Study Guide to USA for international students
America is a fabulous country. Being a diverse country, the United States is the safest place for students, particularly from India, and there is no need for any fear of racism. So in that sense, the US is a safe country for Indian students. If you have decided to study in the US, your choice of destination country needs no validation as the US is considered the best study abroad destination. Not to justify your choice but to further strengthen your decision, we at Studyabroad.shiksha.com have compiled a few reasons why considering the US as your study abroad destination is a wise decision. Although the reasons to consider a country may differ widely among students, there are a few standout features that make every place different than others. Below are a few of the reasons why going to the US to study might be a really good decision. In this study guide to USA for international students, we will inform you of everything you need to know for studying in the USA. From popular universities to lifestyle tips, accommodation, to the admission process.
Programs to fit your needs
The US offers a very diverse range of higher education options compared to any other country in the world. With such wide options for learning opportunities, no matter what your ability or ambitions are, there will be some perfect course for you. Many of the universities in USA customize a few of their courses for international students as well.
Flexibility
In America, it is very common to change university after two years of study while pursuing undergraduate courses within the same faculty. Most institutions accept credits from other universities for the same course. So you are not required to complete all four years of study in the same college to finish your degree. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to transfer your credits to a higher-ranked institution, given if you have good enough grades.
Students who are planning to join an undergraduate course but have not decided their major's yet can apply for the program and choose their major later. Also, students have the choice to pick credits from other departments of their interest.
You Can Extend Your Reach and Network
This applies not just to the US, but to any study abroad destination country. Networking is an important part of every career and finding the right connections leads them to further heights in their career. Those who have international living or work experience and are multilingual will have a huge advantage over other people in the job market. At American universities, the chances of you coming across well-known names in the industry are very high. That will be crucial once you have hands-on field experience.
Diversity and Variety
You can study at a large public university or college or if you prefer a smaller community, you may choose a small private university. People in the US also vary among each other a lot. Along with American citizens, you will come across diverse cultures like Mexicans, Asians along with Indians. There is a strong Indian community in the US. Essentially, the USA is a multiracial society that is still absorbing new immigrants, which makes it a continuous melting pot of communities and cultures; an experience that will enrich your understanding of the world.
How to study in the USA from India?
Study in the USA for Indian Students
Indians are usually the top recipient of high-skilled H-1B visas and are also the second-largest community of international students staying in the US. The US government records claim that immigrants from India are better educated, more likely to have strong English language skills, arrive on employment-based visas, and are less likely to live below the poverty line than the overall immigrant population. Many Indians work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Most Indian immigrants stay in California, Texas, and New Jersey.
The education system in the USA
US Education system – Many students who are going to pursue their higher studies in the US must be surprised to know that the US has no education system. The Federal government can influence education only by the funding it offers, but this is limited. Unlike CBSE board examinations in India, there is no national high school graduation examination. There are, however, state graduation examinations, and students must pass these. At the higher education level, students have a wide range of options when they choose a college or university. Although there are agencies that attempt to rank American colleges and universities, the concept of 'fit' is also important. The GPA* of admitted students is important, but majors offered, location, the number of students enrolled, and campus culture are all factors influencing a prospective student’s decision. Some colleges and universities are publicly funded, while others are privately supported. Read: Education System in USA
*GPA means grade point average. It is the average of all grades received.
Popular student destinations: Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, and Stanford University are some of the top universities in the US (in no particular order). The area of New England on the east coast of the US is the center of all its renowned academic institutes. Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Boston, New York, Cambridge, Old Saybrook, and New Haven. Approximately, 193,124 Indian students were studying in the US during the academic year 2019-20. Business Management, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media, Physical and Life Sciences are the popular courses Indian students pursue in the US.
Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA
State School/college/University
The US comprises of 50 states, each state-run at least one university or college for providing quality higher education to students at low rates. These universities are funded by the respective state governments and are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University. Different schools have different selection criteria and students need to have a certain minimum percentage for admission to colleges in USA.
Private university/college
These institutions are run privately and are considered costly as compared to state schools.
Community Colleges
Community colleges offer two-year certification or associate degree which is transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges in order to complete their degree. They are allowed to transfer the credits which they have earned in the community college. Community colleges offer ESL courses or other programs which prepare students for studying university-level courses.
Technology Institutes
These are the institutes that provide four-year courses related to science and technology.
Liberal Arts College
Students pursuing a liberal arts degree focus on a subject of their choice, a 'major' but they are also required to take General Education courses in almost all of the other subjects offered. Liberal arts schools usually offer one expansive area of study whereas universities offer the same major in two or more degree areas. A student can major in Mathematics but can still choose an engineering career.
About the US
Southwest - The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas. The average temperature in summers would be around 40°C to 25°C; in winters it would be around 18°C to 4°C.
Southeast - The southeast has a warm to hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charleston. The average temperature in summers is around 35°C to 25°C; in winters it is around 10°C to 0°C.
Midwest - The Midwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England regions have a humid climate and cover cities like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. The average temperature in summers is around 28°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 0°C to -9°C.
Atlantic Coast - The central plains and East Coast have a temperate humid climate and cover cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati, and NYC. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.
Pacific Northwest - The Pacific Northwest has an oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, and Portland. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.
Lifestyle tips – The United States is a dynamic country, covering the breadth of a continent. Many cultural currents exist and coexist within American life. To mingle with the local crowd, you need to keep in mind that the lifestyle of Americans is a lot different than Indians. You need to include more activities in your life if you really want to get to know and meet new people.
Know about Professional Sports - One way to break the ice with the locals is to talk about professional sports like NFL or NBA or any other local sports. Sports play an important role in mingling with locals.
Outdoor activities – Americans love spending their time outdoors and prefer taking part in outdoor sports and games. Their lifestyles are more active and they prefer spending time meeting new people and trying out a new and different set of skills.
Music Concerts, Night Life – Every weekend people go to social events like music concerts and performances or maybe just going to a bar to watch a game.
