COMMUNITY CHRONICLE: Computer courses, citizenship training offered for immigrants (03/12/06)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Computer courses, citizenship training offered for immigrants

by Lida Melnyk

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia-based United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, in partnership with Manor College, is now offering computer training courses for new immigrants from Ukraine, which are being held at the Manor College Computer Lab in Jenkintown, Pa., just outside of Philadelphia.

The first 16-week course took place in the fall of 2005. An English competency exam was a prerequisite of the course, but the course was taught by a bilingual instructor, Danylo Nysch, to assure full understanding. The course, "Bilingual Introduction to MS Office 2003," covered Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Access, as well as facility in Internet access, résumé writing and résumé posting.

The UUARC had intended to offer only one 15-student course for that semester, but the overwhelming response filled two sections, and 30 students were registered. The students earned a certificate of course completion as well as 4.8 Continuing Education Units, and were all very satisfied with the experience.

The students expressed gratitude to the UUARC with comments such as, "finally," "this was a very useful thing" and "they understood our needs."

The current computer course being offered through this program is "Bi-lingual MS Office 2003 - Advanced." It is geared for those students who desired to achieve a deeper knowledge of the programs. This course also is offered in cooperation with Manor College. The instructor is Borys Krotiak. Another introductory level course is planned for the fall.

The UUARC also continues to offer Citizenship Preparation Classes at the UUARC Headquarters, which are taught by Metodij Boretsky, head of the UUARC's Information Bureau. This is the eighth time the courses have been held at the UUARC, with excellent results. Immigrants are completely prepared to take the citizenship exam.

The requirements for applying for citizenship are a "green card" and four years' residence (two years if married to a U.S. citizen), but the courses can be taken slightly in advance. This course consists of 10 classes, from February 3 through April 7.

The UUARC is exploring the possibility of expanding both of these programs to areas throughout the United States where new immigrants have settled.

| Home Page |