International students form a large percentage of the student population in the United States of America across academic disciplines and universities. Securing admission in a US-based university is a matter of happiness and pride for every student.
Individuals applying to educational institutions in the USA set big dreams of acquiring knowledge and skills for building a rewarding career in the field of their choice. During their stay in the USA, international students face a lot of difficulties, as their life takes a 360-degree turn. Along with the materialistic aspect, they also experience a change in the cultural aspect of their life.
If you are studying or are planning to study as an international student in the USA, you might be having a ton of questions in your mind. Amidst your struggle to score good grades and adjusting to a new environment, it’s not easy for you to focus on other essential points. Being a promising company for providing job opportunities and career counseling to international students in the USA, we don’t want you to suffer after landing in the United States due to a lack of preparation.
So, we have curated a list of some wonderful tips that you can follow for not just surviving but thriving in the United States of America.
Use these Survival Tips for International Students while studying in the USA
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Chalk out Arrangements for Moving
You have to live in the USA for at least 3 or 4 years for completing your higher education in a university located over here. Students, who aspire to pursue more than the one-degree program at the same or different education levels, have to stay for even more than 5 years in this country.
Therefore, you should make concrete arrangements for living comfortably. Before moving to the USA for joining your college, you need to arrange accommodation. You can find various options for accommodation and select the most suitable option for you.
Next, you should make arrangements for food. If you are planning to rent an apartment, you can carry some raw food items with you. Think about whether you need any furniture or kitchen equipment. You should make a file for keeping all important documents, viz., college admission letter, passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Kristin Savage, a contributing writer to ClassyEssay writing service says “In many cases, choosing a place to stay over the internet can come with consequences. You’ll end up having high expectations and the situation can disappoint you a lot more than it should. Living near campus might be convenient, but it could be dangerous if you don’t know the city well.”
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Buy a Health Insurance Plan
The United States of America has a very peculiar healthcare system that can be understood only by conducting due research. You must have a student health insurance plan that covers medical emergencies you might encounter while studying in the USA.
You should find out about the health insurance plans offered by different insurance companies for international students. Then, you need to study all plans and shortlist a few of them. After careful analysis, choose a budget-friendly plan that caters to your specific requirements without strict regulations.
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Formulate a Clear Budget
A complicated affair like pursuing education in a foreign country requires creating a well-structured budget to avoid inconvenience. You should note down the expenses that you will incur while living in the USA, ranging from tuition fees and stationery material to rent and food.
You also need to account for occasional expenses, such as watching movies, shopping, partying, and so on. While you may not be earning immediately after reaching the country, you can consider probable income from jobs that you can carry out during vacation or breaks.
Bills for electricity, phone, gas, internet, and other utilities also have to be paid by you if you rent a place to live. Learn about the cost of living in the city you would stay in. Form a habit of keeping a diary for recording the inflow and outflow of money on a daily basis. Making a budget helps you stay organized.
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Register for SIM Card & Bank Account
The sim card you use in your home country cannot be used once you land in the United States of America. So, you should submit the necessary documents and buy a SIM card within the shortest possible time of entering this country. You can choose one from prepaid and contract plans.
As far as a cell phone or a device is concerned, you can bring one from your home country or buy a new one after coming to the USA. Having a bank account is equally important as having a registered mobile phone number for international students.
You should assess different types of accounts that you can open in banks situated in the USA. Opening an account in a bank branch that is located in close proximity to your college or apartment is advisable. Keep your debit card safely with you at all times.
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Gain Knowledge of your Surroundings
After reaching your place of accommodation and visiting your college or university, you might need a little rest. After spending a few hours or days resting, you should finish important tasks, like unpacking and opening a bank account.
At the end of your first week or beginning of your second week in the USA, you should gain knowledge of your surroundings, i.e., localities of college and apartment. Being new in the city, you should be aware of the directions to travel safely and easily.
You need to inquire about the public transportation system, libraries, book stores, grocery stores, clinics, and cafes present in the area where you live. You can also find out about other places that interest you, for example, shopping malls, clubs, etc.
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Apply for SSN and Driver’s License
Most of the international students in the USA work on an on-campus or an off-campus job during official school breaks and weekends to earn some money. Studying and living in this country is expensive, and so, any income generated by students helps them a lot.
But any paid employment attracts the deduction of taxes. In the USA, citizens, permanent residents, and non-immigrants should have a social security number (SSN) in order to pay taxes. Whenever you start working, ensure getting an SSN.
Now, working within the premises of an employer requires you to travel from one location to another. The workplace of many students is located far away from their college dormitory or apartment. In such a case, having a driver’s license can save you a lot of hassle. You can apply for a driver’s license by showing your social security number and a few other documents.
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Make Friends but Practice Safety
At times, you might feel homesick, overwhelmed, or frustrated trying to cope up with a new lifestyle and people. Discussing your feelings with your friends can help you stay mentally healthy. You should make friends in your college and your neighborhood.
Participating in events organized by your college is a great way of meeting new people and bonding with them. You can even join a sports team, a theatre group, or a gym in your college. Take part in competitions arranged on the college campus, for example, debate competition.
Every few days, visit places of entertainment or eateries with your friends to take a little break from studies and other routine activities. However, you should practice safety while making new friends. Don’t trust anyone blindly. Always share the information about ‘where’ and ‘with whom’ you are going with someone you trust in your home country or the USA.
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Stay Happy and Positive
Missing family and friends is a common phenomenon observed in the case of international students. But you need to stay happy so as to concentrate on your studies and achieve your goals. Whenever you find it hard to focus on your coursework or extra-curricular activities due to missing someone, talk to friends you have made in the USA.
You can eat the food you like at a restaurant or by preparing it at your home. Visit the local park to get some fresh air. Needless to say, you can always call or message your family and friends back home. The unfamiliar environment is one of the reasons why international students miss their loved ones.
So, accepting the US culture and getting acquainted with new people can smoothen your stay. Every once in awhile, evaluate your progress and take pride in your accomplishments to stay motivated. You can also seek the help of professors and designated school official in your college.
Conclusion
Staying away from family and homeland is a sacrifice every international student makes for turning their dreams into reality. To ensure that this sacrifice doesn’t get wasted, you should not let anything come between you and your dreams. Along with working hard, you should also enjoy during your stay in the USA to build some beautiful memories that you can cherish throughout your life.
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