Feeling Jobless on H4? 35+ Ideas of Things To Do!

Sitting at home staring at the four walls wondering how to spend your time on a H4 or F2 visa? Just because you can’t work and make money doesn’t mean you have to sit idle, bored, listless and frustrated! Here are some ideas of things you can do to keep busy:
  1. Learn cooking
  2. Blog
  3. Find local clubs of your hobby or interest
  4. Figure out how to get a driver license
  5. Volunteer in your field of expertise
  6. Learn about finances and manage household finances.
  7. Americanize your resume/ CV and get it critiqued
  8. Go back to college
  9. Learn more about American culture.
  10. Become an apprentice
  11. Work on getting EAD based on your spouse’s immigration status
  12. Get a pet
  13. Start a family
  14. Learn about your local community
  15. Treat your home life like a job and plan your day as if it were your job.
  16. Explore your true interests and hobbies
  17. Self-improvement through life coaching
  18. Get a gym membership
  19. Learn a foreign language
  20. Americanize your English or increase confidence in talking to Americans
  21. Take the TOEFL
  22. Take GRE/GMAT
  23. Find out how to ‘Americanize’ your degree and update your qualifications to the U.S. standards
  24. Volunteer at your spiritual community (church, temple, mosque)
  25. Teach Americans about Indian culture or your Indian language
  26. Give Indian cooking classes
  27. Learn sewing or some arts and crafts
  28. Get involved in a community club
  29. Find out about international wives or newcomers clubs
  30. Network in your career field and find out how your career path is similar or different in USA.
  31. Join a book club
  32. Take free classes on line via MIT Open courses or search tutorials on YouTube
  33. Network in your career field
  34. Join Toastmasters
  35. Get involved in a charity
  36. Learn about other cultures by getting involved in other cultural organizations outside the Indian community
  37. Learn dance or music
What if none of those ideas suit you? That's ok. We can work together to brainstorm ideas that fit you, your personality, your career goals, interests, location, resources and other variables. I'm up for the challenge, are you?

So, you may now ask, “Jennifer you have given us so many ideas, how can I implement any of these ideas?”
Of course some ideas are easier said than done. One way to get these ideas implemented is by planning and talking with your spouse or other friends or family you already have in the U.S. However if your network in the U.S. is limited, that’s where a coach like me can fit in to help you fill in the gaps. I can help you in as little as two sessions brainstorm the aspects of your life that are most important to you and help you create goals to help you realize comfort before, during or after you shift to the U.S.

If you’d like to get started today, check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the Intake Paperwork.

Note: Advice given in this article if unclear should be advised by your attorney. As each person's situation is different, and the laws change from time to time, it's best to advise with your immigration attorney on some matters; especially in relation to making money or the exact nature of volunteer work.



Thank you for reading.


End of Part 3, Series on Help for H4/F2 Visa HoldersRead Part 1: Do Not ‘Settle’ For Settling Abroad: Plan Ahead For the Best Cross-Cultural Adaptation

Related Posts:
See Client Testimonials
5 Ideas to Try on H4 @ Bloggermoms

Author of this post, Jennifer Kumar, an American has experience planning moves abroad having recently moved back to India for a second time. I understand the situations faced by dependent spouses and living in a new country trying to figure out how to fit in and find a place in a new community, country and culture. Feel free to follow her on Facebook by clicking here. Contact her for more information on coaching by clicking here.
Read Part 2: Questions Every To-Be America-Bound Desi Spouse Should Ponder

Labels:

2 comments:

  1. Hi Jennifer,

    Become an apprentice - I am on a H4 Visa and would like to consider this option. Do you have any specific details on apprenticeship? There is also a Registered Apprenticeship program in the US from the Dept. of Labor. So is this a legal option on H4 visa? Would like to hear more information on this.

    ReplyDelete

  2. Thanks Guru.
    I did not know about this Registered Apprenticeship program. That sounds interesting.
    Maybe ask the department of labor directly. If they can not answer because of not understanding your immigration status, consult an immigration attorney. Maybe your spouse who is on H1 has access to one through his / her office place?
    It depends on so many factors, and I am not qualified to give you the right advice.
    Good luck. Do come back to let us know your findings.

    Thanks for spending time on my blog.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)