Petition Letter
Dear Petitions Office,
I am writing to request an exception to the 6.0-unit transfer limit for credits completed via a Letter of Permission, due to exceptional health circumstances that prevent me from safely returning to Canada to complete my remaining courses. My health situation, which began in January 2022, has necessitated continuous medical care and impacted my academic journey, requiring that I remain under the close supervision of my medical team in Jordan for my health and safety.
In January 2022, I began experiencing severe health issues that initially went undiagnosed, which led to significant disruptions in my academic responsibilities. By April 2022, after extensive testing in both Canada and Jordan, I was formally diagnosed with cancer. My treatment involved several months of intensive chemotherapy, administered from May to August 2022 at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan. During this period, I was unable to fulfill my coursework obligations due to the physical demands of my treatment. After completing this initial round of chemotherapy, I returned to Canada in September 2022 with the intention to resume my studies; however, my health continued to deteriorate.
In September 2022, during a follow-up evaluation, my doctors determined that another round of chemotherapy was necessary. Although this treatment was less intensive, the cumulative toll of my illness severely impacted my academic performance. Following this, I began experiencing severe mental health challenges, including panic attacks and disorientation, which worsened over time. In February 2023, I sought treatment in Jordan, where I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. This led to my hospitalization at Al Rashid Hospital Center for Psychiatry in July 2023, where I remained for nearly eight months under intensive care. I was discharged in February 2024, but required another hospitalization from March to June 2024 for further stabilization.
Currently, my medical team has strongly advised that I remain in Jordan to avoid a potential relapse, as I require ongoing therapy and close medical supervision. At this stage, it is uncertain when I will fully recover or when it will be safe for me to leave the stable care environment I am currently in. Returning to Canada would pose significant health risks and could jeopardize my recovery.
To ensure continuity in my academic progress, I have already enrolled in six courses at Athabasca University during the summer term, and I submitted the Letter of Permission (LOP) for these courses in September. However, as the LOP was submitted retroactively, I understand that a petition is required to approve these credits. I have consulted with the LOP coordinator, who confirmed that these courses meet the eligibility requirements and will be transferable toward my Honours degree if this petition is granted.
Given these circumstances, I respectfully request permission to complete these final six courses online through Athabasca University. This arrangement would allow me to fulfill my degree requirements while prioritizing my health and safety, which remain paramount during this recovery period.
Thank you very much for considering my request, and please let me know if any additional documentation or information would be helpful.
Sincerely,
Saif Alzraigat
I am writing to request an exception to the 6.0-unit transfer limit for credits completed via a Letter of Permission, due to exceptional health circumstances that prevent me from safely returning to Canada to complete my remaining courses. My health situation, which began in January 2022, has necessitated continuous medical care and impacted my academic journey, requiring that I remain under the close supervision of my medical team in Jordan for my health and safety.
In January 2022, I began experiencing severe health issues that initially went undiagnosed, which led to significant disruptions in my academic responsibilities. By April 2022, after extensive testing in both Canada and Jordan, I was formally diagnosed with cancer. My treatment involved several months of intensive chemotherapy, administered from May to August 2022 at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan. During this period, I was unable to fulfill my coursework obligations due to the physical demands of my treatment. After completing this initial round of chemotherapy, I returned to Canada in September 2022 with the intention to resume my studies; however, my health continued to deteriorate.
In September 2022, during a follow-up evaluation, my doctors determined that another round of chemotherapy was necessary. Although this treatment was less intensive, the cumulative toll of my illness severely impacted my academic performance. Following this, I began experiencing severe mental health challenges, including panic attacks and disorientation, which worsened over time. In February 2023, I sought treatment in Jordan, where I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. This led to my hospitalization at Al Rashid Hospital Center for Psychiatry in July 2023, where I remained for nearly eight months under intensive care. I was discharged in February 2024, but required another hospitalization from March to June 2024 for further stabilization.
Currently, my medical team has strongly advised that I remain in Jordan to avoid a potential relapse, as I require ongoing therapy and close medical supervision. At this stage, it is uncertain when I will fully recover or when it will be safe for me to leave the stable care environment I am currently in. Returning to Canada would pose significant health risks and could jeopardize my recovery.
To ensure continuity in my academic progress, I have already enrolled in six courses at Athabasca University during the summer term, and I submitted the Letter of Permission (LOP) for these courses in September. However, as the LOP was submitted retroactively, I understand that a petition is required to approve these credits. I have consulted with the LOP coordinator, who confirmed that these courses meet the eligibility requirements and will be transferable toward my Honours degree if this petition is granted.
Given these circumstances, I respectfully request permission to complete these final six courses online through Athabasca University. This arrangement would allow me to fulfill my degree requirements while prioritizing my health and safety, which remain paramount during this recovery period.
Thank you very much for considering my request, and please let me know if any additional documentation or information would be helpful.
Sincerely,
Saif Alzraigat