20 Oversights to Stay Clear of while Studying in the U.S
Do you wish to study in the United States? This is indeed the dream of many students. You have probably looked up the school you wish to attend or might have gotten a scholarship to study in the US, but have you stopped to wonder about certain things you should avoid and not do while in the US. If you have had this thought, that is probably why you are here. I’ll give a brief note on things you need to avoid as an international student in the United States.
Let’s get started now.
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Contents
Oversights to Avoid While Studying in the U.S
1. Late Arrival
Upon arrival in the United States, both male and female students must enter the United States no more than 30 days before your program of study begins. Immediately after your arrival, contact your designated school official (DSO) when you enter the United States. When you arrive at school, you will need to contact your DSO again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20.
2. Cutting classes
While studying in the United States, both male and female students must attend and pass all their classes. If school is too difficult, speak with your DSO immediately. If you believe that you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on your Form I-20, talk with your DSO about requesting a possible program extension. You must take a full course of study each term; if you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO immediately. And do not drop a class without first speaking with your DSO.
3. Not Doing Your Research Beforehand
As an international student, when coming to a new country you should do research on the country you are going to study in. It is important to take some time before you apply to research what type of school you are interested in attending. The U.S. offers large universities and small colleges, as well as community colleges and language schools. In addition, you should consider the area that you would like to live and learn in. Each of these factors will help determine what type of experience you have.
4. Not Spending Enough Time with People From Outside Your Home Country
You should not spend all your time with people from only your home country, you should mix up as that is the point of studying outside of your country in the first place. As hard as it can be to meet new people and develop new relationships, colleges and universities provide unique methods of solving this dilemma. There are always different campus organizations for students to join. These clubs allow individuals with a common interest to meet each other and work together. Organizations are typically run by students, so you will also have the opportunity to grow into a leadership position, which will only enhance your college experience.
5. No Building Credit
One of the more overlooked opportunities as an international student is building credit. Having good credit indicates that you know how to manage money and may be particularly useful if you decide that you would like to stay in the U.S for multiple years. Building credit makes it easier for you to get a loan, buy a car and rent an apartment. Even though it may be difficult to open a credit card with no credit history and as an international student, there are options available for you.
6. Not Going Abroad
Studying abroad as an international student may sound a bit unusual. After all, you are an international student for all the same reasons that other students have for going abroad. However, there are many different reasons for international students to also study abroad. Studying abroad allows you to build close bonds with your peers that can last even when you return to your institution. Traveling opens up different perspectives and allows you to see another culture up close. Depending on what your school offers, you may also have the opportunity to study abroad in another city within the U.S. Language study is another great reason to study abroad. If English is a second language, it may help to practice and study in another environment. The UK, Canada, and Australia are three great choices to help you gain confidence in your English speaking skills. If English is your native language, studying abroad as an international student provides you with the perfect opportunity to learn a different language and in fact, immersion is often the best way to learn.
7. Not Utilizing Available Resources
The U.S. is a big country with a lot of different people, places, and opportunities. As an international student, you should take advantage of the many resources available. One place to start is with your professors. It is important to build quality relationships with your professors and to seek them out. Not only will your grades and knowledge on each subject improve, but you will stand out as a student. This is important because you may need your professors to write letters of recommendation should you choose to attend graduate school or when you apply for postgraduate jobs. It is also a good idea to take classes and build relationships outside of your major department. Even if you enter college with an idea of what you would like to study, taking classes outside of your major will allow you to learn and speak about different subjects.
8. Not maintaining your student status
While studying in the United States, it is important to maintain your male or female student status. Your status relates to the purpose, or reason for why you want to come to the United States. The U.S. Department of State issues you your visa based on your intended purpose.
9. Doing things outside of the reason for your arrival
If the Department of State issues you an F or M student visa, this means that you are coming to the United States to study. You should not take any action that detracts from that purpose. Maintaining your status means fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued you your visa.
10. Multitasking
Never ever try to multitask. Multitasking is cognitively expensive. You do not expect to study properly when you have your phone right next to you. A study done at the University of Connecticut showed that students who multitask while studying take longer to study. It turns out that multitasking is a terrible idea for nearly everyone in nearly every circumstance.
11. Marathon reading
To get better grades, you should study for what you want to achieve and do not look at the time you have spent reading and use it to classify the knowledge you have gotten. Studying the same thing in the same way for hours without breaks is not productive. At the same time, taking too-frequent breaks while studying is ineffective and makes no sense. This happens because too often we study for lengths of time rather than for goals. You studying for 9 hours doesn’t impress anyone. Try and impress yourself with the knowledge you have gathered.
12. Breaking the law
As an international student, breaking the law should be the last thing you should ever do. If you are guilty of a really serious offense, you could risk being deported back to your country.
13. Mixing with the wrong crowd
We all know that mixing up with the wrong crowd is bad. As a newcomer, it may be hard at first to find the right people to hang out with, but be sure to stay away from the wrong group to avoid getting in trouble.
14. Being racist
The United States of America is one of those countries which stands against racism. If you wish to study in the US, put your racist pants away and learn to accept all people and cultures because you were also accepted.
Do not get a job without the authorization of USCIS and be sure to inform your DSO. If you choose to work without authorization, you will be forced to leave the United States immediately, and you may not be able to re-enter the United States at a later date.
16. Not knowing if you are permitted or not
You should find out if you are eligible to do a particular thing or not. M-1 students are not eligible for employment during their program of study but may obtain authorization for practical training employment. You may participate in practical training employment after the completion of your vocational program.
17. Bad report
As an international student, you should stay clear of bad reports and have a clean record. This is helpful if you wish to remain in the US after graduation.
18. Focusing more on cruises
It is no doubt that when you study in the US you would definitely want to tour the country. Remember your main purpose for traveling and focus on it.
19. Trouble
Avoid anything that would bring you trouble. You are far from home in another man’s land so try to compose yourself and avoid negative situations that would affect your studies.
20. Not following due processes
There is definitely a particular process for how everything is to be done. Follow the rules and guidelines to avoid complications and problems during your stay for your studies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oversights to Stay Clear of while Studying in the U.S.
How long can an international student stay in the US after graduation?
International students are allowed to stay 60 days after graduation or after the program’s end date to wrap up their affairs, do some tourism, whatever. If they’re going to work on optional practical training or opt-in non-system degree areas, they may work one year and in STEM degree areas they may work three-year options.
Is it hard for international students to get a job in the US?
Job hunting is always hard, but for international students, the process is even more difficult and frustrating. Oftentimes, employers are hesitant to hire international students. Hiring international students can be costly and time-consuming. Fear of new hires leaving after six months or a year.
Conclusion:
Now we have gotten to the end of this article. We have examined some things we need to avoid while studying in the US. If you avoid the aforementioned, your studies will be unbothered and will go smoothly, you might even land a job in the US and stay there permanently. Good luck to you.
Now It’s Your Turn
Now I’d like to hear from you:
Which among the Oversights to Stay Clear of while Studying in the U.S picked your interest?
Are you going to apply for admission right away?
Or maybe you’re ready to start searching for scholarships.
Either way, leave a comment below right now
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