very expensive

• UBER APP

Arrival tips (cont.)

● Complete Arrival Form to reserve your airport pick-up and hotel room

● Safety: request car seats if you have children○ Children under 8 years old (or weighing under 65 lbs

or 30 kg) must sit in federally-approved car seat○ www.ohs.delaware.gov/carseat.shtml

Hotel information

●ELI’s hotel partner: Red Roof Inn○ 1119 South College Avenue, Newark DE 19711○ Phone: +1-302-368-8521○ We can help you with the reservation if you

complete the Arrival Form●Other hotels in the Newark Delaware area

○ Candlewood Suites○ Embassy Suites○ Courtyard by Marriott

What documents should we bring?● For all family members:

○ All immigration documents○ Health & immunization records

● For K-12 School Enrollment:○ Birth certificates○ Saudi school records○ School physical forms○ Medical & Immunization documents

■ Get physicals and immunizations before you leave

Health and Immunization

● All participants are required to complete the Health History and Immunization forms

● All participants must have at least 1 dose of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine

● Send forms to [email protected]

For more information:

http://sites.udel.edu/eli/newstudents/immunizations/

What should I pack in my luggage?

● It is cold in Delaware!● Winter coats, hats and gloves● Backpacks● Sneakers or shoes with rubber

bottoms for school○ No sandals, flip flops or shoes

with high heels● Put your child’s name on

everything for school

Emergencies

For emergencies during your arrival:Mobile phone number: +1-302-722-6634

Questions?

Housing optionsWhere will we live?

Where will we live?Recommended choice: Park Place Apartments in Studio Green

Park Place apartments: features

Apartments have: ● 1/2/3 bedrooms● 1 bathroom● Kitchen● Dining room● Living room● Furniture

Access to:● Fitness center● Clubhouse

Park Place apartments: Benefits• Low cost• Fully furnished and includes utilities• Close to Newark elementary schools• Close to UD campus and bus system• Complete support from ELI to move in

and ongoing support• Closer to Khbrat colleagues

Park Place apartments (cont.)

What to do if you want to live in Park Place apartments at Studio Green:

● Complete the housing reservation form before you arrive

● We will send a link to the housing reservation form after this presentation

Other housing options: considerationsThings to remember if you choose another housing option:

● The apartment may be more expensive and may not have furniture

● If the apartments are farther away from campus, transportation may be difficult

● ELI only supports students living in its approved housing options

● Less connection to Khbrat colleagues

Questions?

Information for familiesWhat if I will bring my spouse and children to Delaware?

What about my children?

This presentation has information about:

● Child care needs● Schools

Daycare centers in Newark

Current openings are limited.

● Several options in the area, including:○ Willa Road Children’s Center○ Newark Day Nursery○ Tarbiyah School and Day Care, Masjid Isa○ Blossom and Bloom Daycare

● For more options and to see the centers’ addresses, phone numbers, and websites, visit http://sites.udel.edu/elifamily/daycare/

Support for women and childrenJoin the ELI’s award-winning Women’s Life Support Group!

• Welcome sessions

• Meet other ELI students with children

• Share childcare solutionsand tips for families

U.S. public school system●Managed by each state

○No central U.S. system○Each state has its own school

districts with their own:○ Enrollment system○ Buses

○ Delaware & Maryland are different school systems

○ Buses cannot transport children across districts or states

Delaware public schools● If you live in Newark, your children can

go to Newark public schools for free● You cannot choose the public school

for your children

Delaware public schools● West Park Place Elementary School (ages 5-11)

○ Hours: 8:20 a.m. - 3 p.m.○ Can walk from Park Place Apartments

● Shue Meddill Middle School (ages 11-13)○ Hours: 7:05 am-2:00 pm○ Free school bus if needed○ School uniforms

● Newark High School (ages 14-18)○ Hours: 7:05 am-2:00 pm○ Free school bus if needed

School hours may be different for other schools.

School enrollment● Newark is in the Christina School District ● Kindergarten: Birthdate- August 31, 2012● Required documents:

○ Enrollment forms○ Medical documents ○ Birth certificates○ School records: English transcriptions if possible

● During Orientation we will assist you in completing school enrollment forms

Islamic schools and communities

● Islamic Society of Delaware (K-8) ○ 28 Salem Church Road○ (302) 455-9988

● Tarbiyah Islamic School (Pre-K -8) ○ 706 S. Old Baltimore Pike ○ (302) 533-8114

Questions?

Other helpful informationBank accounts, driving, health care

Bank accounts and credit cards

● PNC Bank: National bank on the UD campus● Passport and university student ID card● Must open account in person● ELI Community Liaison Team will help you● http://sites.udel.edu/csp/important/banking/

Driving in Delaware: getting a license

Do I need a U.S. driver’s license to drive?○ You must get a Delaware state license within

60 days○ If you do not have a Saudi license, you cannot drive

until you get a Delaware license○ http://sites.udel.edu/csp/important/driverslicense/

Driving in Delaware: safety• Everyone must wear a seatbelt at all times!• Children less than 65 pounds (30 kg) must use

a car seat or “booster” seat

Driving in Delaware: Buying a Car• You must register the car in your

name in Delaware within 60 days• The car must pass inspection• You must have car insurance

• You need a credit card to rent a car.• Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Newark

Driving in Delaware: learn more

Your orientation will include detailed information about:

● How to get a driver’s license in Delaware● Purchasing a car● Delaware car registration laws● Car insurance● Delaware driving laws and safety● Safety is #1!

What if my child needs a doctor?

● Find a doctor soon after you arrive (before you need one)○ Dr. Mohammed Khan○ UD STAR Campus: Nurse Managed Health Care

● For small medical emergencies:○ Christiana Care Medical Aid Unit at STAR Campus 550 S. College Ave., Suite 115, Newark | 302-533-7148

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Questions?

After you arrive in Delaware

Orientation Phase: February 6 - March 2● Welcome reception● Banking● IDs● Housing Assistance● School Enrollment

Assistance● Medical information● Childcare Information● Driving regulations

● Intake/language testing/ needs assessment

● ELI Orientation● Campus Tours● Khbrat Program

Introduction● Meet local community● Delaware K-12 School

Background Check● Explore the area

Your language classes begin on Monday March 5.

Khbrat Program Overview• Two Tracks:

• EFL: English as a Foreign Language

• ACT: Academic Content

• Intensive Language Classes

• Professional Learning Communities:

• Seminars: Topics in Education

• Teaching Methods Courses & Workshops

• Guided School Tours & School Practicum Assignments

• Educational Leadership Training

• Individual Action Plan & Final Capstone Project

Khbrat Program Goals

• Strengthen your Academic English

• Develop a mindset of professional inquiry

• Explore and evaluate new approaches to teaching

• Develop a plan to apply your learning• Become Leaders your Saudi education communities

Communications

● “Khbrat Delaware” WhatsApp Group○ Support each other and share information quickly

when needed● Instructure Canvas

○ Orientation Guide and Checklist○ Learning Management System

● Emails will be answered within 1-2 business days

● Arrival Emergency Number: +1-302-722-6634

What do I do now?

❑ Arrival form (Airport/hotel)❑ Studio Green Apartment housing form❑ Log onto Whatsapp and Canvas❑ Get your immunizations !

Questions?