GREAT BAY:--- Head of Civil Registry; Leona Marlin-Romeo has been conducting informational workshops with students studying abroad at the University of St. Martin over the past few days.
Marlin-Romeo in a statement says that given her experience as past Regional Coordinator for Students studying in the Netherlands, in addition to complaints and feedback provided by the students as well as civil registries in countries where St. Maarten students relocate to study.
"I have received a lot of complaints and heard of situations in which our students, especially those who are holders of Dutch Passports but born of foreign parents, have major problems in being registered abroad," she said. "The purpose of these workshops are to highlight key areas to look out for and to properly inform them of the relevant documents they must acquire and travel with for their registration process abroad. Based on my experience from my previous role as a Regional Coordinator, I know how hard it can be for students who have to send back home to get a legal document once they have left the island, so to make the process smoother and less stressful for the student who by then will have other crucial matters to deal with, I am hoping that these three days of one on one sessions will properly prepare them for the process of not only registering in another country but also of writing themselves out of St. Maarten while you are studying away."
Marlin-Romeo who was accompanied by one of her staff; Tamara Bell urged the students to have all their important documents like birth certificates properly translated and notarized, ensure that their passports are renewed and even explained that her department; the Census Office has extended their opening hours on Wednesdays to accommodate and facilitate students who are traveling to study with the renewal and acquiring of these documents.
The workshop which ends on Friday, are so far well attended and have attracted students and prospective students travelling in and outside of the Kingdom to study. Marlin-Romeo is also advising all parents and or guardians to get familiar with the process so that they can also assist their child in their relocation and settling process.
"It is hard enough that they have to leave home, the place they have been all their life and to move to a foreign country where in most cases the process is entirely different from here in St. Maarten," she said. "So in these meetings I offer advice, solution and support to these students so that the transition is as easy as possible."
