Study in USA

Why study in the USA?

Being a diverse country, the United States is the safest place for students, particularly from India, and there is no need for any fear of racism. So in that sense, the US is a safe country for Indian students. If you have decided to study in the US, your choice of destination country needs no validation as the US is considered the best study abroad destination. Not to justify your choice but to further strengthen your decision, we at One Source Overseas have compiled a few reasons why considering the US as your study abroad destination is a wise decision. Although the reasons to consider a country may differ widely among students, there are a few standout features that make every place different than others. Below are a few of the reasons why going to the US to study might be a really good decision.

Programs to fit your needs

The US offers a very diverse range of higher education options compared to any other country in the world. With such wide options for learning opportunities, no matter what your ability or ambitions are, there will be some perfect course for you. Many of the universities customize a few of their courses for international students as well.

Flexibility

In America, it is very common to change university after two years of study during undergraduate courses within the same faculty. Most institutions accept credits from other universities to the same course. So you are not required to complete all four years of study in the same college to finish your degree. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to transfer your credits to a higher ranked institution, given if you have good enough grades

You Can Extend Your Reach and Network

This applies not just to the US, but to any study abroad destination country. Networking is an important part of every career and finding the right connections leads them to further heights in their career. Those who have international living or work experience and are multilingual will have a huge advantage over other people in the job market. At American universities, the chances of you coming across well-known names in the industry are very high. That will be crucial once you have hands-on field experience.

Diversity and Variety

You can study at a large public university or college or if you prefer a smaller community, you may choose a small private university. People in the US also vary among each other a lot. Along with American citizens, you will come across diverse cultures like Mexicans, Asians along with Indians. There is a strong Indian community in the US. Essentially, the USA is a multiracial society that is still absorbing new immigrants, which makes it a continuous melting pot of communities and cultures; an experience which will enrich your understanding of the world.

How to study in the USA from India?

Study in the USA for Indian Students
In 2016, Indians were the top-recipient of the high-skilled H-1B visas and were also the second-largest community of international students staying in US. The US government records claim that immigrants from India are better educated, more likely to have strong English language skills, arrive on employment-based visas, and are less likely to live below the poverty line than the overall immigrant population. Many Indians work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Almost one-third of all Indian immigrants reside in just two states: California and New Jersey. More than one-quarter of all Indian immigrants live in three major metropolitan areas: New York, Chicago, and San Jose.

The education system in the USA

US Education system – Many students who are going to pursue their higher studies in the US must be surprised to know that the US has no educational system. The Federal government can influence education only by the funding it offers, but this is limited. Unlike CBSE board examinations in India, there is no national high school graduation examination. There are, however, state graduation examinations, and students must pass these. At the higher education level, students have a wide range of options when they choose a college or university. Although there are agencies that attempt to rank American colleges and universities, the concept of “fit” is also important. The GPA* of admitted students is important, but majors offered, location, the number of students enrolled, and campus culture are all factors influencing a prospective student’s decision. Some colleges and universities are publicly funded, while others are privately supported.

*GPA means grade point average. It is the average of all grades received.

Popular student destinations:

The top universities in the US are Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University and Stanford University (in no particular order). The area of New England on the east coast of the US is the center of all its renowned academic institutes. Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Boston, New York, Cambridge, Old Saybrook, New Haven. Approximately, 1,86,000 Indian students were studying in the US during the academic year 2017-18. Business Management, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media, Physical and Life Sciences are the popular courses Indian students pursue in the US.

Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA
State School/college/University
The US comprises of 50 states, each state run at least one university or colleges for providing quality higher education to students at low rates. These universities are funded by the respective state governments and are equipped with state of the art facilities. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University.

Private university/college
These institutions are run privately and are considered costly as compared to the state schools.

Community Colleges
Community colleges offer two-year cert8ification or associate degree which is transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges in order to complete their degree. They are allowed to transfer the credits which they have earned in the community college. Community colleges offer ESL courses or other programs which prepare students for studying university-level courses.

Technology Institutes
These are the institutes which provide four-year courses related to science and technology.

About the US
Southwest – The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas. The average temperature in summers would be around 40°C to 25°C; in winters it would be around 18°C to 4°C.

Southeast – The southeast has a warm to a hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charleston. The average temperature in summers is around 35°C to 25°C; in winters it is around 10°C to 0°C.

Midwest – The Midwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England regions have a humid climate and cover cities like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. The average temperature in summers is around 28°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 0°C to -9°C.

Atlantic Coast – The central plains and East Coast has a temperate humid climate and covers cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati, and NYC. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.

Pacific Northwest – The Pacific Northwest has an oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, and Portland. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.

Lifestyle tips – The United States is a dynamic country, covering the breadth of a continent. Many cultural currents exist and coexist within American life. To mingle with the local crowd, you need to keep in mind that the lifestyle of Americans is a lot different than Indians. You need to include more activities in your life if you really want to get to know and meet new people.

Know about Professional Sports – One way to break the ice with the locals is to talk about professional sports like NFL or NBA or any other local sports. Sports play an important role in mingling with locals.

Outdoor activities – Americans love spending their time outdoors and prefer taking part in outdoor sports and games. Their lifestyles are more active and they prefer spending time meeting new people and trying out a new and different set of skills.

Music Concerts, Night Life – Every weekend people go for social events like music concerts and performances or maybe just going to a bar to watch a game. Weekends are for socializing and relaxing, so it is possible that your friends or classmates might invite you to a club. All you need to have is an open mind to meet new people and socialize.

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