Country overview
Creating a nation information for learning overseas at a top university in the USA is a complicated process. Not only are we referring to it all biggest nation (behind Italy, North america and Chinese suppliers, if you were interested) but the USA has a very innovative education and learning system that will vary across the nation. It might be better to think of the nation in small conditions, perhaps by area (for example north-east, north-west, south-west, deeply southern and mid-west). Even then there are features between declares that are hard to create generalizations. Having said that, we're going to try!
Education overview
The US has the most organizations and universities on the globe, six of which are in the top ten of this year's QS Globe University Rankings®: Stanford, MIT, Yale, the University of Chi town, the University of California, and Mexico. In complete there are lots of group and personal higher education businesses providing a range of programs that you could hardly think about. The first technique is to work out the kind of course that you'd most like to do and then keep in mind the cost.
Some personal organizations charge countless figures and lots of money while others, such as group organizations, frequent all over the nation, are a lesser amount of expensive. Healthcare research in the US vary from the globe. There are no undergrad medical levels (Northwestern being almost the only exception). Would-be doctors have to take another topic in their first level, while at the same time planning for and moving their MCAT - a nine-hour multiple-choice analyze - to obtain admission university of medicine. As a result, very few worldwide learners be present at US medical educational institutions - less than 0.5% of their sessions. Law research in the US are similar to medical research. There are no undergrad law levels. Students take a generous artistry level, while having to complete the LSAT analyze to obtain admission to law school.
There are popular hotbeds of learning. Birkenstock boston, and nearby Arlington, for example, have a incredible number of group and personal higher education organizations. It seems like every building around the Road of the Arts and Huntington Road, in Birkenstock boston is another higher education while Arlington, home to Stanford, has designed a huge regional professional area dedicated to providing for and providing the learners and team of the organizations.
New You are able to, Chi town, Los Angeles and Austin, tx, Florida, all have vast quantities of learners. For worldwide learners the image is not entirely favourable. It is not simple to get a charge to research in the USA, especially since access to the F-1 charge was made even more difficult in 2002. If you are serious about learning overseas at a top university in the USA, here is some advice: get as much information as you can from your regional US Embassy, complete everything you need properly in the best British you can collect and if you create the tiniest error, start over again. They will find any reason they can to refuse you a charge so don't create their job possible for them.
Pros and Cons | |
|---|---|
+ Large number of highly reputable universities
+ Well resourced private and public universities
+ Streamlined online admissions processes
+ Generally high quality campus support services for international students
+ English language-based
+ Strong employment opportunities
+ Many scholarships and financial aid for international students
|
- High tuition fees
- Low acceptance rate for international students
- Tough student visa requirements
- Difficult post-study visa situation for employment
- High competition for places on top courses
- High crime rate in some areas
|
International student accommodation
As an international student in the US, you will often begin your university life in a dorm - sharing with other like-minded international students who are new to the country, or you can usually opt to live with US students to get a better feel for the place. Aside from university housing, home-stays are also quite popular. This may range from being part of the family who will welcome you and incorporate you in their daily activities, to others who will simply rent a room on a tenant-landlord basis. Another form of university housing takes the form of fraternities and sororities which still form a fundamental part of student life on many US campuses. Whether it is Kappa, Delta or Gama, these college groups offer private buildings where you can party, or relax in smaller cohesive groups. It is a great way to get to know people and they offer alternative accommodation to university dorms.
Click here for more information, tips and advice on international student accommodation and university housing.
Weather/Climate
In a country of this size, weather patterns are incredibly varied. In the north-east, the weather is generally four-seasonal with very marked and distinct variations, particularly in New England. Spring and fall (autumn) are characterized by beautiful changes in leaf colours that have people from all over the world paying a visit. The interior mid-west, and north, have very pronounced and long winters and summers while spring and fall are much shorter seasons. The north-west seaboard and inland are affected more by rainfall and fog as warm sea air is forced up over the Rocky Mountains and is largely a temperate climate. The south-west presents fewer seasons and a dry desert climate with a large percentage of hot days and cold evenings. Further inland, in the south, you enter the plains with their blue overarching skies, hot summers and cool winters and, of course, a twister season that is famous across the world. The south-east is also hot and sunny in the summer, a Mediterranean-type climate, with cool winters and, of course, a hurricane season off the Atlantic that can present complications of its own, especially in Florida.
Transport
Trains/Air
Despite being the wealthiest country in the world, the US, with notable exceptions, does not have the world's best transport system. True, interior flights across the country link any city to another with one or no changes, and usually very cheaply. However, other options are harder to find. The train system is not the envy of the world and was not developed as comfortably or extensively as it was in Europe. It is said that most Americans haven't ever used a train, and generally only the major cities have subways, such as New York's famous metro, the 'T' in Boston and Chicago's well-known 'El' or elevated railway.
Despite being the wealthiest country in the world, the US, with notable exceptions, does not have the world's best transport system. True, interior flights across the country link any city to another with one or no changes, and usually very cheaply. However, other options are harder to find. The train system is not the envy of the world and was not developed as comfortably or extensively as it was in Europe. It is said that most Americans haven't ever used a train, and generally only the major cities have subways, such as New York's famous metro, the 'T' in Boston and Chicago's well-known 'El' or elevated railway.
Bus/Coach
The famous Greyhound buses, while providing passengers with an interesting experience, can take a very long time to get from A to B and may not be all that cost-effective when you take the food and drink you need into account.
The famous Greyhound buses, while providing passengers with an interesting experience, can take a very long time to get from A to B and may not be all that cost-effective when you take the food and drink you need into account.
Driving
It is the great American invention, the automobile, that dominates the US transport system and why oil is so important to the government there. If you are able to drive, bring your driver's license and, if possible, International Driver's License too. Each state has separate rules on driving so check your legality depending on where you are. Generally you are able to drive in the US quite easily. In Texas, for example, you can drive for up to three months but, if staying longer, you have to register for a Texas Driver's License for a small fee. Cars are inexpensive and, despite protestations by American drivers, gas (petrol) is far cheaper than in most other parts of the world. If you don't live in a big city you are going to need a car to get the best experience of America. If you can't drive, learn before you go. Or quickly find a friend that can!
It is the great American invention, the automobile, that dominates the US transport system and why oil is so important to the government there. If you are able to drive, bring your driver's license and, if possible, International Driver's License too. Each state has separate rules on driving so check your legality depending on where you are. Generally you are able to drive in the US quite easily. In Texas, for example, you can drive for up to three months but, if staying longer, you have to register for a Texas Driver's License for a small fee. Cars are inexpensive and, despite protestations by American drivers, gas (petrol) is far cheaper than in most other parts of the world. If you don't live in a big city you are going to need a car to get the best experience of America. If you can't drive, learn before you go. Or quickly find a friend that can!
Two countries divided by a common language
It is common knowledge that British and American English are quite different but, generally, you should be ok. If English is not your first language, keep persevering as most Americans will try their hardest to understand you. But just in case, here is a selection of words that are used in both languages.
| British | American |
| Pavement | Sidewalk |
| Petrol | Gas |
| Aluminium | Aluminum |
| Rubbish | Trash |
| (Car) boot | Trunk |
| (Car) bonnet | Hood |
| Trainers (shoes) | Sneakers |
| Full stop | Period |
| Quater past four | Quarter after four |
| What's up? | How are you? |
| What's the matter with you? | What's up? |
| Ground floor | First floor |
| Torch | Flashlight |
| Studied | Majored |
Cost*
| Item | Price |
| small bottle of beer | US$0.95 |
| souvenir t-shirt | US$10.00 |
| litre bottled water | US$0.95 |
| loaf of whole wheat bread | US$1.45 |
| New York hot dog | US$1.50 |
| litre of gas | US$1.55 |
| 1lb ground beef | US$1.85 |
| printing a roll of film | US$5.00 |
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet
Useful info
Dialing code: 1Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Time zone: GMT/UTC -5 (Eastern), GMT/UTC -6 (Central), GMT/UTC -7 (Mountain), GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Standard)
Time zone: GMT/UTC -5 (Eastern), GMT/UTC -6 (Central), GMT/UTC -7 (Mountain), GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Standard)
