|
| USA
: Living In America |
| Living
in America |
You are about
to embark on a totally new experience. Things
will not be the same in the United States as
they are in India. So be prepared to deal with
those differences. Here are a few things you
ought to know.
Culture
New challenges always
accompany new experiences. Occasionally in the
United States, you may feel confused, unsure
and uncomfortable. You'll realise that people
have different values, and strange new ways
of doing things. Everything will seem changed,
including your immediate support system of family
and friends.
All of these things may contribute to culture
shock. Keep in touch with family and friends
back home is a good way to minimize the shock.
However, it is also important to identify new
sources of support. For example, keep in touch
with relatives or friends who live in the States,
to ask for their advice.
Here's
another way to go about it. You could continue
to practice your own faith on a regular basis,
with a group of like-minded people. Or maybe
you enjoy jogging or playing chess. While these
activities will most likely be somewhat 'Americanized,'
it may offer a comforting glance at the good
old days back home.
During
your transition from India to the U.S., new
support will most likely come from the admissions
office or international student office at the
school campus. Most offices coordinate orientation
sessions for new students within the first few
days of arrival, to help you get acquainted
with your new surroundings.
The most important thing
is to open yourself to new experiences; be prepared
to learn, not only in the classroom, but in
your interactions with new people everyday.
Don't hesitate
to make friends
This is easier said than
done, that too on a foreign land. But you must
take the initiative to meet people. Because
of the American value of independence, Americans
will not always be looking out for you, or making
sure that you get acquainted with other people.
They just assume you are taking care of yourself.
If you don't it's ok to ask for help when you
need it! You can also join groups in order to
get acquainted.
Though
you'll live, eat and study together with other
students, true friendship will take time to
build. You will realize, maybe for the first
time, how much time it took to nurture the friendships
back home in India. Then you'll appreciate the
time and energy it takes to establish close
friendships, both at home and abroad.
Social Life
Your social life is an
integral part of your stay in the United States.
To make the most of it, get ready to introduce
yourself in a positive way to fellow students,
professors, and other people both on and off
campus.
One of your first introductions to social life
on a U.S. campus will most likely be 'The International
Student Orientation Programme,' traditionally
coordinated by the Admissions Office or the
Office of International Programmes. Orientation
varies greatly from school to school, though
the objectives are the same: to introduce the
new non-U.S. students to each other, and to
prepare them for campus life.
Topics include
immigration, academic advisors, computer and
library resources, telephone services, public
safety, medical services, banking options and
department store. During orientation, students
often learn of upcoming activities such as trips
to local points of attraction.
U.S. college and university campuses abound
with activities designed to foster friendships.
Many schools have a 'Student Activities Center'
where you can learn of different options, such
as student government, the newspaper staff,
outdoors club, chorus, dance, and a number of
athletic teams. Explore to find one that suits
you best!
Greetings
When you first arrive
on campus, you may notice how friendly everyone
is. People you don't know will smile and say
"Hi" and "How are you" and "How's it going."
But it's more of a statement than a question.
They keep on walking and don't seem to wait
for your answer. You may get the idea they are
superficial or perhaps even rude.
However, to Americans,
this kind of greeting and behavior is considered
very friendly. They feel they are being outgoing
and welcoming. This kind of greeting is a social
custom, which has little to do with friendship.
The person may become your friend eventually,
but it is important not to misunderstand their
way.
Inexpensive ways of communicating
One of the newest forms of
communication is also one of the most popular
on many U.S. campuses. Through your interaction
with admissions offices in the States, you may
already understand that practically everyone
uses e-mail frequently.
E-mail
and the Internet have made it much easier (and
sometimes less expensive) to exchange all types
of information. Once you arrive in the States,
you will find that computers and Internet connections
are very accessible on most campuses.
However, try to resist
the urge to spend too many hours in front of
the computer; keep in mind that your visit to
the U.S. may not last forever, so go out and
socialize with people nearby, to get a full
American experience.
Accommodations
Finding a place to live
will be one of the first important tasks you'll
face in the States. Research a number of options
before you arrive via e-mail communication with
the International Student Office, or by browsing
the Internet for local on-line newspapers in
the region of the school you choose. You can
get a 'flavor' of the community by reading the
local news, and you may even be able to search
the classified advertising section for accommodations
options.
On-Campus
Accommodations
Once you are enrolled
in a U.S. school, their Admissions Department
or International Student Office will send you
a 'pre-departure orientation' packet. Options
for where to live are generally included in
this information.
Some
schools in the States offer accommodations for
international students on-campus, or near the
school. 'Dormitories' are buildings with many
rooms for sleeping and living, often with two
or three people (of the same gender) per room.
Dormitory residents typically share large bathrooms.
Many first-year students prefer to live in on-campus
dormitories because they are convenient to both
academic and social activities. Another advantage
is that you will not need to commute to campus,
in most instances. On-campus accommodations
also offer close proximity to the cafeteria
and other eating establishments.
Off-Campus Accommodations
Some U.S. schools do
not provide on-campus accommodations for international
students. However, there is an off-campus housing
office, which will assist you in finding an
accommodation. The office helps students find
a roommate to share expenses; they also provide
information about the local neighborhoods, including
popular restaurants, shopping areas, parks and
public transportation.
Ask new friends and other students if they have
any suggestions for a good apartment. Check
classified advertisements in the local newspaper
(Sundays usually have more apartment listings
than other days of the week). If all else fails,
contact a real estate agent for assistance.
Before committing to
a lease, or an agreement to rent an apartment
it will be a good idea to spend some time in
the area to decide if it feels safe and convenient.
Read the lease carefully before signing. You
will learn, for example, that the landlord is
not responsible for your possessions if they
are stolen or destroyed, so you may consider
purchasing 'renter's insurance.' If you do not
understand any part of the lease agreement,
ask the landlord or a friend to explain it to
you.
Food
U.S. colleges and universities
offer very flexible meal-plan programmes, where
you can choose to pay in advance for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. On most campuses, you may
also deposit a certain amount of money at the
beginning of the semester for food that you
may buy from designated places; each item's
cost is deducted from the balance in your account
throughout the semester. Again, your pre-departure
orientation packet will probably detail your
eating options.
The
food in served in the dorms is not exactly the
best. There are a few Indian restaurants but
eating out is an expensive proposition. However,
if you are staying off campus in a rented apartment
you have the choice of cooking for yourself.
Settling In
Moving into a dormitory
is relatively simple. You'll have ready to use
electricity and telephone connections. Every
college in the U.S. has its own policy on paying
for long-distance telephone charges. Get to
know those policies soon after you arrive on
campus.
Settling
on an off-campus accommodation is a bit complicated.
You have a choice of long-distance carriers
for your telephone service. Be sure to ask the
customer service representatives about special
discount calling plans, particularly for international
connections. After you register for telephone
service, you'll receive a free telephone directory.
Within the directory, you will find the white
pages (listing local residents alphabetically
by name), the blue pages (government listings),
and the yellow pages (business listings and
advertisements).
In most cases, the least expensive way to keep
in touch with far-away friends and family is
via e-mail. Again, every school in the U.S.
has its own policies and procedures for accessing
the Internet. If you choose to access your own
e-mail off-campus, you can expect to pay about
$20 per month to an Internet
Service Provider.
Health Care On- and Off-Campus
Because health care for a
major accident or illness can cost hundreds
of thousands of dollars, most Americans have
health insurance to minimize the costs.
During your first week
on campus, take a copy of your medical records
(including immunization and vaccination records
and prescriptions) to the school's health care
center or infirmary. Most campuses offer some
type of general medical care; services vary
from basic first-aid and treatment of minor
ailments, to sophisticated multi-doctor primary
care centers offering x-rays, laboratory tests,
prescription drugs and access to specialists.
The cost of on-campus medical services is normally
not very expensive.
Unusual
health hazards in the United States are rare;
tap water, for example, is safe to drink nationwide.
The 911 or 0 (zero) emergency telephone system
is also widely available.
Health
Insurance
Many colleges and universities
have their own health insurance plans for their
students. Larger U.S. schools tend to have better
international student insurance programs than
smaller schools. Participation in the plan is
often mandatory, especially for non-U.S. students.
The International Student Office at your new
institution will be able to help you find a
suitable plan that fits your needs.
A number of private
companies offer insurance plans specifically
designed for international students. Quality
varies, so request advice from the on-campus
International Student Office and other international
students -- especially students who have had
experience with insurance claims.
Important
questions to consider:
* Does the health insurance
plan cover both accidents and sicknesses?
* Does the plan cover costs incurred outside
of a hospital setting?
* Which doctors or hospitals does the plan recognize?
* What exactly are the exclusions and limitations?
International students
are responsible for the expenses they incur
while in the United States. As such, U.S. law
requires universities to verify that international
students on J-1 visas (and their J-2 dependents)
have health insurance before allowing them to
enroll. The most important thing you can do
is learn more; study the details of your insurance
plan, and get familiar with its rules and regulations.
Also, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle to
minimize your chances of illness or injury that
may require medical treatment.
Safety
In general, though, the
U.S. is a safe place to live. However it is
still a good idea to educate yourself and take
steps to reduce the potential for problems.
By doing so, you will also feel more confident
and comfortable.
Getting
street smarts will take time. It comes through
experience. Pay close attention to your surroundings.
Trust your instincts. If a situation appears
scary to you, avoid it.
Familiarize yourself with well-lit paths and
sidewalks on campus. The school's security office
may offer an escort service, where designated
people walk with you from one place to another
on campus, particularly at night.
Where you stay (an apartment, private residence
or dormitory room), keep your doors and large
windows locked. Get to know your neighbors.
Money Matters
Paying for quality education
in the United States can be very expensive.
But with proper preparation, you can minimize
the costs. Let's explore money matters that
you may encounter on a daily basis during your
stay in the States.
U.S. Currency
One dollar ($1) equals
one hundred cents. Coin currency is used for
amounts less than one dollar; the most common
coins and their equivalencies follow:
- Penny equals one cent or
0.01 dollars
- Nickel equals five cents
or 0.05 dollars
- Dime equals ten cents or
0.10 dollars
- Quarter equals twenty-five
cents or 0.25 dollars
It may take a few days to
get used to the new currency. You will learn,
for example, that 50 cents is a reasonable price
for a can of cola out of a vending machine;
two dollars for the same item is expensive.
Five dollars for a pizza is inexpensive, while
twelve dollars is expensive. Most banks and
some major airports and hotels exchange foreign
paper currency for a service fee.
Traveler's Checks
It is not advisable to carry
a lot of cash on you, or to send cash through
the mail. Traveler's checks are one of the safest
and easiest ways to transport money, because
you may have them replaced if they get lost
or stolen. If you choose to carry traveler's
checks with you from India to the States, be
sure they are denominated in U.S. funds. Most
businesses -- except taxi drivers and public
transportation personnel -- will accept U.S.-denominated
traveler's checks. It is wise to bring about
$100 with you in U.S. cash, so you will be able
to manage upon your arrival in the States.
Opening an account
Within the first few
days of your arrival, you can open an account
with a bank near the campus. You can directly
deposit traveler's checks for free in most cases,
or arrange for a wire transfer from your home
bank for a fee of about $35. Be sure to always
have sufficient funds in your account to cover
all outstanding checks; if you 'overdraw,' the
bank may impose expensive fees.
You need some
form of identification to open a checking account.
The bank representative may ask you for your
Social Security Number. If you do not have one,
fill out an IRS Form W-8, which the bank can
supply.
Most
banks offer a number of different types of accounts.
One might bear interest if you maintain a minimum
balance; another might provide a limited number
of free checks. Learn about all options before
deciding which type of account is best for you.
You can go in for the convenience of a MAC (Money
Access Card) or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)
card. As a safety precaution, most ATMs limit
the daily withdrawal amount to $300. If you
happen to lose your ATM or MAC card, report
it immediately to your local bank office.
Credit
Cards
One payment option accepted
nationwide is the credit card. As a matter of
fact, you may find it difficult to make certain
purchases without a credit card. You need one
to place an order by phone, to rent a car, or
buy airline tickets in most instances. A credit
card is also a good idea if you want to maintain
good financial records, as your monthly statement
will serve as a reminder of how you're spending
money.
Be careful to
read all of the details of the credit card offer
before committing to it; some companies offer
a special low introductory interest rate (perhaps
2.9%), but then increase it dramatically (to
about 18.9%) after that introductory period.
Also know the structure of the credit card company's
annual fees, such as how much and when they
charge it to your card. As usual, learn all
you can before you make a decision. |
|
|
