9 May 2021
By Roger Jones
roger@TheCork.ie
If you are an international student in the United States, there are several things you should know. While studying in a new country is an adventure, you will need to make certain adjustments. Most local students in the US are used to the study structure. As a student from the UK, there is a chance that you may find difficulty in adapting to specific language patterns and conversational phrases.
You would also have to manage several other aspects of your life like food, stay, rent, travel, and getting along with people from different nationalities and cultures. The United States is a melting pot of ethnicities. Most universities see a lot of international students from all walks of life. If you’re lucky enough to be studying in one of the top universities in America, there is a high possibility that you will see more international students than local students.
Many students prefer selecting the US as they plan to study and work there in the foreseeable future. Many eventually choose to migrate and settle in the country. If you’re someone who wants to immigrate to the United States, you should hire well-reputed, excellent US Immigration lawyers for all your legal paperwork.
Let us look at some valuable tips for international students studying in the USA.
Join Student Clubs and Organizations
It is essential to socialize with like-minded people and make long-lasting friendships. Studying all day will become tedious if you do not get time to unwind and meet friends. Many schools, colleges, and universities have clubs, groups, sports-based meets, religious activity centres, and so on for their students.
Apart from these, you can also be a part of an academic club like the math club or science, journalism, and much more. Most of the groups are very welcoming towards new students. Some even have resources and tools that can help you settle down quickly. These programs and groups also offer a fantastic opportunity to learn about American culture. You will also meet students from different backgrounds and countries.
Use Campus Residence
Most universities have on-site residential complexes, houses, or ensuites for their students. These may be individual or sharing (based upon your budget). As a new student, you should opt for campus residence since you will meet many other like-minded people at the same place. Most campus residences have their own security, Wi-Fi connectivity, a small study area or mini library, and a cafeteria.
When you are settling in for the first time in a new country, having these resources at your disposal will prove a valuable asset. Since the first year in a new country and university is the hardest, having safe and secure lodgings and other international students around you will make the journey easy.
Use Campus Resources
Most large colleges and universities in the US have an office for international students. As an international student, you can use the resources available at this centre. Some of the assistance that these offices include (but not limited to) housing, adjusting to a new culture, study help, language help, and others.
All college campuses have study areas and libraries. You should use the offline and online resources available to you at all times without spending extra money. Many international students find the cost of purchasing reference books to be very high. If this is the case, you should borrow the books from the university library and renew them as you need each month. This will also help you get oriented with the library and its resources and will help you focus on the course work while saving money.
Eat Healthy and Stay Fit
As an international student living away from home and family, one of the first things that come to mind is eating. Eating healthy, taking care of yourself, and exercising each day is as crucial as getting good grades. Most students get so lost in student life, studying, partying, and meeting new people, that they forget the basics. Eating healthy and staying fit is crucial.
Most colleges have a gym on campus (with a membership fee). If this works in your favour, you should take a gym membership. But if this does not fit your budget or schedule, you should try to get as much fresh air as possible (either walking or running).
Maintain a Balance
As you slowly settle into American life, you should find a balance between studying, working part-time, making time for family and friends, and socializing with your peers. You should also try and mingle with people outside your culture and nationality to build fabulous relationships in the future.
