FEMA Independent Studies help

[Cryohead]

So I live in the EU and don't have an SSN. EMI says on their website that only a US Citizen would get credit for the tests. Now I still tried to apply and got the following answer:


"Emergency Management Institute courses are generally available to U.S. citizen only. Attendees are expected to have full knowledge of and experience with, U.S. governmental and political systems and are based on U.S. specific legislation, regulations and systems. Thus, most EMI courses are not appropriate for foreign participants.



Due to the fact non-US citizens do not have a social security number but will be assigned a unique student identifier if approved for training, the NETC policy at this time for a Non-US Citizen to take Independent Study (IS) courses is as follows:



1) The non-US citizen must have a United States government organization as a sponsor (i.e., fire department, police department, state emergency organization).



2) The sponsoring organization must make a written request on their official organization letterhead, a sample of the request will be supplied upon email request to removed@dhs.gov."


Could anyone give me some advice on this one? I mean surely calling a random FD/PD/etc in the US would be ridiculous and they would most likely send me the heck away. Surely there has to be some way for a student to take those courses. Anyone with more info on this please?

[larry7crys]

Have you ever visited the US? What country in the EU are you from? I'm pretty sure that there are some places ready to sponsor you, so you should ask your ambassy here in the US for more guidance. They could direct you to a league or a local union and try to sponsor you. I really don't understand why you would need FEMA credits from the US to help your education in the EU. Good Luck!

[Cryohead]

Well, because I'm planning on enrolling to TESC or Excelsior. I am from Hungary btw. It seems that I could do the CLEP exams in Rome, even though I'll have to travel 800 miles, omg, but still at least there's some chance to do them in Europe. DSST exams can be taken, in theory, in the Czech Republic at a university. We'll see. I am also planning on taking the New York University language proficiency exam, it turns out it can be, in theory, done in Europe aslo. Well, that would give me 16 points. I really would like to earn the FEMA credits, it would help me a lot financially. I need a BS/BA as soon as I can get it.

Turns out nearly anything can be done in the EU (CLEPS, AP, GRE Subject test, DSST etc.) that is needed to get an "exam based degree" except for the FEMA credits. I wish I could somehow become eligible.

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Have you ever visited the US? What country in the EU are you from? I'm pretty sure that there are some places ready to sponsor you, so you should ask your ambassy here in the US for more guidance. They could direct you to a league or a local union and try to sponsor you. I really don't understand why you would need FEMA credits from the US to help your education in the EU. Good Luck!

No, I haven never been to the US. Probably never will because I would need a VISA. Once when the US goverment will lift the ban I'll probably go. Would be nice to go to work there, I don't have much here that would force me to stay anyway. Well, what do you mean by "there are some places ready to sponsor me"? I mean why would they help someone who's not even eligible to enter the country? Still, it would be nice. So as I said I would like to use the credits toward a BS/BA. Yeah, even though I live within the EU, I am still only a second (or third) grade citizen here.

[Kelley]

Once idea that comes to my mind is to go to and get involved with your local fire department or any type of emergency management organization that is in your country. If you are involved in the type of work or volunteering it would show a greater need to use the resources that FEMA could offer you.

I have been raised in a fire department family and we have had members of other country's fire departments visit so it is not uncommon for fire departments in the US to develop relationship with departments overseas, I agree that a call to the embassy would be a great idea.

You may not have the time to go this route but it's an idea to throw in the mix. Good Luck with your progress!!

Kelley

[ImustStudy]

Originally Posted by Cryohead

Well, because I'm planning on enrolling to TESC or Excelsior. I am from Hungary btw. It seems that I could do the CLEP exams in Rome, even though I'll have to travel 800 miles, omg, but still at least there's some chance to do them in Europe.

Rather than travel 800 miles for the CLEP each time in europe, perhaps you could schedule a trip to the US And get a student visa. There is one person on this forum who will be completing his degree in 60 days entirely by testing out. This would also help you with your FEMA credits as well. If you decide to visit, send me an instant message.

[Cryohead]

Thank you both!