When preparing to study in the United States, it is very important to pack your luggage so that you can better adapt to your life after entering school.A list of things to prepare for studying in the United StatesPreparation time for studying in the United States, ,What preparations should I make to study in the United States?, ,Preparing to study in high school in the United States, ,How to prepare to study in the United States, ,Preparation for undergraduate study in the United StatesThe problem.

A checklist for studying abroad in the United States

A checklist for studying abroad in the United States

1. Important Documents

Such as passport, I-20 form, diploma, admission letter, various notarizations, graduation certificate, degree certificate, final transcript, medical examination documents, etc. In addition, you can also prepare a few more copies of important documents, such as passport.

2. Personal clothing

• 1. Find out the local temperature and prepare the appropriate clothes.
• 2. The four seasons are distinct in the United States, but in winter, there must be a heater in the room, and the room temperature is usually kept at around 15℃ to 20℃. Autumn clothes are most often worn. Pants are occasionally used, but thick sweaters are rarely used. Even in the coldest weather, you can just wrap yourself in a snow jacket or a thick coat.
• 3. It is best to change and wash underwear, socks, etc. every two weeks.
• 4. You may decide how to dress after you see other students' clothes after you arrive in the U.S. So you don't have to go shopping before going abroad. Shopping in the U.S. is also fun.
• 5. You may want to bring one or two sets of traditional Chinese (or modified) clothing to wear at the International Student Day or dinner held at school.
• 6. You won’t have many opportunities to wear formal suits and dresses, so just prepare one or two sets.
• 7. Carrying a thin jacket with you is very useful when boarding the plane and when you get off the plane in the United States.

3. Learning Tools

1. No matter what major you are studying, try to bring along some reference books that you have used. Buying books in the United States is sometimes quite troublesome. In addition to textbooks specified by professors, bookstores only sell some very ordinary books or manuals. Related reference books can only be borrowed from the library. The library has a sufficient variety of books, and there are many new books, but you cannot make punctuation annotations on the books, which is sometimes very inconvenient. Therefore, you can bring along some books that you will use in the first semester. The price of books in China is cheaper than in the United States.

2. You may want to bring along a dictionary you are used to, such as an English-Chinese or Chinese-English dictionary. You can buy an English-English dictionary when you arrive in the United States.

4. Computer Software

Since downloading software online is not allowed in the United States, it is recommended that you download your commonly used software in China first and put it on a USB flash drive to bring with you.

5. Daily necessities

It is recommended to bring less bedding such as sheets, quilt covers, wool blankets, and quilts because they are relatively large. You can buy a good quality quilt in the United States for about 20-35 US dollars. But I would like to remind you that you cannot buy quilt covers in the United States. If you need them, bring them from China.

You don't need to bring too much toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shower gel and the like. If you bring too much, it will be heavy. Just bring enough for you to use for a while. You can buy more there when you are done.

6. Electrical Necessities

Be sure to bring a conversion plug and an extension cord because the power supply in the United States is 110V and the power socket is three large items.

VII. Pharmaceuticals

• 1. If you need to take medication regularly due to personal health reasons, you should prepare enough medicine and carry the doctor's prescription or instructions with you.
• 2. Except in special cases or serious conditions, which require a doctor's diagnosis and prescription, general medicines such as anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, vitamins, cold medicines, various ointments and trauma first aid medicines can be purchased at general pharmacies. If you have any questions, you can also consult the pharmacist of the store.
• 3. You can prepare some temporary emergency gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine, Tiger Balm, etc.
• 4. Some schools require all new students to receive vaccinations. It is recommended to get them in China.

8. Suitcase

Buy suitcases of different sizes. When not in use, the smaller ones can be stored inside the larger ones, so that the empty suitcases do not take up the limited dormitory space. Also, prepare a few good padlocks that can be used to lock suitcases, desks, and cabinets.

Introduction to U.S. Student Visa Types

Type 1: F visa

This type of U.S. student visa is for international students who intend to pursue an academic degree at an accredited U.S. college or university, or to study English at a university or institution that provides English language enhancement. There are three types of F visas:

▪F-1 visa is for full-time students

▪The F-2 visa is for the dependents (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) of an F-1 visa holder, including spouses of the same sex.

▪The F-3 visa is for "border commuters" - students who live in Mexico and Canada in their country of origin, but attend school in the United States part-time or full-time.

Students with an F-1 visa may work on campus for 20 hours or less per week. Students who wish to work longer hours and work off-campus must obtain prior approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - they may also be authorized to work for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a full 12-month period, excluding the 90 days of unemployment.

Type 2: M visa

This type of US student visa is for international students who want to participate in non-academic, vocational studies or obtain training at an institution in the United States. There are three types of M visas:

▪M-1 visa is for students who are going to study vocational or non-academic courses

▪M-2 visa is for family members of M-1 visa holders (same as F-2 visa)

▪The M-3 visa is for "border commuters" and, like the F-3 visa, is for vocational or non-academic study.

Students on an M-1 visa are admitted to the U.S. for a fixed period of time - the length of their training program plus any optional practical training. They cannot stay in the U.S. for more than one year, except for medical extensions. M-1 visa holders are not allowed to work on or off campus during their studies, and cannot change status to an F-1 visa.

The third type: J visa

This last type of US student visa is for international exchange visitors who are participating in a US program to promote cultural exchange. Regardless of whether they are receiving medical, business, or other training, all applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the program in question and be sponsored by a private sector or government program. J visa holders usually stay in the US for only a short period of time, perhaps 1 or 2 semesters. There are two types of J visas:

▪J-1 visa is for exchange students in related exchange programs

▪J-2 visa is for family members of J-1 visa holders (same as F-2 visa)

J-1 visa holders who are part of a government-sponsored exchange program will be subject to a two-year return-to-country residency requirement to pursue graduate medical education, training, or training that is included on the exchange visitor skills list (i.e., the J-1 visa holder's country of origin deems their expertise or skills necessary for the country's development). These requirements mean that J-1 visa holders will need to return to their country of origin at least two years after completing their exchange visitor program.

Tips for applying for a US study visa

1. Complete materials

The first step of the review is for the materials. After the review method is updated, students can submit all the materials directly online, which is together with the page where everyone submits the application form. After completing the form, submit them together.

All the materials you need to upload will be marked on the page. You must ensure that the materials you prepare are complete and true, and submit them in the order given to ensure that no other problems arise in the middle, so as to facilitate the embassy's review.

2. Qualified identity

Everyone has different purposes for studying abroad, so the types of visas to be applied for are different. Everyone must choose a program that suits their identity, so that they will automatically enter the corresponding process during the review and will not affect their arrangements for going abroad.

For example, students applying for admission to preparatory courses and language schools all apply for a short-term visa for language learning, and the length of stay and the rights that can be enjoyed are limited; while for formal study abroad, an ordinary study visa is applied for, and everyone can apply according to the normal process.

3. Simple Motives

The embassy is also very strict in reviewing the purpose and motivation of international students, and is very sensitive to immigration and work. When you prepare the materials, you must be firm in your purpose of studying abroad and do not reveal your intention to work or prepare to immigrate.

The main review is on the study abroad plan and motivation letter that you submit. If you are not sure whether you will reveal your intention, then when writing, try to avoid mentioning content related to life, so that you can avoid it more effectively.

4. Interview Performance

After the materials are reviewed and approved, there will be an interview process. Unlike the procedures in most countries, the US visa interview plays a very important role. If you do not perform well, you will be directly rejected.

Therefore, before attending an interview, you must make comprehensive preparations, including familiarity with the materials and basic questions, so that you can better deal with emergencies that may arise.

Overview of Medical Examinations for Applying to Study in the United States

1. Physical Examination Materials

You need to make an appointment in advance to participate in the physical examination, which can be done online. After a successful appointment, you can directly print out the personal information form, confirm your identity information, and then prepare your identity proof (passport or ID card).

You also need to prepare your ID photo (4.8×3.3cm) and a form provided by the school that contains items that need to be inspected. If you have been vaccinated, you also need to bring the original record so that you do not need to repeat the vaccination.

2. Physical Examination Process

The day before the physical examination, you need to ensure a light diet, otherwise it may affect the results of the examination; on the day of the examination, remember to eat breakfast, try to choose separate tops and bottoms, do not wear jewelry, and go to the hospital on time.

The physical examination is usually scheduled from 8:00 to 11:20. The whole process takes about an hour. Everyone should complete each examination according to the instructions to avoid omissions, complete the process normally, and obtain the results smoothly.

3. Physical Examination Items

X-rays need to be done first to check everyone's health, including internal organs and bones. Then, B-ultrasound examination is required. It is very fast and you only need to expose yourself in front of the instrument to get the results directly. Electrocardiogram will also be tested simultaneously.

The earlier the blood is drawn, the less impact it will have on the result; a comprehensive examination including weight, height, vision, ENT, etc. is conducted together; the last step is a urine test. Before that, you can drink more water to ensure smooth progress.

IV. Vaccination

The vaccines that students need to receive will be marked directly on the official website and the forms issued by the school. If you have received the relevant vaccines, you only need to show the official certificate of vaccination, so that you can get fewer shots.

If you have not been vaccinated, you need to go to the vaccination room to confirm the vaccines you need. Generally, you will receive two shots at most, which takes about 10-20 minutes. After the vaccination, you will need to be observed for half an hour before you can leave.

Introduction to ways to reduce tuition fees for studying in the United States

1. Apply for a scholarship

Scholarships are mostly available to graduate students. They are a kind of reward given to you for helping professors or participating in research projects while you are studying. They are similar to a monthly student salary. Undergraduate students basically don't have to think about this. However, if you are lucky enough to be noticed by a professor while you are an undergraduate, you may get it.

2. Fight for Scholarship

There are two types of scholarships mentioned here, one is the on-campus scholarship, and the other is the foundation scholarship. The foundation scholarship is actually provided by outside the school, that is, private individuals or companies. As a student, you can apply for on-campus or off-campus scholarships. Of course, off-campus scholarships have more content and richer content than on-campus scholarships.

3. Apply for Tuition Fee Reduction

This is also available, but this type of tuition reduction has various regulations and conditions, such as for students with disabilities or families with serious income tragedies. Of course, if you can prove that your family's financial ability cannot help you complete your studies, you can also apply for this.

4. Saving or reducing accommodation on and off campus

This is a type of scholarship specially set up by American schools to reduce the cost of studying in the United States for international students. Lisicheng Overseas Study Cloud introduced that if you feel that you cannot afford such high accommodation fees if you live in the school, and your family also has financial difficulties, you can make this request and apply to the school.

5. Obtaining Research and Teaching Assistantships

Graduate schools in the United States will set up these two types of service-based financial aid, but they are only available to students who are studying for a master's degree or higher in the United States. This requires good academic performance and a strong level of English, and further review by professors or school service agencies before you can get it.

Which cities are good for studying abroad in the United States?

1. Boston

Boston is located on the Atlantic coast of the northeastern United States. It was founded in 1630 and is one of the oldest and most culturally valuable cities in the United States. The Boston Tea Party in American history eventually led to the American War of Independence.

Boston is the capital and city of Massachusetts, United States, and a city in the New England region of the northeastern United States.

If you want to compete with the world's intellectual elites, Boston is definitely your choice. Located in Cambridge, near Boston, there are two of the most famous universities in the United States: Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In addition, Boston is home to some of the top 50 schools in the U.S., including Tufts University, Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University. In terms of educational resources, Boston is definitely a winner among North American cities.

Of course, the broad employment prospects are also one of the favorable factors that make Boston on the list.

In addition, Boston is very active in the field of culture and art, and has a well-developed entertainment industry. It is definitely not a "nerd" city that only focuses on academics.

2. New York

When talking about American cities, how can we forget New York, the city that never sleeps, standing at the center of the world.

New York City is located on the Atlantic coast of southeastern New York State, USA. It is the largest city and the largest port in the United States, and one of the world's largest cities. It is known as "Nylonkong" together with London, UK and Hong Kong, China. In November 2018, New York was rated as an Alpha++ world first-tier city by GaWC.

New York is the cultural, artistic, music and publishing center of the United States. It has numerous museums, art galleries, libraries, scientific research institutions and art centers. The headquarters of the three major American radio and television networks and some influential newspapers and news agencies are located here.

New York's Times Square is located at the hub of the Broadway Theater District and is known as the "crossroads of the world". It is also one of the centers of the world's entertainment industry. Manhattan's Chinatown is the most densely populated Chinese community in the Western Hemisphere.

New York has the largest total population of any US city, with 1.51T of the population being students. The city also scores highly in the student outlook indicator and ranking indicator, and has no fewer than 10 quality universities, two of which are Ivy League schools.

Recommended: Columbia University, New York University, Rutgers University, Yeshiva University, University of Delaware, City University of New York, New School University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Fordham University

3. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States after New York. The abundant sunshine throughout the year makes Los Angeles one of the most livable cities in the world. Sunshine, waves, beaches and bikini beauties everywhere, don't you feel excited just thinking about it?

Los Angeles is based on the creative industries - music, television and film, with the world-famous Hollywood becoming its most recognizable product. Home to the Hollywood film industry, Los Angeles is absolutely packed with galleries, museums, theaters and performance venues of all kinds, and is often touted as the "Creative Capital of the World." In addition to having large comprehensive state universities, the city also has numerous private universities and colleges, many of which specialize in fields related to the creative arts.

In addition to the pleasant natural environment and developed entertainment industry, the University of California, Los Angeles is the place that many students are most attracted to. Los Angeles is indeed a paradise for students, a good place for studying and living.

Recommended: California Institute of Technology, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California

4. Washington

Washington, the capital of the United States. Named after the first president of the United States, George Washington, it is home to numerous monuments and landmarks, theaters and ancient towns. If you want to find something to do in your free time, take a trip to the White House, see the Washington Monument or the impressive Lincoln Memorial.

Well-known universities: Georgetown University, National Defense University, Catholic University of America, etc.

A Guide to Adapting to Studying in the United States

1, try not to go out after 10:00 pm

Students abroad should not go out after 10 o'clock. In the United States, life is usually more lively on weekends, but most of the time it is only in bars, so there are basically few people here at night. If you can avoid going out, try not to go out. If you stay at school late because of studying, you can actually ask the campus police to escort you back to the rental area.

And when you rent a room, you should also determine the safety of the surrounding area, generally speaking, high-end areas will be safer to rent a room to ensure safety. And they usually have to pay more attention to what measures can ensure their own safety, such as going out with a companion, remember the teacher or landlord's phone number and so on these.

2、Try to make teachers remember themselves

These schools in the U.S. are basically full of talented students, and if you want to make a difference with so many talented students, you can't rest on your laurels. Usually schools in the United States do not have a schedule, students have to find out what classes they want to take and then schedule those classes themselves. In the course, there are usually dozens or hundreds of people in business, and the teacher often leaves after the class, so it is difficult to get the teacher to remember you. Here in the U.S., teachers are very helpful in recommending students for future jobs and internships. Therefore, it is important to show yourself as much as possible so that the teacher can notice you.

The first thing you can do is to do your own homework well and have a unique point of view, so that the teacher can naturally pay attention to your homework from many copies. Also in the classroom you have to express yourself. Generally the classroom is going to let students speech topics, these opportunities for students is very rare, so to be well prepared, the content must also have depth, so that the teacher will pay attention. The same can get the teacher's attention.

3、Make more friends

In fact, Americans are still very warm, usually will be very active greetings. In order for you to adapt to life here quickly, you can actually have more interaction with the locals, which is also considered to understand their customs and habits, which is also beneficial for your future work. In the internship if you can go to some famous companies internship, even if it is not paid to try, if you strive for success, you will only get more in the future.

Things to note when paying tuition fees for international students in the United States

1. Be familiar with the payment items in the school notice

First of all, before paying fees to American schools, the school will issue clear notices, including the payment amount, payment method, payment deadline, and penalties for violations. Some schools will give students a fee list that clearly lists the payment amount. Of course, their notifications may not be limited to one form. Some will be posted on the school website, or may be noted on relevant documents, or may be notified through the school's official email address (you need to pay attention to all official and unofficial, formal and informal school requirements, regulations, etc. in the email address. If there are any questions, you must communicate and confirm in time. You should also check your email at any time).

Secondly, almost all American high schools and some undergraduate and graduate schools will require wire transfers to designated accounts before a specified deadline. Thirdly, you should read the agreement in detail, which contains requirements for refunds. Tuition fees are generally non-refundable. Some schools allow refunds within a certain period of time after the start of classes, but not after the time has passed. If the student is expelled from school or drops out midway due to personal reasons, tuition fees are also non-refundable.

2. Check if the school payment amount is different from the amount on the I-20

For undergraduates and postgraduates, the general cost is not much different from that on the I-20. The difference mainly lies in the number of courses selected and the specific dormitory allocation.

For language students, it is especially important to remind you that when you get your I-20, the school has already roughly decided how long you need to study the language. However, there are also situations where you may meet the school's language requirements in advance and do not need to study that long. Therefore, please pay attention to the payment of fees and ask the teacher clearly after arriving at the school:

• (1) Is it necessary to pay the tuition fees according to the time and fees stated on the I-20? If I arrive earlier than the language requirement, can the extra tuition fees be refunded?
• (2) Can payment be made on a semester basis? If so, be sure to ask clearly about the deadline and amount for registering for the next semester, so that you don’t miss the opportunity to register for the next semester. After completing the first semester of language study, you will not be able to start the second semester. Even if the I-20 issued previously is for a one-year form, it will be cancelled at this time, and the student will have no choice but to return to his or her home country or apply to other schools.

Common sense to pay attention to when studying in the United States

1. Keep your distance when talking while studying in the United States

When talking to an American, you should keep a distance between your bodies. A distance of half a meter is appropriate. When you are chatting with an American, if he keeps moving forward, you may be too far away from him; if he keeps moving backward, you may be too close to him, so you should keep a proper distance.

2. Don’t speak loudly when greeting others while studying in the United States

According to experts who study in the United States, when Chinese people meet acquaintances, they greet them loudly to show their enthusiasm, while American public places are relatively quiet, people speak softly, and generally do not shout unless there is an emergency. When meeting acquaintances, they will greet them only when they are close to them.

3. Maintain eye contact when talking to others

When talking to Americans, you should maintain eye contact. A wandering gaze or looking elsewhere will give Americans the impression of being untrustworthy and arrogant. Therefore, it is important to maintain a smile and eye contact when dealing with Americans. If a stranger walks up to you and smiles at you, and you smile back at him, he will say "hello" to you, this is just a courtesy and does not mean that he will stop to talk to you.

4. Don’t joke with them when studying in the United States

Some Chinese students sometimes tell a white lie or a joke, and everyone thinks it is normal. However, in the United States, if you lie to him or joke that he is dishonest, these words will make Americans unhappy, because Americans are a nation that values credibility. Their economic and social status are based on personal credibility, and they cannot tolerate others without credibility.

Introduction to the American Study Abroad System

1. Semester System

This is the same as the academic system of domestic universities. Each academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester has 14-20 weeks of courses. The study time is about nine months. One week will be arranged as an examination week in each semester for everyone to complete the course assessment.

With this arrangement, students will have more time to arrange their own course studies and prepare for exams. They will have sufficient time for both theoretical learning and project research. However, this will also bring the disadvantage of low efficiency and resources will not be fully utilized.

2. Quarter System

One academic year's study is divided into ten semesters. Each semester has about 9-11 weeks of courses, and also includes summer courses. The goals of each quarter will be arranged according to the four seasons, so that everyone's study will be more compact. The summer courses are elective courses, and you can report not to attend classes.

The arrangement shortens the teaching time and increases the number of semesters so that students can remain in a more active and sensitive learning stage. There will also be fewer courses per semester so that students can be more focused. However, due to the tight schedule, everyone faces greater pressure.

3. Three-semester system

This academic system is more common in European countries and has been introduced in the United States. It divides the twelve months of a year into three semesters. Students must complete the fall and winter semesters, and can take the spring and summer classes as electives. There are four admission opportunities each year, and students can apply for graduation after completing their studies.

The first semester is the fall class, which will start in late August or early September and end before Christmas; the second semester is the winter class, which starts in January and ends in October; the third semester will be divided into two small semesters, and you can choose any semester to enroll and take elective courses.

4. 4-1-4 or 4-4-1

As the name suggests, the study time of one academic year is divided into three stages, including two four-month semesters and one one-month semester. Mini semesters can be arranged between semesters or after semesters.

The ten-month semester is the formal period of professional course study. Everyone needs to complete their professional studies in school. The mini semester will arrange students to conduct study exchanges or internships outside the school.

Summary of the list of supplies to prepare for studying in the United States

After understanding the issues of the checklist for studying in the United States, you will also need to prepare a VPN tool to bypass the firewall and return to China when studying in the United States.For many Chinese who go to the US to study and work, they still like to watch some Chinese TV series and programs in China, and they are more accustomed to use some domestic native apps to listen to music, watch videos, play games and so on. However, due to copyright reasons, most of the popular programs are only allowed to be accessed by mainland IPs. In such a big background, theVPN back over the wallQuickFox now fully supports Apple iPhone & iPad mobile devices, Android phones, Windows PC series, Apple macOS computers, and also Android TV boxes.