Students thank for orientation program

Foreign students are getting a local helping hand. The students picked up a survival guide Wednesday for working and living in Rehoboth Beach.

The booklets have local laws and safety rules written in four languages. Rehoboth Beach residents put the guide together. They also hope to make a database of the students who come from all over the world.

The orientation program gave students information about safety, banking accounts and even where to turn for medical help.

For veteran international students, housing used to be the most difficult part of the process.

"We lived with Russians in their living room, we lived with some Americans- four persons in a room- so last year was not very good concerning the housing and now we are good," said Florina Moldovan who is starting on her second stay in Rehoboth Beach.

Moldovan said the new resort orientation program is also helping students sail through the adjustment process.

"I saw persons from banks here and they told us how to open an account and put our money there and from medical centers I saw people, they told us how to take care of us," she said.

Lidia Chistik, another international student, said the students also received potentially lifesaving information.

"In my country we don't have to wear helmets and here it's necessary, so it's a good idea," she said. "They also explained the rules of how you behave on the road."

Also on hand were officials with the Social Security Administration. Spokesman Ben Shamburger alerted the students about the importance of Social Security cards and how to get them.

"I you work without having a valid Social Security number then you are not legally working in this country and when you're not legally working in this country," he said. "Very simply, you're breaking the law."

For more information about the orientation program, contact the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at (302)227-2233.

source: www.wboc.com