An international student has plenty to consider before pursuing a U.S. academic degree. According to the EducationUSA Web site, international students trying to decide whether to study in the United States need to define goals for their job first. This will help the student find the right program at the right school. It's important to decide on a program of study so the international student can make sure the U.S. degree will be accepted in his or her country.
“They need to do their homework,” says Dr. Paula Epstein, director of international students at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. Epstein said students should consider factors, such as the program they want to enter, the location of the college, and the cost.
A U.S. education can be expensive, and students who want to earn a U.S. degree need to consider the financial impact of studying abroad. A student might be offered a scholarship or other form of financial aid to study at a U.S. college, but there is no guarantee every student will get money. According to the Web site for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 81 percent of international students studying at the undergraduate level in the United States receive no assistance to pay for their education. At the graduate level 47 percent must fund their own education.
Aside from concerns about paying for college tuition and fees, international students should consider how to find and pay for housing. Some colleges will offer international students special housing, but others will expect students to make their own living arrangements. Some students try to get jobs to pay for housing. Colleges will hire students to do part-time work, such as desk jobs. Other students might be able to find jobs in off-campus areas.
A student who decides to leave home and go to another country to study must face many changes. Epstein says international students who haven't been away from home have a hard time getting used to the culture. She says Miami Dade has a pen pal program, so students considering attending Miami Dade can talk to other students from their countries. To learn more, Epstein suggests students look at journals and try to get in touch with U.S. counseling centers. Also, she says students can contact the director of international studies at the school they want to attend to get information.
