USA

The USA is one of the World’s largest and the best education systems, with programs across all disciplines. All the qualifications awarded by the USA universities are recognized throughout the world for its academic excellence.
The USA offers great educational choices and research universities that are dedicated to higher education and research.
It is the world leader in Technology Innovation.
It is the home for the most prestigious IVY League universities
The USA is one of the top destinations for international students also for its cultural experience. Its multicultural environment helps them to build relationships with people from around the world.
Many universities give an option to take up internships to kickstart the student’s professional career. The internships during the college help them to gain Hands-on Experience which will further help them to gain employment post their graduation.
The USA offers good financial assistance and scholarships for international students

Traditions & Culture: Though the USA culture is of Western origin it is also influenced by a multicultural spirit like the Native American, African, Asian, Pacific Island, and Latin American. Over a period of time the USA has developed its own social and cultural characteristics. Due to this large scale migration of people from diverse countries to the USA, they have an ethnically and racially diverse culture.

Food:Being one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, it has developed its distinct flavors. American cuisine is greatly influenced by Europeans and native Americans. The Hamburger and Apple Pie are the most popular. Not only can we find any food from any culture, but we also find a fusion of their culinary traditions.

Safety: the USA is one of the most friendly and safe countries with high standards of living. Universities are focused on maintaining round the clock security for their students. The USA universities are also ranked as among the best in the world for implementing effective safety measures on campus.

Welfare:

Health: The American healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Most of the campuses in the USA offer general medicals facilities and also have resident doctors. The cost of on-campus medicals services is not that high. All the students need to have an approved Health Insurance during their study period in the US.

Transport

Air

Due to its vast area, people usually travel by air within States as well as to other states. All the cities are well connected by Airplane.

Rail

Rail network was one of the most widely used once and was an important part of the nation’s transport network. All the cities and towns are well connected by rails and students are issued travel cards which come with many attractive discounts.

Bus

Busses are the most common mode of transport when traveling within the city or to the neighboring city if they have no provision for self-transport like cars. All the smaller and bigger towns are well connected by Busses. Busses are also used for intracity transport. Students can avail good discounts on their bus passes.

Metro

The USA has one of the largest metro systems in the world. At this time it can be found in 25 of the USA 50 states. The subway systems provide 24/7 service to all. This is one of the most widely used ways to transport in bigger cities like Chicago, NJ, NY, and Philadelphia.

Car

This is one of the most common ways and the most widely used mode of transport in the US. With the large road network, traveling by car has become one of the best modes of transport with in the city as well as other places.

Bachelor’s Degrees will cost a minimum of 18,000 $ to maximum 45, 000 $ per annum

Masters Degrees will cost a minimum of 16, 000$ per annum to a maximum of 55, 000 $

Living expenses for international students mostly vary based on the university location. Bigger cities like Boston, NY, NJ, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc are expensive compared to smaller cities.

The USA student visa is known as the F1 visa (for Long Term studies) or M1/J1 visa(vocations studies or exchange programs).

Before applying for a visa, the student needs to have an I-20 from a recognized US university and an active SEVIS number.

The student visa is issued over a face of face interview at the USA counselor office in their country.

Any student with a valid I-20 can schedule their interview at their local counselor’s office. The visa process typically takes 2 days with the Biometric appointment on the 1st day and the main visa interview on the 2nd day. Most of the decisions are taken on the spot, however, few cases which need further information can take anything between 1 week to 1 month.

Although the F1 study permit is given for 5 years the student will need to maintain their SEVIS status to keep their visa valid.

Housing Options:

On-Campus: Living on campus a very good way for you to become a part of the community. On campus, accommodation is usually in the form of Dorms, or Apartment style facilities with single or shared bedrooms and common kitchen and dining areas.

Off Campus Shared Apartments:Most Indian students prefer to live off campus in rented apartments/condos along with other international students. Off campus accommodation is a cheaper option then on-campus. Many universities offer guidance to students in finding off-campus housing.

Restricted items to bring to The USA:

• Cultural Artifacts
• Defense Articles
• Dog and Cat Fur
• Firearms
• Fish and Wildlife
• Food Products (Raw or cooked)
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Medication without a doctor prescription
• Pets
• Soil

Orientation Week: All institutions conduct an orientation for incoming students to ease their transition to the institute. During the orientation, students get to meet other international students and become familiar with the campus facilities and services. The orientation week will also help students to meet their academic counselors and register for classes.

Opening a bank account:To open an American Bank Account, the student will need his passport copy with a valid visa and the I-94 card issued at the port of entry. Accounts can be opened online or by visiting a bank branch. The universities will normally assist students in account opening and other formalities during the orientation week.

Being the world leader in proving quality education, the USA does offer job opportunities to students.

Any student with a valid F1 visa has the option to take up on-campus part-time work up to 20 hours a week duringyears of study. Universities provide options to work in the form of Teaching Assistantships/Research Assistantships.

Many students opt for internships and practical training which will prepare them to face the employers.

After 9 months of study in the USA, students have an option to take up OPT (off-campus work placement). To get an OPT approval the student need to secure employment option in a field directly related to his field of study. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months in total.

For students who have a work placement training as a part of their programs have an option to take up CPT (Curricular Placement Training) to work off-campus full time. The CPT Job offer must be in the major of study. Any student who takes up the CPT for 12months or more is not eligible to take up the OPT option.

OPT can be taken up before or after completing the program that the student is enrolled for.

Certain students who receive their degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)may be eligible for an additional OPT period of 24 months. The student can contact their University DSO to opt and apply for their CPT/OPT options.