- To view our essential guide to the UK, click here.
- To view our essential guide to Hong Kong, click here.
- To view our essential guide to Australia, click here.
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.
- Princeton University, NJ
- Harvard University, MA
- Columbia University, NY
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MA
- The University of Chicago, IL
- Yale University, CT
- Stanford University, CA
- Duke University, NC
- The University of Pennsylvania, PA
- 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