<p>So an engineering firm gave me an internship for the summer. </p>
<p>They confirmed that I can start working from May 9th. So they bought me my plane ticket and I landed on the 8th here. Now, on the 9th, they tell me that I need to have "additional background checks". These are because I am an international and they apparently didnt know that. So, now Im in a village with nothing much going on, buying my own groceries, etc and still WITHOUT a definite date of when I can start working. </p>
<p>They clearly sent me emails that I am good to go from the security standpoint like months ago. Its their fault that they didnt know I had to have more forms. I am not getting paid or anything right now.</p>
<p>I am bored out of my mind. Nothing to do, no one I know. </p>
<p>What do you recommend I should do? Do I have a case for them to pay me money for something that is vividly ther mistake if I asked them?</p>
<p>Vividly? I think you are looking for a different word.</p>
<p>What are your other options? Can you go back home? If so, I would give them two weeks to figure it out. After that, I’d book a ticket, fly yourself home and send them a bill for your airfare and lodging for the two weeks. They might not pay it, but there is not much you can do in this situation unless you were promised something ahead of time.</p>
<p>Have you talked to them about this? Certainly someone must realize that you probably cannot afford to stay out there indefinitely? Most companies are more than willing to work with you on situations like this.</p>
<p>Security can be a tricky thing, and it is not all up to the company that is giving you the internship. You say the mistake is theirs, and I have no way of knowing, but ultimately it is the situation you have to deal with so try to make the best of it. I am sure that they will understand that you cannot live there without income, so let them know how long you can or will stay there without the job, and see if they can give you any estimate on how long it will take. Also, see if there is any non-cleared work you can do - they might be able to find something else that you can work on until your clearance comes through.</p>