It’s no wonder that the country that gave us the most Nobel laureates, the USA, is the most preferred study location among internationals with 13 cities enlisted in the ‘QS best students cities’ index. The Department of Homeland security reports an international population of 1.2 million in the United States. Among the many cities providing world-class training and research-oriented learning, New York, Texas, and California see an increased international student flow.
The hype around international life, the abundance of choice, and the responsibility of adulting may leave you astray. But, living and studying in the US can be both fun and fruitful if you prepare yourself for it. So, here’s a glimpse of the life of an international student in the US.
The Educational System in the USA:
From implementing cutting-edge technology to interactive live sessions, the US abides by the promise of providing world-class training and skill development. Some of the prestigious institutes in the world like Stanford University, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are located in the USA, where thousands of students graduate in traditional and advanced courses every year.
The Americans don’t believe in fitting in; they believe in standing out. This is very well reflected in the friendly and flexible educational system. Each course is tailor-made for students, and they have the liberty to mix different disciplines according to their chosen career path. Moreover, the growth of startup industries and the boost of research fields set the platform right for the students to stretch to their full potential.
Student housing for international students:
With the perpetual rise of students comes the demand for friendly and affordable accommodation close to University. Selecting suitable housing is as profound as choosing the right course or the University since it’s the ground all your activities are centred around. There are mainly three kinds of student accommodation in the US.
The on-campus housing includes University dormitories booked directly through college sites at a low price. Though it provides an accessible platform for interaction, you may have to put up with the bustling doorways and people constantly hanging around. While most of the freshers prefer to stay in dorms to socialise and interact, they tend to move out to private studios with their friends in their second year. Some of the best studio apartments near Chicago have shared kitchen, bathroom, and common areas for refreshment and leisure activities. It provides a perfect mix to enjoy your social life without having to compromise your privacy.
Suppose you like the warmth of a family around till you adapt to the new place. In that case, you can opt for homestays where you live with a local family sharing basic amenities and facilities with the family members. It’s easy to find a house once you have settled on the type of neighbourhood, commute, and company.
Commute options and places to visit:
Depending on the distance of your house and the University, you may have to rely on different modes of transportation for your daily commute. You can take a ride on your bike or car to get to lectures or a quick walk if you stay close to the campus. Apart from the study hours, you have metro, train, bus, taxi or subways to get around the city with your bunch of friends. You can also lease a vehicle for a weekend getaway if you don’t have enough money to buy one.
Most of the major cities in the USA have subway stations, which is the cheapest way to travel for a student. So, you can stroll around the streets of Houston, spend a lovely evening at Times Square, enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the Grand Canyon, and savour the spicy hamburger and sweet apple pie.
Cost of living in the US:
Due to the diversity of the country, the cost of living in the USA varies across regions pertaining to a number of factors like the industrial growth, political situation and the general lifestyle of the area. Living cost has many faucets like accommodation, tuition fees, transportation, meals, essential services, entertainment and monthly subscriptions. The average monthly expense can range from $800-1300 in a rural area to $2500-4000 in an urban area.
Most of the Universities offer merit-based financial aids to motivated and skilled students hailing from across the globe. Moving to a new place can be heavy on your pocket. Do the research, plan a budget, stick to it, and remember to keep aside emergency funds. Think of ways to save money such as volunteering, catering, tutoring or internships.
How can Amberstudent help you?
We at AmberStudent serve millions of students worldwide by providing the best options and rewarding experience because we apprehend its value. We are upgraded with the latest COVID protocols and would be more than happy to assist you in booking your ideal home.
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Arya Antherjanam V (Content and SEO Executive at AmberStudent)
Arya Antherjanam V, dropped her research studies in Physics to take up writing full time. A content writer by day, a poet by night, and a performer on weekends, she delivers SEO-optimized content and creates engaging copies.
Google Source: All about staying in the USA for foreign students
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