USA – Essential Guide for International Students

By
Content Team
-

General Information

Currency: United States Dollar (USD) – this is approx. 1.26USD to every 1GBP
National language: English
Geography: Made up of 50 states and various territories
Time in Capital City: GMT -4
Climate: the USA is so huge so there are frozen wastelands, scorching deserts, non-stop rain or perfect sun depending on where you go.
Population: 327 million

Annual Costs (approx.):

  • University Cost (USD): $24,914
  • Living Costs (USD): $11,658
  • Total Cost (USD): $36,564

Top Universities:

Click on the University name to be taken to their website.

  1. Princeton University, NJ
  2. Harvard University, MA
  3. Columbia University, NY
  4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MA
  5. The University of Chicago, IL
  6. Yale University, CT
  7. Stanford University, CA
  8. Duke University, NC
  9. The University of Pennsylvania, PA
  10. John Hopkins University, MD

Applying to Universities and Visas

Most universities in the US require foreign applicants to take an English as a second language test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), these are to be completed around a year before you study.

For all other universities, the application deadline is often in January – seven months before you intend to start university.

There are three types of visas for international students in the US: F1 for academic studies; J1 for practical training not available in your home country; and M1 for vocational studies.

Things You HAVE To Do:

  • Route 66 – the most famous and iconic road trip in the entire world. Route 66 takes around 2 weeks to do, including rests. It takes you from Chicago to LA, and you will see some amazing sites such as the painted desert and even a meteor crater!
  • Statue of Liberty – no trip to America would be complete without a trip to Lady Liberty herself. You can get a boat ride around the statue to see her in all of her glory.
  • Disneyland Florida – the most magical place on Earth, Disneyland does not disappoint. Fun for all the family, fun activities, and beautiful Floridian weather.
  • Hollywood sign – an absolute icon, the Hollywood sign is a must see. There is a beautiful hike you can go up to the sign, and you get an excellent view of tinsel town from the top.
  • Yellowstone National Park – or any of America’s national parks. They boast some of the most stunning scenery in the entire world. Gorgeous trails, amazing views, and endless wildlife.

Quick tips:

  • 911 is the emergency number in the US
  • Tipping is required and is seen as rude not to do it. 15-20% is the standard for tipping in restaurants.
  • Make sure you have health and travel insurance before your visit – health care costs are some of the highest in the world here.
  • The prices shown for items in shops are excluding the tax, so estimate that your item will cost 10% more than it appears
  • The US is one of only a few countries to still use the Imperial system. So, think of height in feet, distance in miles, the temperature in Fahrenheit, and weight in pounds

Useful Links