Studying in the US is nothing short of an adventure. In fact, it’s pretty much the American spirit and characteristic to always live life with a sense of adventure. International students who want to study in the US need to learn and understand the way of American life. Knowing and being aware beforehand can help you settle easily and quickly after arriving in the US.
In this blog, we hope to guide you with the living standards here, the USA study visa process, and your chances to gain a scholarship to study in the USA.
What living in the US is like for international students
It may be a little overwhelming at first but not impossible to get familiar with your surroundings. American culture has been nurtured by the values and belief systems of almost all parts of the world. If you are an international student, this diversity will prove valuable for you.
Also, as you choose to live in a completely different environment, you may deal with new situations daily. However, if you select a city in the US that resembles your home country in more ways than one, you may find comfort in the existing similarities.
To select a place in the US is a journey in itself. Before you can figure out which place is great for you based on the university, cost of living, people, culture, etc., you need to first discover your interests. Identifying your interests, personality, style of living and what resonates with a particular place or lifestyle in the US can help you decide a place that’s right for you, faster. Once you know what you want to accomplish in terms of your career as well, you can pick the right place to study, live and grow in the States.
Culture shock and other factors that can influence your stay
Like any other country, the one apart from your origin country is going to be different in many ways. Some international students can easily adapt, while some take time. It all depends on whether the similarities of your lifestyle match with that of the way of living in the US.
Culture Shock
The culture shock in the US can influence you in varying degrees, depending on your country of origin. People in the US will practice different habits from yours, so make sure to do your homework before leaving your home country. Talk to a few international students on social media groups who have been living in the US for quite some time. You could understand and learn from them the ways in which you can prepare yourself for that life.
Transportation, Accommodation, and safety issues
There are several options when it comes to deciding where you will live to study in the US. Be it on or off campus, in a city or suburb, transportation options will be available to you for getting around in the US.
When it comes to safety issues, you can make note of emergency contacts. You can also store the contacts of trusted friends whom you can rely on to help you in any way.
Money Matters
The US currency runs on a decimal system. It will be different from the way you use currency back home. So, one dollar ($1 or $1.00) equals one hundred cents. The coin currency will be used for amounts less than one dollar, that is:
- penny equals one cent or 0.01 dollars
- nickel equals five cents or 0.05 dollars
- dime equals ten cents or 0.10 dollars
- quarter equals twenty-five cents or 0.25 dollars
It will take a few days to get used to the new currency and as you keep using it for various transactions. For example, you will find that a can of cola from a vending machine costs $1. At the same time, you may find that two dollars for the same item is expensive.
Academic excellence in the US
The US is home to some of the finest universities, which ranks highly in the world university rankings. Education institutes in America also have high academic standards, follow rigorous practices to ensure quality, and are well-supported to offer an excellent education to their students. The Times Higher Education Ranking has ranked eight of the American universities in its top 10 list of universities.
American universities and colleges advocate a flexible system of education and offer a myriad of courses and programs to study in the US. You have the freedom to select the course content and the structure based on your interests.
At the undergraduate level, you can pursue different courses before you declare your major while you near the completion of your second year. This process helps you to effectively explore your subject interests and then decide without any hassles or confusion.
Similarly, for your graduate studies, you can select your preference. When you proceed to your dissertation, you can figure out the ideas upon which you prefer to work.
American universities understand the challenges of international students as they originate from different countries. Therefore, they conduct regular orientation programs, workshops and training to provide assistance for international students to settle well in the university.
The international student office helps and guides students like you to get familiarised with your new surroundings and to a new kind of lifestyle. Be it an academic query, cultural or social clarity, the staff will always be around to assist you.
Getting a scholarship to study in the USA can be significantly helpful if you require financial assistance. Obtaining a scholarship to study in the US takes time for approval as it is competitive. International students with good grades and who are athletically inclined are likely to get a scholarship above others.
There are also various document submissions required to deal with your USA study visa process. You can reach out to our immigration consultants to get the necessary guidance and advice you need.