If you’re reading this, it may be the first time you have entered the United States for education and career advancement. In that case – congratulations! You’ve taken the first step in starting a new life, one that will hopefully end with a strong degree and stronger career prospects.
ISO is filled with international student origin stories, as we were international students ourselves once! During this hectic transitioning period to your school, it can be easy to overlook even the simplest of tasks, so let us give you a helping hand in how to prepare for your time as a new student in the US.
School Application Requirements
The application process for an American college will set the ball rolling on your student journey. Various schooling levels like graduate and undergraduate may have different deadlines listed in their applications, which also change if you are applying either in the spring or fall semester, and if you’re involved in different programs.
In order to obtain a US student visa, you will need to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) – approved school. Once you are enrolled, you will be registered into SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), which is the system running this program, and you’ll receive a Form I-20 from the school you apply to – this will contain information about your study completion dates and is necessary when going for your visa interview.
Before Leaving Your Home Country
After you’ve finished your application for your school, you’ll need to turn your attention to obtaining your visa to enter the country. This is a time-sensitive process and means constantly checking the status of certain documents, like your Form I-94, which indicates your visa status and allows you entrance to the United States as a valid holder.
Other requirements you will need to keep track of include:
- Language proficiency documents
- Transcripts
- Application fees
- Your passport (also ensuring that it is not expired)
- Embassy interview status
- Documents showing financial status
- Medical requirements including vaccinations and checkups
Some of the above requirements will relate to your acceptance to the college of your choice, like language and medical requirement documents, while others are more intended for visa application purposes. You’ll have ensure your documents are sent according to their respective deadlines.
Receiving a visa may also take some time, which can be dependent on the type of visa you have, and when you can receive your visa interview. For example, while an F1 student may receive a congratulatory response regarding their visa right after their interview, it can take up to 104 calendar days in some cases to set up and wait for an appointment beforehand.
As a final transitioning tip – don’t completely shut out memories of your home country. It is important to spring into a new life with readiness, but some mementos, no matter how small, help to better manage those bouts of homesickness we all get from time to time.
Getting Settled In: The Basics
There are a few things that you should ensure that you either have or are on top of before beginning your studies. These include, but are not limited to:
- Housing/housing essentials
- School supplies
- Personal necessities
- Health insurance
As college students, you should first be aware of the various deals that are available for you. It is easy to fall into the trap of buying the first thing you see while shopping, but the path of restraint is lined with opportunities for cheaper digital subscriptions, travel, school supplies, and day to day shopping. Additionally, it is helpful to use public marketplace options like Facebook or eBay, where bartering for lower prices is not only acceptable, but also encouraged.
Remember also that some items, specifically your clothes, will need to best fit the environment of your destination – it’s probably not the greatest idea to bring your entire jacket collection to a school in Arizona. Specific clothing recommendations and other packing tips can be found here.
School Transitioning
Your school will give you many opportunities at the beginning of your time there to get used to how their systems and culture work, including new student orientations and organized social events. Take it upon yourself to make the most of at least some of these events – you’ll learn about the school you attend, while also providing opportunities to make new friends.
Additionally, get to know your student government! They will be around often in those beginning months when you’re completely new and need a familiar face to turn to after orientation. While these individuals are useful for your initial transition, it does not hurt to also ask others like professors and advisors questions about schedule creation, locations of your classes, and professor recommendations.
At this point on, you can proceed with your international student journey in the direction you’ve intended. The job you’ve done so far will allow you to reach unimaginable heights over the course of your stay, so take full advantage while you’re here!
As described earlier, one of the items you need to monitor when you enter the US is your health insurance. ISO provides plans that meet many school’s requirements and provide some of the best cost-affordable insurance options nationwide, so enrollment is encouraged right before you enter school!
