1.
Finding accommodation
Don’t
have a family or friends with whom you can live with when you study in America?
Check out the accommodation options below.
·
On-campus dormitory
Living in a dormitory has a
lot of advantages. It removes the need to commute to and fro the campus. It
puts you in a place where you can easily engage in campus activities and access
your university’s facilities. If your school offers on-campus lodging, apply
immediately after admission. Don’t assume that you’re automatically reserved a
dorm room because you’re an international student.
·
Apartment
Not up to following dorm
curfews? Consider leasing an apartment. It might be more expensive compared with
on-campus accommodation, but the freedom it provides is often worth it. Choose
your apartment wisely. Ask around and find off-campus housing providers that
really care for their tenants.
·
Homestay
A homestay arrangement
happens when an international student stays with an American family for the
duration of his or her program. It’s an accommodation option that mostly only
available for students that are not older than 18.
2.
Getting to know the college life in the US
Universities
in the US are certainly different from those in the Philippines. Here are some
things about college life in America that’ll surprise you.
·
The
academic year is usually either divided into semesters (in which you have
midterms and then finals) or into quarters (each capped off by finals).
·
College
social scenes are not always frat-based. They vary from school to school. Some
are wild and liberal while some are formal and conservative. Some are frat- or
sorority-centered while others are sports- or organization-focused.
·
You
don’t have to settle on a major immediately. If you’re not sure on what course
you want to pursue, you have until the end of your sophomore year to decide.
·
Engaging
in extracurricular activities is a must. These can help you develop your
skills, gain experience, meet new people, and expand your network. You don’t
have to participate in an activity that’s in line with your major. Join one
that catches your interest and learn a new skill!
Still
attending classes at the IELTS review center in Manila?
Ask your instructors for their movie and book recommendations for people aiming
for the US. Watch programs set in an American university to get to know college
culture.
3.
Adjusting
to know your new place
Preparing
for your life as an international student shouldn’t be limited to getting to
know the American college system. You should also study up on the other aspects
of life abroad. Below are the basics of the US transport system, weather, and
currency.
Regarding transportation
Commutes
in America are more efficient and extensive compared with commutes in the
Philippines. You can travel by bicycle, bus, train, and subway. If you live
off-campus, consider all the possible routes you can take going to school.
Explore your transportation options.
Regarding the weather
There
are four seasons in America, and they usually follow the schedule below.
·
Spring
– March to May
·
Summer
– June to August
·
Autumn
– September to November
·
Winter
– December to February
To
understand the weather in the US, you must know that the time and attributes of
the seasons vary from place to place.
Winter
in the southern states, for instance, is fairly mild compared with the heavy
snow and cold temperatures experienced in the northern states. Southern states
during the summer, on the other hand, often experience extremely high
temperatures while northern states experience a fairly warm climate.
Regarding money
The
United States Dollar (USD) is the official currency of America. Here are the
different kinds of USD bills and coins.
USD notes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100
USD coins:
·
Penny
– 1 cent
·
Nickel
– 5 cents
·
Dime
– 10 cents
·
Quarter
– 25 cents
·
Half
Dollar – 50 cents
·
Dollar
coin - $1
Memorize
these figures before leaving the Philippines to reduce transaction blunders. Also,
take note of the many names (e.g., bucks, cash, greenbacks, etc.) that US
currency can take. If you’re still taking IELTS review classes,
add US currency to your must-learn vocabulary list.
Knowing what to
expect when you move to America will help you ease into your new life faster.
So, do your homework. Research about life in the US before you leave the
Philippines—or, even better—during your IELTS review period,
so you can hit the ground running when you start your college life abroad.
References:
"Accommodation Options for US Schools | Study in the
USA." International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/way-of-life/accommodation/.
Cooke, Daniel. "Studying in America: The College
Experience." The Independent. September 23, 2013. Accessed March 19, 2018.
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/study-abroad/studying-in-america-the-college-experience-8835048.html.
Dawson, Rich. "The Top 10 Myths About Attending
University in America." CollegeXpress. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/international-students/articles/campus-life-culture-shock/top-10-myths-about-universities-and-colleges-america/.
Diane, and University Language. "Types of US
Currency." The Campus Commons. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/us-currency/.
"Graduate Study in the US: Guide for International
Students." Top Universities. November 01, 2016. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/north-america/united-states/graduate-study-us-guide-international-students.
Pranabudi, Indira. "What to Know About the U.S.
College Experience Before Applying." U.S. News & World Report.
Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/international-student-counsel/2014/09/09/what-to-know-about-the-us-college-experience-before-applying.
"Public Transport in the USA." InterNations.
Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internations.org/usa-expats/guide/29462-transport-driving/public-transport-in-the-usa-16259.
"Student Accommodations—International Student Travel
Center." International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/travel/accommodations/.
"Study in the USA Guide for International Students."
International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/.
"Survival Guide for International Students: Your First
168 Hours in the United States." Times Higher Education (THE). September
14, 2016. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/survival-guide-international-students-your-first-168-hours-united-states.
