Want to Study in USA? Know these 11 Things First.

Many dream to study abroad, especially due to the quality of education. In fact, several students wish to pursue their degrees and doctorates in the United States. So if you are one of them and have set out a plan to study in USA, then you are ready to go. But wait, let us first tell you 11 things that you must know about studying in the United States.

Let’s get started!

1. Punctuality is the key.

When you plan to study in USA, you must know that punctuality is the key. This means that people, including professors, will look down on you if you are late to classes. Truth be told, you should try arriving at least 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the session. And since punctuality is highly regarded, you will always have a positive impression on your professors.

2. Go for the subway.

While you may be tempted to travel by cab, it is best to use the subway to travel from one place to another. This will save you a lot of money. And since the cost of studying in USA for international students is high, saving every penny counts. Besides, all colleges and schools are usually located closer to the stations so everyone can have access to public transport.

3. Tip your waiter.

While it is not necessary that the country you come from to give tips to the waiters, tipping them is a part of the culture in the US. So when you are done with your meal at a restaurant, do not forget to tip the waiter. Knowing this will save you from the possible embarrassment when you go out with your friends.

4. Studying in the US is expensive.

While you might already be aware that pursuing a degree in the US is expensive, you might not be aware of the extent. Well, it is not just the tuition fee, your living expenses, including accommodation, food, and weekends out with friends - everything will be pricey. You can also study in USA with scholarship. Look for relevant programs and see if you are eligible for the same.

5. Study material won’t come cheap.

Oftentimes, the textbooks that you need for reference are expensive. Nonetheless, you can consider borrowing, issuing books from the library, or purchasing second-hand study material. This will save you a lot of money.

6. It isn’t just university, it’s college also.

Before you get confused, let us make it clear to you - the terms university and college are used interchangeably in the United States. This means that all institutions for higher studies can be referred to as universities and colleges.

7. Indulge in sport.

Playing basketball or baseball in college does not merely mean that you are into sport; it means that you are blending in with other students on campus. And trust us, playing a sport in college is a major part of the university experience. So try not to miss it while you are in the US.

8. Driving in the States.

Unlike India, the US has a left-hand-driving rule. This means that you will have to drive on the right side of the road. In fact, there are some places where honking isn’t permitted either. So before you plan on driving in the country, make sure that you are aware of all the rules.

9. English proficiency is a must.

Since the medium for teaching will be the English language, you will be required to take IELTS or an equivalent that demonstrates your proficiency in the language. However, there are ways to study in USA without IELTS. In case you wish to know these, you can check with your university counselor.

10. You are flexible to change your majors.

One of the best things about studying in the US is the flexibility universities offer. For instance, if you aren’t sure about the major you have chosen and have already been enrolled in, it is not a problem. You can change the major as per your need. Moreover, as an exchange student, you can also switch universities if you are eligible for the same based on their criteria.

11. No global health insurance.

Unlike other nations, the US does not offer global health insurance. This means that your insurance won’t be applicable here as well. Thus, you should discuss this with your insurance planner prior to moving to the States.

Conclusion

Studying abroad for Indian students is not easy, especially when it comes to the US. While there are several factors like weather that people are usually aware of, there are some aspects that they must know before switching countries. Thus, to make it easier, we shared 11 things in this article that students must know before beginning their studies in the USA.