As someone considering the idea of studying abroad, you may be feeling an array of thoughts and emotions. It’s exciting. However, before you make the ultimate leap, there are many things to prepare for in advance. To help you ensure you have a pleasant study abroad experience, here are some things to help get you ready:
Educate yourself on requirements
You’ll want to make sure you find out what is needed for your specific goals. When studying in a foreign country, you’ll need to make sure you get the correct visa. As you start researching, keep in mind that some types of student visas won’t allow you to work while studying, but others will enable some kind of internships and OPT with your F-1 visa.
Whatever your goals may be, study on visa requirements that can help you get there, such as becoming an opt international student.
Get accepted into a school
To get the student visa you want, you’ll need to apply to schools in the country. An acceptance letter from a school authorized to accept international students will be required when you fill out your student visa application. Keep in mind that finding and getting accepted by a school in the U.S. can be a time-consuming process, so start your search as soon as possible.
Research public transport
Once you get accepted by a school and have the visa process underway (better yet, an approved visa), check out the location of your new university or college and get educated on the public transport in that city.
Unlike many foreign countries, the U.S. doesn’t have the best public transport system in all its cities. Bigger cities like New York City or Los Angeles are well-connected, but other smaller towns are not. In some cases, you may need to lease or rent a car if your lodging is too far from your school.
Look for lodging
As mentioned above, public transport in the U.S. can be hit or miss. If you’re not staying in dorms at your university, make sure to look for places to rent near your school to make it easier for you to get to your classes and public transport. Whether this looks like renting a room with classmates or renting student lodging in the city, there are affordable and reliable options.
Prepare financially
Studying abroad may not be the most affordable way to study, but it can certainly be worth it, especially if it opens the door to further your career in a country like the U.S. However, you need to be prepared financially, especially as getting accepted for a student visa will be dependent on your ability to cover costs in the U.S.
The cost of living may also be higher than what you’re used to in your home country. Keep in mind that you may qualify for scholarships as an international student, so make sure you try to apply when looking for a school.
In Conclusion
If you have dreams of making it far in your career, you may find that studying abroad could be just what you need to make it big. With the possibility of networking and finding a beginning to your career through a school in the U.S., the idea of studying abroad may be one of your big goals.
The steps above are just a few ways to get ready for studying in the U.S. Make sure to do plenty of research on visa requirements to have a pleasant and smooth experience going to school in the U.S.
