The 2017 statistic on international students in the USA says that there are 1.18 million of foreign learners in the American educational institutions. 1.18 million, Carl! If so many people can learn English to the point of being accepted to the foreign university and assimilate in the American environment, don’t tell us you can’t! It’s just that you need a proper approach being still in high school: after school programs are great, but if you can plan your time more efficiently and prepare better for studying abroad, our alternatives will certainly bring you more benefits. Read further and see it for yourself.
First Choose Your University
This is a serious step that will determine all your future actions. It’s not that easy to select an educational establishment because there are many of them, especially in the USA. So, firstly, narrow your search to the circle of universities that accept international students. Secondly, check how well they are adapted to foreign learners: do they have special counselors? Do they provide free English lessons? Thirdly, count your budget – for example, California is one of the most expensive American states considering rent, while Washington can boast of cheap prices for apartments. But don’t get too enthusiastic here – all other facilities in this state are very expensive (insurance, bills, etc.). You need to take into account a lot of factors.
Brush up Your English
Each university requires a different level of English, and they may offer some additional courses to train your language. But it’s always best to come to the USA fully prepared and polish your English to the maximum because then you will be more confident in communication and spend less time on improving your language skills (and have more free time for going out!).
As you see, it’s significant to keep your language skills fit, and it’s possible to do by:
- Watching everything in English (without subtitles);
- Reading everything in English (e.g., subscribe to English groups on FB, cover news in EN, etc.);
- Use free online programs (e.g., Duolingo, Lingvist, etc.).
Of course, you can also hire a tutor – that will be only an advantage. But we offer you free and the most effective options, and it’s up to you what to choose.
Work on Your Productivity
It’s very important to get to know your own habits before moving to another country to study. We won’t lie to you – it will be rough. However, if you prepare to the maximum, you will adapt faster and easier.
Determine which part of the day is most productive for you and try different productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method, Seinfeld’s tactic or the Action method. Try also planning all your activities on paper and tracking how much time each of them takes – this will simplify your time management in the university abroad and eliminate one more stress factor.
Make Yourself Acquainted with Your Future Environment
Do your best to form realistic expectations (and not with the help of the movies). Find out how people treat foreigners in the city you will study in by surfing through forums, FB groups/pages, etc. Learn about the communities in your university.
It’s also very important to get to know more about the city itself – what the rent prices are, where it is cheaper to buy food, which student discounts you can use.
By following our alternative plan instead of spending time on after-school activities, you will become closer to making your dream come true. It’s important to start doing at least something for that and by inertia you will get up to your neck in the process. So, just do it!
