Life in the USA

Introduction

The United States of America (USA) is the topmost preferred location to study abroad by students globally. The country with its highly esteemed institutions and reputation claims the top spot in renowned education and professional hubs.

Life in the USA is not only enriching, but helps the international community feel more at ease with its ‘melting pot’ culture. The country is large and diverse enough to suit the various requirements of international students/professionals. 

With a plethora of academic and professional opportunities to explore, it is understandable why the USA is always the first choice of any aspiring scholar. Learn more about the prospects you can enjoy in the country!

Why Choose the USA?
Education

The QS World Rankings is almost saturated with premier USA universities such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, Princeton and Yale. It is the dream of several students to be a part of these institutes and the enriching campus life scene they offer.

Given their reputation, the USA hosts a large immigrant student population from all over the world. The ocean of opportunities is accessible to international students and professionals who would like to study and work in the country, while living a high-quality lifestyle in the USA.

You might be tempted to stay for long while you study in the USA. After all, the lifestyle, diverse culture and above-average incomes are important considerations that determine the quality of life. 

You can access all these premier opportunities and more if you possess sufficient documentation. Our experts are available to answer your queries on how to gain USA citizenship and apply for visas.

Part-Time Work Opportunities

If you wish to imbibe yourself completely in the USA lifestyle, you should work a part-time job while pursuing your educational programmes. This will help you gain experience with the country’s strict work ethic and help you network beyond your campus.

However, there are certain rules you need to abide by. International students in the US can only work up to 20 hours/ week. According to the country’s visa guidelines, 1st year students in educational programmes are eligible for on-campus jobs only.

You can pick from a menu of job choices available in US universities. Students can work as library monitors, peer tutors, teaching assistants and as campus tech support members to earn a sufficient stipend.

Student-professionals are eligible to receive no less than 85% of the minimum wage stipulated. The employers have to be certified by the Department of Labor to offer you this cover.

The US’ Student Visa Policy
F1 Student Visa
  • To ensure that you are supported by adequate legal permits to work and study, you would need to apply for a visa first and foremost. The F1 student visa is mandatory for all students who are enrolled in a course that requires more than 18 dedicated hours of study.\

  • All students admitted in undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes in any American institute are required to hold an F1 visa.

J1 Exchange Visitor Visa
  • If you are a part of a student exchange programme or are a visiting scholar, you would need to apply for a J1 exchange visitor visa. These are non-immigrant visas that apply to tenured study and work related commitments.

  • All J-1 non-immigrants are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This is different from an F1 student visa.

  • You may go through the detailed rules and guidelines about the student visa here.

M1 vocational/non-academic student visa
  • The M1 visa category applies to students who are enrolled in technical and vocational courses under a legally certified education provider in the USA.

  • The provisions and application rules for M1 are the same as the F1 student visa. However, the most significant difference is that M1 holders cannot overstay in the USA and have to return back after the completion of your course.

Post-study work visa
  • An F1 student visa holder can gain the permission to work for a year after their course of study completes. For a post-study work permit, you would have to apply under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) category if you want to pick a job in the field you have pursued your education.

  • The OPT extension is available for 12 months in general. This can be extended to a period of 24 months if you are pursuing a degree or a course in any STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

  • STEM graduates have the edge of staying in the US for 3 years after the completion of their courses. OPT is mandatory for all international students and is exclusive of the candidate’s degree requirements, unlike the CPT category.

  • The CPT visas are for those students whose degree explicitly demands  them to do internships and employment training in their field of study. Unlike OPT, a CPT category visa does not require any application fees.

Visas for Family Members

If you wish to bring your families along while you study in the USA, you would need to apply for a separate visa for them. These requirements are-

  • If you are a part of a student exchange programme or are a visiting scholar, you would need to apply for a J1 exchange visitor visa. These are non-immigrant visas that apply to tenured study and work related commitments.
  • All J-1 non-immigrants are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This is different from an F1 student visa.
  • You may go through the detailed rules and guidelines about the student visa here.
Visa Extension
  • Registering for an F2 visa if you are the family of an F1 visa holder scholar. Unlike F1 visa holders, F2 visa recipients do not have the right to work in the US. However, they can accompany their F1 visa holder relatives/spouses or can apply for their own visa if they want to work or study in the country.

  •  For J-1 category holders, spouses/families/dependents of such individuals have to secure a J-2 visa. These visa holders can work in the USA for the duration of their stay but need an advance permission for the same.

Student Support Centres and NGOs in the USA
  • As a student studying in the USA, you would require some support to overcome the hurdles you face in navigating the country’s system of laws and policies. These student support centers and NGOs advocate for your rights related to health and safety in the US and can also provide assistance in the form of scholarships or counseling.
  • You may approach the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website to understand these support programmes and agencies. In case of an emergency, you can also contact the support center of your university or education provider.
  • You can dial 911 if you are in a dire situation involving a crime or any disaster.
List of Student NGOs in the USA

Adequate financial assistance and money management are key concerns for students studying in the US. You may connect with the following organizations to get some help about grants, scholarships and funding.

  • AAUW Education Foundation
  • EducationUSA
  • Federal Student Aid
  • Institute for International Education
Health and Safety in the USA
  • International students might face difficulties in availing sufficient healthcare coverage. Healthcare is generally expensive in the USA and is not supported by the country’s government. As an immigrant student, you need to look at a comprehensive list of private healthcare providers or contact your university for a medical insurance plan.
  •  Several premier educational providers grant a range of medical insurance plans along with on-campus facilities. Availing healthcare might be costly, but it is a wise option if you wish to save up on medical costs while studying and working in the USA.
Wrapping Up

Life in the USA comes with several perks and is a huge opportunity for the students who are able to get a chance to work and study in the country. Having essential documentation is important to make your stay comfortable without any major troubles.

To enjoy the full potential of these possibilities, you can enlist the help of our experts to understand the details more precisely.