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Petition Type: New
ID: 12435
Submitted: November 15, 2024 at 8:44:30 AM
First Name: Saif
Last Name: Alzraigat
Pronoun: Mr
Student Number: 20154424
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Applied Economics
Level of Study: 4

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution

Petition Letter

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

Academic Plan

Academic Plan: Plan for Achieving Academic Success

Dear Petitions Office,

I am writing to provide a detailed plan for achieving academic success should my petition be granted. My plan considers both my academic goals and the ongoing health challenges that require me to remain under medical supervision in Jordan. By balancing these priorities, I am confident in my ability to successfully complete my Honours degree.

Academic Plan:

To date, I have already completed two of the six courses I enrolled in at Athabasca University and am nearing the completion of the remaining four. These online courses are transferable toward my Honours degree and were designed to allow me the flexibility to manage my academic responsibilities alongside my recovery.

Once my petition is granted, I will work closely with Queen’s University academic advisors to finalize the transfer of credits and ensure all remaining degree requirements are met. My approach includes:
- Maintaining Consistency: I will continue adhering to the structured study schedule that has allowed me to make steady progress in my courses thus far.
- Leveraging Flexibility: The remote format of these courses ensures that I can adjust my workload as needed to accommodate my health-related appointments or recovery needs.
- Regular Communication with Advisors: I will keep in touch with Queen’s and Athabasca advisors to address any issues promptly and maintain alignment with my academic plan.

Personal Adjustments to Manage Ongoing Health Needs:

Given my medical circumstances, I am taking the following steps to ensure I can continue to recover while pursuing my academic goals:
- Regular Medical Care: I will remain in Jordan under the care of my medical team for therapy, medication adjustments, and follow-ups. This continuity is critical for my ongoing recovery and stability.
- Prioritizing Health: I will balance academic demands with sufficient rest and stress management practices such as mindfulness and light exercise, as recommended by my doctors.
- Stress Reduction: Studying remotely has already minimized the physical and emotional strain of travel, allowing me to focus on both my recovery and my academic progress.

Future Goals
My immediate goal is to successfully complete my Honours degree through these remaining courses. Doing so will allow me to resume my professional aspirations with the confidence that my academic and health priorities have been addressed. This plan provides the stability and flexibility necessary to support my long-term success, ensuring that I can continue to recover while fulfilling my educational objectives.

Thank you for considering this plan as part of my petition. I remain committed to achieving my academic goals and am happy to provide any additional details or documentation if required.

Sincerely,
Saif Alzraigat

Documentation

Professional Letter: Saif-DrMaenNovember2024.pdf