FEMA Spronsorship- Can anyone help?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by saharapost, Jun 21, 2013.

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  1. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    The attached link Emergency Management Institute - FEMA Independent Study Programspecifies that non US citizens who want to benefit from the FEMA courses must provide ''a United States organization as a sponsor (i.e., fire department, police department, state emergency organization, college or university)'' I was wondering whether anyone on this forum could help sponsor. I don't think sponsorship means payment. We need the courses for getting free credits to apply towards the BSBA TESC degree plan for one of my relatives who is in Europe here with me. I will be so glad if help is possible.
     
  2. IrishJohn

    IrishJohn New Member

    What you could do is ask TESC if they will sponsor you after you enroll. Of course finish all other requirements or get to close to doing so before you enroll so you know you'll be able to finish anything remaining within 1 year. Not sure what other US organization can help you.
     
  3. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    Sounds like a good plan. Also, if you look at the sample letter for requesting you be allowed to take the courses it expects you to be a non-U.S. citizen that is actually in the U.S.
     
  4. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Actually, I wrote to the person whose name appears below the info in the link, requesting for some favor. I explained that we live in Europe (Slovakia) and very much interested in the courses. S/he immediately replied forwarding me the same info. Based on the fact that I wrote to her in person and informed her that I am African, living in Europe, I do not think it stops one who doesn't reside in US from taking the courses insofar one is able to provide a sponsor.
     
  5. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Thank you, IrishJohn: this sounds like a good plan. The problem is one doesn't know if TESC will be willing to do that...business reasons I will think. What do you think about TEEX free courses? Can they also fulfill the spaces of FEMA? If yes, would you please recommend any ones appropriate and offered online to non US residents? Thanks a lot.
     
  6. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    For what its worth, I took the certification post-Hurricane Katrina. I am a not a US citizen but received sponsorship through the local (US) city government where I was in practice at the time.

    I know that doesn't help someone living in Europe but I thought I'd share for the benefit of others who bump into this thread.
     
  7. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2013
  8. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Ian, I never really thought about the US embassy here. Actually, I live few walks away from the embassy. I have just booked an appointment online for Monday to go discuss with them. I hope all will go well. Whatever the result, I will let you guys know on Monday. Thanks for the help.
     
  9. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Did you have to give reasons for wanting to take the course? Was it because of the Hurricane or for credit purposes? I will try the US embassy here on Monday. I am really nervous and ''praying'' all goes well. :)
     
  10. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    During Katrina, I volunteered (doing mental health screenings for displaced persons) and was later contacted by city government asking if I'd like to be certified. I didn't need the credits.
     
  11. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Aha, I see. Lucky you. :smile:
     
  12. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    So, I just returned from the US embassy here in Bratislava regarding the FEMA sponsorship issue. They directed me to the Fullbright Commission. Lady at the commission was very nice and helpful. She promised to recommend me for the program insofar as the term SPONSOR doesn't require payments. Though it was not stated in the link sent to me by FEMA that they needed some organisation to pay for my training, l am now beginning to wonder what exactly they mean by sponsor. I should get a response from the commission tomorrow when they send the letter to FEMA. Thanks to all who offered kind assistance.
     
  13. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    I just got a FEMA response via the Fullbright Commission and it states that they can't enrol me/us unless sponsored by a US agency. I am thinking of going through the PLA route..
     
  14. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Since we couldn't get a sponsor from the US embassy here in Bratislava and the Fullbright Commission's sponsorship letter was turned down, I was thinking if going the PLA route is the best bet. Is it possible to combine previously earned credits with PLA portfolios in areas one doesn't have college credit? Does TESC accepts learningcounts.org's assessment? Please advise. Thanks to you all.
     
  15. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    TESC accepts LearningCounts PLAs, but there's no guarantee that the credits will be accepted for what you want. The best thing to do is to pick a TESC course or something out of the TESC PLA database and tell your LearningCounts advisor that you want to complete a PLA for that. In the portfolios, you have to demonstrate college-level learning outside of the classroom.
     
  16. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    A degreeinfo member wrote on article on PLAs. See the home page
    DegreeInfo Distance Learning - online degree forum - The Front Page

    There are lots of articles on PLAs on the web from Universities.

    The main thing about PLAs is producing verification of your learning (certificates, photos, employee records/reviews, recordings for music/speeches/langauges, papers you have written, membership in clubs, etc). Reference your learning to a college course (document the college, catalog year, and course number).

    However the PLA route is expensive these days.
     
  17. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Thank you for Sanantone for your responses all these while. Now there is a change of plan. Since I have about 5experiences in mass media and 3 semesters worth of credit in Mass Communication credits and 4 semesters worth of credits in Law, I am thinking of applying those credits towards a TESC BA journalism. I will tender some of my PF credits to meet part of the gen ed requirements.
     
  18. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Wait, you may have explained this but I honestly forget -- if you're working on an LLB from the University of London, why would you bother with any of this anyway?
     
  19. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    My reason for studying Law was borne out of my passion for the course. If I were to practice, the London LLB degree will take me nowhere in my country. For one to practice as a Lawyer, one must:
    1) Study Law FULL TIME and not via distance learning as in Uni London
    2) Complete 1 year post- Law studies at the Nigerian Law School.
    Now, there is no way one(in my country) can go to the Law school if one did not attend a Full time law program. The Nigerian Bar Association frowns at anything distance learning when it comes to law. When it comes to my new plan, I had studied Mass Communication at a Polytechnic for 3 semesters before I had to move here (to Europe) to join my family. I also have about 5 to 6 years experiencein new reproting. I started writing and reporting for a community newspaper in my country even while I was studying and I have my works still in the papers. Sometimes, one just gets crazy about getting any degree. Concerning BSBA, since one of my relatives was interested, I equally said ''why not me too''. But, with the way things are in regards to the FEMA courses, I decided to let go of the BSBA and use my credits from my home country,my Law studies, and the London School of Journalism Diploma(assuming it will count towards credit) to apply for a BA Journalism. I have always want to teach journalism classes. I see this degree as a ladder to further professional and post graduate studies in Mass Communication or Journalism and after which I can return home someday and secure a teaching position in my country...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2013
  20. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Thanks, Ian for the links. I appreciate your help.
     

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