Travelling to a foreign country to study is an exciting and rewarding experience, especially if you choose to go to the United States. The US boasts some of the best colleges and universities in the world because professors from all over the globe can be found in their classrooms, laboratories, theaters, and concert halls.
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1. A Semester Abroad in theUnited States
2. Travelling to a foreign country tostudy is an exciting and
rewardingexperience, especially if you choose to goto the United
States. The US boasts someof the best colleges and universities in
theworld because professors from all over theglobe can be found in
their classrooms,laboratories, theaters, and concert halls.However,
if you decide to study at a USinstitution of higher education, it
is
3. important to prepare well in advance,even if you are only
there for a few shortweeks or an entire semester. It isimportant to
understand student visas,local laws, and insurance. Student visas
are required for foreignstudents to study in the United States.
Inorder to obtain a student visa, you mustfirst be accepted into a
United Statesschool. The college or university that
4. accepted you will provide the properdocuments necessary to
apply for astudent visa. As soon as you receive theseforms, fill
them out and send them backas soon as possible. The earlier, the
better! You can learn more about theprocess and requirements for
applying fora student visa here: US Department ofState Bureau of
Consular Affairs.
5. Before going to the United States,learn the law. Even though
you are not acitizen, you are still required to abide bythe laws
that govern the United States.For instance, if you live in a
country thatdoes not have a minimum drinking age,you should know
that the US does notallow anyone under the age of 21 to buy
orconsume alcohol, and you cannot servealcohol to anyone under 21
years old.
6. Also, there is a minimum age forbuying cigarettes (19 years
old). It isimportant to also find out the local lawsspecific to the
city and state where youwill be studying. Some laws are unique
tothe area where you will be living.
7. You are not allowed to enroll forclasses in any United
States school with-out proof of insurance. Applying
forInternational Student Insurance USAcosts less than applying for
the insuranceprovided by the college or university youwill be
attending. You can find information onInternational Student
Insurance USA onthe web.
8. It is wise to obtain student travelinsurance. In the event
that you get sickor injured while in the United States,student
travel insurance can reduce thecost of medical bills. Will an
American hospital take my health insurance if I am visiting the
USA? Sadly, this is a question that few ask.The United States is a
popular vacationdestination, with millions of people
9. visiting each year. Yet, how many ofthese travelers know
that their healthinsurance will not pay for medical billsaccrued
while visiting the United States? Most people do not realize that
theirpersonal health insurance policies arepowerless the moment
they step outsidetheir native country. Of course, there area few
exceptions, and there may be somepolicies that cover medical bills
in some
10. foreign countries and not others. Butbottom line is that
countless businesstravelers and tourists come to visit theUnited
States every year, completely un-aware that they are taking a huge
risk:were they to require emergency medicaltreatment, they would be
stuck with pay-ing for those costly medical
expensesthemselves.
11. Also, if you need to cancel your trip,you can apply for
insurance that covers upto a certain amount of the trip, so that
youdo not lose all of your money if you nolonger can travel abroad
for any reason(this is only for those who plan on beingin the US
for 30 days are less).
12. Those are just some tips forensuring that you are well
prepared foryour study abroad. Another piece ofadvice: family
members such as yourmother or father should obtain
currentpassports. In case of an emergency, theycan travel to the
United States as quicklyas possible if they have current
passports.Also, understand the currency rates andhow your countrys
money measures up
13. to the US dollar. Find out what kind offees credit cards
may hold for exchangingcurrency. It is also extremely importantto
know how to protect yourself and yourpossessions. For instance,
never travelalone at night, and have a safe to keepexpensive items
or important documentssuch as your passport and cash.
14. Above all, have fun! By choosing tostudy abroad in the
United States, youhave given yourself the opportunity toexplore a
whole new world, to learn theAmerican culture, and to
experienceexactly why so many students like youchoose the United
States as their studyabroad location.
15. For more information about international travel insurance
andinternational student insurance USA, please check out
www.zinternationalinsurance.com