Top 10 things I wish I knew before traveling to USA

3 years ago, I quit my comfy computer job back in India, loaded 2 suitcases full of clothes, my beloved gadgets, and a ton of Indian goodies and left on a career-changing trip. I was admitted to a prestigious MBA Program in the United States on a full scholarship and little did I know how my life was going to transform. The loads of advice I got from family, friends and my education consultants was totally unrelated to the actual experiences in the United States. Knowing these things before traveling to USA or any other destination will help you prepare yourself before you embark on your trip to this mystical place.

America is a melting pot of cultures and opportunities

Once you are here you will realize that the US is a melting pot of cultures and races from around the world. Especially in the major cities, you will find someone from your own country on every street corner. And Americans are way polite and welcoming than you could imagine. It is customary here to smile and say “Hello!” to every stranger on the street or shout “Bless you!” when someone sneezes. Do not believe your local media on this aspect.

International students turn into your local best friends

When I landed at Boston airport, I was picked up by a senior of mine, who is from Pakistan. It was touching to see how seniors are always waiting to help newbies who just “got off the boat”. I stayed with him for a couple of weeks and got baptized in the local culture instantly. Each US school has an international community that is well represented on social media. Find your country specific group on Facebook and write to them about your arrival. I’m sure that they will take care of everything for you when you first arrive.

Do yourself a favor, get your own transport (at least a bicycle)

Learn to network with people you are not familiar with

Do not pack heavy luggage

Save the beer money and travel while you can

Boarding is expensive, rather rent a house and share it

It’s colder than you think it is!

You cannot avoid the modified metric system, so learn it

If you are from outside the US, there is a high likelihood that you are used to the standard metric system or the SI system. The US follows its own “traditional” system. Distance is always in ‘miles’ and not ‘kilometers’. Weight is in pounds(lbs) and not kilograms(kg). Temperature is the hardest one to perfect and I still cannot comprehend the Fahrenheit scale (F) since I am used to Celsius(C). Its still hard to grasp the fact that 32 degrees F is freezing point and not 0 degrees C.

Don’t study just because you need a job after graduation

The last and most important thing I want to say to you is – study to learn new things and become a smarter human being. I meet and counsel a lot of international students who only aim of coming to the US to get a job. Let yourself lose, choose a program you really want to study, and do full justice towards mastering it. A job should always be an outcome of a successful learning experience and it will happen for you as well just like it did for me.

Hope you liked my tips on traveling to the United States. I am always available for any advice you might need regarding studying in the United States. Please reach out to me at info@ischoolconnect.com.

For more information about studying in the United States and applying to schools,  visit iSchoolConnect!