Before you leave : Making the decision

The reasons for the determination to leave a country are complex and vary from person to person.

However, we can identify three main factors that motivate output MeQuieroIr.com users: personal and social insecurity, unemployment, and no display of a promising future.

Remember also that the need to find a new home on the outside, is in many cases, a structural crisis (political or economic) in the country. The search for security and quality of life are, then, as the main motivations of migration.

For all this, we can say that human migration is a common and ever present throughout history. For economic, political, religious or simple improvement, have led these movements for centuries.

Chapter Migration provides interesting facts about it.
Although anyone with enough thrust or preparation can achieve success in another country, it is recommended to evaluate the reasons for the interest in leaving the country. Should be analyzed in depth the real opportunities that have to settle in a new country.

Black and white put the strengths and weaknesses is a good practice. Questioning what to improve professionally or economically, what you are willing to sacrifice and what things can not be left behind. The test for migrants , Do I really want to go?, facilitates reflection and helps find answers to crucial questions.

It is recommended to update the basic documentation required, regardless of the chosen country. The normal process of preparing everything for a move to another country takes at least 6 to 24 months, depending on various factors: whether it is a temporary or permanent stay, or the conditions set immigration each country.

You need to take the time to learn all you can about the preferred destination country. Compare and evaluate the descriptions offered here each country can make the best decision.

Why study in the U.S.?

American higher education is considered one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized. Many multinational companies or large companies recognize the importance of having an academic degree at a U.S. university. In areas like Business, Medicine and Technology, American universities are ranked among the best in the world.

United States ranks first preference in the minds of millions of students around the world who wish to pursue academic degrees in a place other than their home countries. In fact, each year, American universities enroll an average rate of 5% of international students from more than 90 countries worldwide. For this reason, American universities have developed an interesting and most multicultural environment among its student basic services, with major attention to foreign students.

From the academic perspective, American universities use different teaching methods that allow students to develop a range of practical skills and training. On average, universities in the United States use an important balance between theory and practice. The case studies, for example, can be real situations of different companies or corporations, which must be analyzed by the student, linking theory balanced with work experience.

The academic and professional level of teachers is optimal. Most have doctoral degrees in their field and many of them work as consultants for large companies, entrepreneurs, executives of major industries or thrive in high levels of government. However, most teachers are active full-time professors, so students establish a relationship with their careful and dedicated academic.

In American universities, extra-curricular activities are very important, so students are encouraged to develop sports skills alongside their studies. In fact, many young people around the world are in American universities the opportunity to develop sports skills possibly in their home countries would be frustrated by the lack of adequate training infrastructure.

It is very common to see in U.S. universities, prominent athletes in different sports thanks to its sports performance facilities get scholarships and study.

Most universities are located in big cities or small towns within easy reach. All American geography has universities and prestigious schools and excellent quality, so choose a place that suits the needs and expectations of students, not difficult.

American universities are very well endowed academic centers, sports facilities and technology and large libraries that function as real centers of information for the student.

The campus of most universities, often consists of several buildings very well endowed and linked, forming a privileged area that offers comfort and safety of the student. The university environment in the United States can be a very valuable and rewarding experience.

Living in USA

The average American is accustomed to dealing with foreigners and permanent is very friendly and helpful with her.

With U.S. security is one of the world's most interesting destinations, either by the high academic level holding the U.S. higher education system, or the class of the houses of studies among which include many of the best in the world. Just spend a little magazine: Pennsylvania, Harvard, Columbia, UCLA, etc, and outside universities profuse number of educational institutions with the support of those of high level and widely recognized in the world.

Education in America is true to the image that American culture professes through its media and teaches everyone, also as is often seen in the streets, is an education system that is home to large numbers of foreigners, thus forming one neocultura interracial, more interesting question yet educational exchange.

Campus Life in a multiple associations and academic and social environment allow a strong sense of community among students, good opportunity to score positive experience and open mind. And if we talk about experience, which provide study programs in theory and practice is unsurpassed. Not to mention the cultural, linguistic and social excellence that is accessed by anyone with steady employment and academic goals to choose to study in the U.S..

» Some data

Population: 270 million.
Capital: Washington DC (543 000, 1996).
New York with 8 million inhabitants is the largest city. Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Phoenix and Dallas have a population greater than one million people (1994).
While the official language is English, can be heard speaking any language or dialect in the streets of big cities also difficult not find indications in Castilian or Chinese. The United States is what you would call a cultural melting pot. This, however, does not detract from the traditional cultural ligations each community. In most cities there are preserved cultural communities where the uses of each social group.

Student Population:
• The total school population is 69 million with an annual growth of 85,000 to 150,000 students.
• The number of foreign students is over 514,000. And Asia has the largest representation with 54%. Virtually all countries are present in American universities.
• University cities: Boston, New Heaven, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Berkeley, San Francisco, Stantford, Los Angeles.

» Climate

The United States extend from coast to coast, overlooking the two oceans and on the south to Mexico and north to Canada.
This is one of the largest countries in the world, and this gives absolute topographical diversity, from vast plains to rugged mountains. As climates, from subtropical in the south to arctic north. You should prepare for any weather, on the East Coast, the quintessential college region stretching from Boston to southern New York, raw winters can be freezing temperatures and lots of snow, but the summers are mild and temperature rarely exceeds 30 ° C. On the other hand, against the Pacific Ocean, the region of California offers much higher temperatures and beautiful beaches, and excellent study houses.
The diversity of wildlife is extensive, too, and animals not present can be admired for less at some of the largest zoos in the world.

Currency: U.S. dollar (U.S. $). U.S. $ 1 = € current quote.

» Advice for travelers

No one wants, and probably can, pay exorbitant prices or travel huddled like cattle, it is important to walk with a sharp eye and consider some secretetos.
There are always cheaper alternatives, and in many cases this does not mean that the quality is worse. Utilizing elements such as student cards (ISIC) or grant documents and within the U.S..
Always do assert your student status, as there are hundreds of benefits (including financial and monetary) to move up and into countries like this. With the ISIC can get discounts of up to 50%, as with letters from students to travel (around 20 U.S. $).

You should also be aware of ticket deals and packages as those obtained for rail transport in Europe.
You can also request a letter which will identify you as a frequent traveler, usually free and you scroll all the miles you will to win free tickets.
Do not forget to calculate the price of tickets routes from the airport to the residence and vice versa, sometimes a headache, especially if they are too removed.
Do not waste time and start planning your trip now. The longer you delay, the more difficulty you will have to get good prices and accommodation. 

» Accommodation, often detail

Within academic institutions often have an office (Housing Office) procedures intended for accommodation, either on campus or outside it. Let's start here then. They have contacts with agencies and personnel helps students in these areas. They can even provide you with lists of agencies if they prefer to search for yourself.

The application for on-campus housing is done in the same time of application. They are however subject to availability and are awarded as they come, another reason to hurry.

Be sure to balance living on campus or in the suburbs. Although more expensive to live off campus can have great advantages as comfort, freedom and peace. Many students spend their first year living on campus, and once adapted to the city, decide to share an apartment with several friends, this lowers housing costs.

» Some numbers:

• Leasing campus (9 months): u $ 2200 to $ 5500.

Always provide some extras for bedding, lamps, etc..

• Lease outside the university:

• Hotel: between U.S. $ 25 and $ 100 a night.

Furnished room: between $ 150 and $ 350 per month.

No Furnished Apartment: between $ 150 and $ 500 per month (buy the furniture it will be more expensive than renting one already furnished).

» Expenses

The cost varies widely from one city to another, or from one state to another. In general, you can set the lowest prices are usually found in the south and the highest in large cities and in the New England region.

» Some estimated values:

• Personal expenses: U $ 1500 to $ 2500 per academic year (very approximate).

• Power: Off campus using university restaurant ticket. For one year, the price ranges between U.S. $ 1000 and $ 1800. When cooking at home, the bill may rise to $ 1800 - or $ 3000 per month.

• Hamburger: between $ 1-5 in the fast food places and between $ 5-10 in restaurants.

• Soda: u $ 1.50

• Coffee: u $ 1 with the option of filling the cup at will.

• Tickets metro / bus: U $ 0.80 to $ 1.

If you live off campus remember that a bike can be quite useful to lower costs. And, if it is within your means, renting a car is interesting within cities. In this case, the gas is sold to $ 1.45 per gallon (4.456 liters).

• Newspaper: $ 0.50 or the local newspaper and even nationals or $ 1.50.

• Entrance to cinema: au u $ 6 $ 7
• Night out: at $ 20 and up.

» The health system

The state is responsible for the health, each person must choose the insurance agency that best suits you. Each university will inform you of the most desirable institutions based on your foreign status, time of stay and financial possibilities.

Health insurance is compulsory character for any grant application. These insurance companies have to hire a private American and can be done before coming to America.

At this point you should have caution because the American health system is very expensive and can lead to some surprises. Not all medical expenses are covered with hiring a private health service and the state does not participate in any way in the coverage as it is standard in European and Latin American countries.

When you buy insurance you pay a deductible. This deductible can range from U.S. $ 50 to U.S. $ 1000. The lower this number, the more expensive the insurance.

Insurance can also sign up with service-pay (co-insurance). This means that the user must always pay a percentage of the costs.
You can also hire systems with maximum coverage, meaning that once the medical expenses exceed a set amount, the insurance will no longer charge.

Consider the basic medical insurance does not cover drugs, but may include options for these expenses, as the drugs are not cheap in the U.S..

Study in USA

If you're serious about studying in the U.S., the best you can do is start with a thorough investigation about what the American university that best fits what you want.
While there is much renowned universities (such as Harvard, Columbia, UCLA), you'd better look exactly what is the best for you based on the field of study of your choice. Fortunately, the vast majority of universities and colleges in the U.S. have their website, making it very easy to get in touch with them to respond to all your questions. Americans tend to be very diligent in regard to providing information and advise.

We need to find out what types of tests have to be approved to enter a U.S. university. In some of them, and depending on what the field of study you have chosen, in addition to the language test will apply for approval for some additional tests, such as SAT I and SAT II (Scholastic Assessment Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) or ACT (American College Test). These tests are usually for specific careers.
At the university of your choice Notified know about them. You can find more information in the " Testing "on this site.
It is highly recommended that you begin to find out all the requirements and all important data, at least one year before the
when you want to start your study program.

The process of seeking the college you want to contact a counselor of the same, complete applications and take the exams, you can take a whole year. Remember it is a very important decision in your life, and deserves to be treated as such.

Try to have an adviser to help you choose a university according to your taste, to your academic and your financial capacity. This advisor may be someone who has studied in the U.S. and already knows the system, a teacher you trust or a professional adviser.

The application and admission process for U.S. universities is tough, since there are millions of them international students each year. Note that you must compete with each for a place at university. We recommend that you apply to more than one university, but prefer "that" it's your favorite. Choose two or three universities that have programs for you, and applies to each, putting all your effort into it. And mind!, That if the choice is made according to your capacidadaes, have little chance of entering.

When selecting the college which you apply, you need to know what the costs of the study to make sure you can afford them. These can vary greatly from one university to another: from a minimum of $ 5,000 and a maximum of $ 30,000 per year. To this you should add the cost of room and board, which can be calculated as approximately U.S. $ 8,000 to U.S. $ 13,000 per year, depending on the city and your usual level of consumption.

Not all U.S. universities offer scholarships directly to foreign students for graduate study. Yes is more common collaborative scholarship offer, with which you work in any sector of the university (eg library, student services, computer support, etc..) In exchange for a rebate on the cost of the studies. However, perhaps more interesting option is a credit that can bestow, payable in several years. Find out in college you have chosen what is required, well in advance, as they often require documentation of family income that can be difficult to handle.

Another solution to the financial aid or scholarships are offered by agencies and foundations such as Fulbright and Woodrow Wilson. During the year you're making preparations to leave, you can take advantage of to be attentive to the calls that appear. In becas.com can register for free and receive in your e-mail all the information you need.

Some universities, at the time you submit the application, ask your school or home university send them your transcript or report card. Make sure this documentation to them in a timely manner.

Something that can be extremely useful when qualifying your application are letters of recommendation. Looking for someone important to the institution to which you belong or where studies last cursaste. Must be someone with a high degree (a doctor would be ideal), it is teacher, dean, research or, better still, the rector himself. You need that person knows you and can officiate witness your commitment and goodwill. Explain that you need a recommendation for an important person like him, show him your grades and kindly ask him to give you his endorsement. Note that this is a big responsibility for those recommended, and you must be absolutely willing to give all of you to repay that trust.

Applications for U.S. universities have a fee, usually between $ 30 and $ 50. This amount is for the processing and processing of your data, and you will not be refunded.

Although it sounds a little obvious, it never hurts to remind you to put a lot of attention in the dates, especially in the end date of filing. It usually takes time to get all the documentation you will be required, so the best advice is: start early and take it easy. It is always better to send the request in plenty of time, ie, do not wait until a week before it expires.

Much of American universities allow complete the application form on-line. Take this step with the same seriousness as you would on paper. Read and reread before clicking the button decisive "send". Be truthful and honest in all of the data you give, because your future depends on it.

Once the application process, you must wait for the response from the colleges you applied. Some respond immediately, but others will take time, even several months. Do not despair, nor grocery boxes university reports to ask a thousand times how's your procedure. While Americans tend to be very friendly, not a matter of exhausting your patience.

Once you are admitted, you will be asked to enter into a bank account that the university will provide the corresponding amount of tuition. This registration can be made for the cost of completed several months, even for a full academic year. The figure may be quite high, so it is highly advisable that you get to save the money in time.

The sooner you pay the amount, the faster your final registration will be formalized in college. This is especially important with admission to college has applied for a place in the university residence. The homes are generally less expensive than hotels, and their immediate vacancies deal. If you asked instead, try entering the money as soon as possible to have your seat secured.

Now is the time that the university will help the student visa process, sending the appropriate form and giving you the documentation you are asked. Then you have to submit applications in the U.S. embassy.

Studies in the United States: Living - Weather, Currency

» Climate

Due to its large size, can be found in U.S. examples of most of the world's climate . The great plains of the south, which are west of the Atlantic, often suffer the scourge of hurricanes and tornadoes. Plain topography is precisely what fuels these phenomena.

The tundra climate occurs in northern Alaska. It's the kind of climate in the country underrepresented.

The climate of the boreal forests appears throughout central Alaska, heavily modified by the country's mountainous terrain.

The humid continental climate appears basically east of the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains in the northern half of this region. Also on specific points west of the Rockies, but is very distorted.

The dry climate of the middle latitudes appears in the central regions of the United States east of the Mississippi River, and many of the depressions of the Rockies.

The maritime climate of the west coast has very little representation. It is limited to a narrow strip of the Pacific coast from northern California to the Canadian border, and on the coast of Alaska. The cause of this lean development is due to the proximity of the mountains to the coast.

The Mediterranean climate also appears in a very narrow strip of the West Coast, in central and southern California. As above, the limited development due to the immediate presence of high mountains.

The humid subtropical climate appears throughout the southeastern United States, from the southern half of the east coast to near the border with Mexico for much of the Gulf of Mexico, and quite penetrating inside the south of the central plains.

The dry subtropical climate is in the vicinity of the deserts of the southern United States, in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The dry tropical climate appears at particular points in the deep valleys of the southern Rockies and downwind of westerly winds. Do not have much but they are very significant development.

The monsoon climate and trade winds on the coast is in the southern tip of Florida, and is also very poorly represented.

» Currency

The local currency is the dollar. Monetary system follows the decimal system, the basic unit of the dollar, which can be divided into 100 cents. The most common tickets are $ 1, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50 and $ 100. They are all the same color and the same size. 1 cent coins are called "penny", 5 cents "nickel" 10 cent "dime" and 25 cents "quarter".

Studies in the United States : Living - Post

The U.S. Postal Service is provided through United State Postal Service. Each year, the Postal Service ecoge and distributes more than 200 billion letters and packages mailed within and outside the United States. The Postal Service provides a variety of services to individuals and businesses, including a guide for the move.

» Some of the services provided

• Express mail.'s A form of transmission that guarantees delivery the next day, a Sunday or holiday, the destination. Except for companies that do not work Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday.

• Priority mail. Shipped within three or four days.

• Ships first class are received according to the distance between one to four days.

• Delivery confirmation.'s A service for which the Postal Service confirms the date and time of arrival of a letter or package. It is an additional payment to the cost of normal shipping,

• Registered mail is an additional surcharge, by which the mail piece is sent to preferential treatment and must be signed by the recipient as received.

• Paid Response is an additional surcharge normal mail piece through which the recipient must sign the form for that purpose, and that is returned to the person who sent it. This service is for both the domestic and service for overseas shipment.

• Registered mail is an additional surcharge, the user uses when sending, generally, a very important document. You can do this for national service as well as to overseas.

• Sure.'s An additional payment is made ​​when sending a parcel to abroad. It is optional for national service.

United State Postal Service.
Phone: 1-800-275-8777
Address: U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260

Studies in the United States: Banks, Long distance calls

» Long distance calls

The telephone numbers in the U.S. are 10 digits: area code 3 digit area code and 3 digit code 4 digit subscriber.

You can make long distance calls through the operator (by dialing "0", which is free and can be accessed from any private or public phone no coins), but will cost. It is cheaper to call after 17 hours (saving 35%) or between 23 and 8 hours (60% savings). F or request information about phone numbers or area codes must discarse the "411".

» Banks

The first thing to be clear before going to look for a bank that work in the U.S. is what kind of operational needs, which are looking for.

Depending on your intended to give the entity, be advisable to opt for one or the other. However, as general advice and regardless of their particular circumstances, we recommend that you choose a company with a large ATM network to minimize the costs charged for cash withdrawals.

Make sure it is a federal entity and insured chooses not offshore entities that, while interest and can offer very desirable conditions are not regulated or protected so no guarantee the stability of their savings.

If you are able, we recommend that prioritizes entities of e-banking platforms, you can perform basic operations with your account and your credit and debit card fees and interest saving.
Bank Cards

Once you determine the type of bank and bank account need to suit your needs, you should evaluate the possession of a bank card. It is a more convenient and there are various kinds of bank cards designed to meet the different needs of customers.