http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog Blog for International Students visiting USA en shilpabalu@gmail.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-17T09:10:27+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/choose-your-own-international-student-health-insurance http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/choose-your-own-international-student-health-insurance#When:03:21:50Z Adequate health insurance is a prerequisite for international students at an overseas university. But do you have to sign up to the university’s own program? Can you choose your own international student health insurance? The answer is yes, but you need to make sure it fits. International student health insurance is a mandatory requirement because universities don’t want to bear the brunt of medical bills incurred by their overseas students. You are required to have adequate insurance coverage and many people opt for the easy option of the university’s own program. But you can choose your own – just demonstrate your health insurance meets the requirements by filling out a health insurance waiver form. Choosing your own international student health insurance gives you more choice and flexibility. Coverage can be tailored to meet your needs and include provision for hospitalization, doctor visits, surgery, prescription drugs, mental health services and optional hazardous risks and sports. You may even find a better deal for your tight student budget. Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to deal with your university’s procedures – zInternationalStudent.com can fill in the International Student Insurance waiver form and mail it to the appropriate department at your university or institution. Health Insurance, 2011-01-24T03:21:50+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/how_international_student_can_apply_for_a_us_f_1_visa http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/how_international_student_can_apply_for_a_us_f_1_visa#When:09:10:27Z The most common visa for an international student is the F-1 visa. This is the student visa related to collegiate study in the US. F-1 visa offer opportunity to international students’ non-immigrant status to attend a language training program or an academic institution approved by the SEVP - Student and Exchange Visitor Program. However, minor children and spouses of a foreign national that has an F-1 visa may apply for an F-2 visa to go along with the student to the United States. Consequently, the fact that you have an F-1 visa or any type of visa does not guarantee your entry to the United States. What the visa is saying is that a U.S. consular officer or consulate at an American embassy reviewed your application and established that you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. For a lot of reasons, the visa application process can be confusing. There are quite a lot of technical steps you must take to meet the requirements of more than a few different government agencies, who are part of the decision making for admitting a student to the United States to pursue an education. The experience of applying for visa can be annoying that some international students find it difficult to remember which form goes to which department. Let us first look at the visa application process step by step in order to simplify the process. Although the government prerequisites can change quite often, a successful application will always look as described below: 1.  The first step to take is for the student to forward an application to an SEVP approved American university. The SEVP if you wonder is a government agency under the auspices of the ICE - Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 2.  Upon your successful application and subsequent admission, the college will issue you Form I-20. 3.  You will then submit a Form I-901 together with application fee to SEVP, making use of the information from Form I-20. 4.  You will be issued a receipt of payment by SEVP. 5. The next thing is for you to schedule an interview at any consulate or U.S. embassy close to you when you have both the SEVP payment receipt and Form I-20. It is the consular to decide whether to recommend a visa for you or decline your application. 6.  You will be issued a non-immigrant visa which can be F-1 M-1 or J-1 by the Department of State. 7.  When you have completed all the processes above one after the other, you can now travel to a port-of-entry in the United States. It is at that point that your visa documents will be reviewed after when you will be admitted into the country, if they are genuine. Health Insurance, 2013-05-17T09:10:27+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/about_financial_aid_for_international_students http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/about_financial_aid_for_international_students#When:00:52:10Z When it comes to attending colleges in America, international students are always at a disadvantage financially simply for the reason being that nearly all loans, scholarships and grants are set aside for the citizens of the United States of America. Nevertheless, a number of colleges are trying their effort to get the financial aid picture better for those students who are from other countries of the world. In the United States of America, the Northern Virginia Community College is one of the leaders in attempting to offer financial aid for international students. The Northern Virginia Community College has many students in Annandale, Woodbridge, Loudoun, Manassas, Alexandra and Springfield campuses including three learning centers in ELI, Arlington and Reston. The beautiful thing about the population of the students of NVCC is that one-fourth to one-third of these students hails from other countries. Hence, NVCC is popular with many international students who have a preference for living in Northern Virginia as well as other locations in the Greater area of Washington, D. C. It is no more news that financial aid for international students is offered to students from other countries that cannot afford to pay for college and university due to financial incapability. Scholarships, grants and loans are sources of financial aid for international students. While scholarship money and grants are not meant for repayment, students have to pay back loans granted to them at the completion of their academic program. However, a number of scholarships come with bond which may require the beneficiary to work for an employer for an agreed duration of time or asked to pay back the value of the financial aid that was offered in form of scholarship. On the other hand, the nursing and education scholarships will require the beneficiary to serve or work in the rural areas and any beneficiary that is not ready to comply with this agreement will equally be asked to repay back the value of the support he or she collected from the scholarship.  Financial aid for international students is a way of assisting less privileged students to fund their college or university education. This can be in form of scholarships, grants and loans. Therefore, if you belong to this group of students, do a through research for suitable financial aid that will suit your study abroad program.   Health Insurance, 2013-05-09T00:52:10+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/read_this_before_applying_for_free_college_tuition http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/read_this_before_applying_for_free_college_tuition#When:20:22:13Z Free college tuition for college students is granted to eligible students based on merit and skills by the educational institutions and government. Without mincing words, it is challenging and daunting to get free college tuition. This is because free college tuition is such a competitive one. However, if you obey the rules guiding free college tuition application strictly, your application will be successful. Therefore, you must first identify your area of expertise before you apply for free college tuition in a particular field of study. In other words, for you to be granted free college tuition in football, tennis, basketball and athletics, you must be outstanding in sports generally. On the other hand, your score in SAT must be excellent to have advantage of getting free college tuition. Furthermore, if you merge your good SAT score with sport, you will stand out among other applicants to be granted free college tuition. Due to the fact that free college tuition is competitive, you must study hard to earn a high grade or score in your SAT. You equally need to obtain the Free Application for Student Aid Form as well as conduct a thorough research on the different types of scholarships available. This is necessitated in order for you to have a clear understanding of all the possible student aid available. Above all, you must forward your free college tuition application early so that you can have access to other financial aid for students such as the federal, state and institutional authorities that are on first come first serve basis. Furthermore, you have to start looking for the grants and scholarships you are suitable to apply for. Therefore, you can opt for any of the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) being awarded to undergraduate students, Federal Pell Grants, the Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) and grants from Institutes as well as the Federal and State Ministries of Education. In order for your free college tuition application which is like financial aid and scholarships, you must prepare yourself adequately. Hence, you must study hard to obtain high SAT grade to stand out of competition, identify the area that you are skillful and talented at, search for scholarships and grants that you are qualified for and prepare the Free Application for Student Form.   Health Insurance, 2013-04-30T20:22:13+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/know_the_right_sources_of_education_grants_for_international_students http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/know_the_right_sources_of_education_grants_for_international_students#When:10:01:13Z Education grants are free money given to less privileged or financially handicapped students to further their college or university education. Frankly speaking, few students whose parents are wealthy can afford to pay their college education expenses in this present time. A student that cannot meet up with the exorbitant cost of education of a four-year college program depends on nothing but education grants. Therefore, as international student looking for education grants, it is imperative to know the appropriate channels where you will forward your application for education grants in order to get the best out of it.Education grants are free money given to less privileged or financially handicapped students to further their college or university education. Frankly speaking, few students whose parents are wealthy can afford to pay their college education expenses in this present time. A student that cannot meet up with the exorbitant cost of education of a four-year college program depends on nothing but education grants. Therefore, as international student looking for education grants, it is imperative to know the appropriate channels where you will forward your application for education grants in order to get the best out of it. Unlike the students loans where beneficiaries are expected to pay back at a later date, grants are free money offered to students without the intention of repaying later. As against other types of financial aid, grants are primary need-based. For your education grants application to get urgent attention and quick result, such an application must be forwarded to the right center because there are some designated centers that are responsible for the funding of education grants. The federal government, state government and the private/public organizations are the various sources of education grants for international students. In other words, you can apply for the federal government education grants, state education grants as well as the private and public organizations education grants. The federal government has been so much involved in the operations of primary and secondary schools to ascertain that without discrimination, fear or favor, all children are given right to education. For this reason, a lot of students can now attend college due to the fact that the financial and social resources including qualified instructors are in place to guide them. Education grants for international students under the federal government scheme include the Pell grant, Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant and The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART). On the other hand, there are state education grants for international students. These education grants are offered to resident student according to their merit, need and area of specialization. These grants are managed by the state government. Furthermore, there are education grants that are sponsored by private and public organizations. These are different companies that have offered to render education grants help to college students in the environment or area where they are located. Finally, having identified the various channels of education grants for international students, you are also expected to be familiar with the policy for filing education grants for the different sources and you will definitely achieve the best in your bid to get education grants.       Health Insurance, 2013-04-25T10:01:13+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/the_challenges_of_international_studies_to_international_students_revealed http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/the_challenges_of_international_studies_to_international_students_revealed#When:07:55:29Z International studies abroad are a journey of world-discovery and self-discovery because it is beyond mere getting foreign education. As international studies abroad can be exciting for an international student for the opportunity of meeting new people from diverse cultures coupled with the knowledge of living in another dissimilar climate, there are many challenges of international studies to international students. International studies abroad are a journey of world-discovery and self-discovery because it is beyond mere getting foreign education. As international studies abroad can be exciting for an international student for the opportunity of meeting new people from diverse cultures coupled with the knowledge of living in another dissimilar climate, there are many challenges of international studies to international students. Adjusting to the new environment is the first challenge of international studies to any international student. International students find it difficult to get used to the new surroundings of their international studies quickly and there are many times when they feel like going back to their home countries due to loneliness. However, if they keep getting in touch with their family members, the problem of feeling like going back home may be reduced. However, if you have a close associate with whom you can share your thoughts concerning your experience of traveling abroad for international studies in your present country, you may equally be satisfied. Another challenge of international studies to international student is the language obstacle that is common in some parts of the world than the others. However, if a typical international student can adjust effectively to the local culture in the course of his or her international studies, this shows that there is understanding and development for the customs of the area as well as learning the language of that country. Consequently, it may not be necessary for you to learn the language of the native people as a student doing international studies abroad in English. On the other hand, you may find it useful to learn the language, if you have the plan of seeking a job in a country where English is not the first or even second language. Developing a decent understanding may assist you in grabbing a job you want, even though you may not need to become an expert in the language. Taking care of oneself by an international student who is not used to doing things by him or her is another challenge of international student pursuing international studies abroad. For this category of international students, managing all the everyday aspects of life and preparing food for themselves will be difficult for them. Hence, for international studies to be meaningful to these students, they need to make necessary adjustments to become accustomed with the new lifestyle.   Health Insurance, 2013-04-18T07:55:29+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/eligibility_for_international_students_to_partake_in_college_and_university http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/eligibility_for_international_students_to_partake_in_college_and_university#When:15:47:36Z There are various chances for international students to travel abroad and take part in the college and university programs available. These international students have the chance to take part in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives of the degree program of the students in their home country or study at American degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institutions. There are various chances for international students to travel abroad and take part in the college and university programs available. These international students have the chance to take part in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives of the degree program of the students in their home country or study at American degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institutions. There are many benefits of college and university program to international students. As far as school credit is concerned, international college or university students may partake in non-degree granting programs or degree-granting programs pending completion for a duration that is not more than 2 years. Another benefit of international student college and university program is that, under certain conditions such as excellent academic standing at their host institution, students may engage in part-time employment. On the other hand, under the college and university program, student will have the opportunity of participating in academic training with or devoid of wages or other compensation in the course of their studies with the endorsement of the dean of academic or adviser as well as a responsible officer at their sponsor organization. Eligibility However, to be eligible for college and university program, international students must be sponsored straightforwardly by an international organization of which the US is a member by statute or treaty, the government of their home country, the United States government or being supported substantially by funding from any other source different from family or personal funds. Furthermore, the college and university program must be carried out according to a written agreement between American and foreign educational institutions, a state or local government in the United States and a foreign government, an American educational institution and a foreign government, the U.S. government and a foreign government or Student is taking part in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives for the student’s degree program in his or her home country. Finally, for a student to pursue a non-degree college or university program, such international student must be a full-time student in an approved course of study. Inclusive of academic training, 24 months is the maximum duration of a non-degree program.   Health Insurance, 2013-04-08T15:47:36+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/know_the_types_of_international_student_loans_available_prior_to_applying_f http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/know_the_types_of_international_student_loans_available_prior_to_applying_f#When:07:38:49Z With each year passing by, study abroad is becoming more and more popular whether you are a student from the United States traveling to another country or international student traveling to the United States for educational pursuit. As almost six hundred thousand international students look for opportunity to attend college in the United States, more than two hundred thousand students from the United States study abroad every year. With each year passing by, study abroad is becoming more and more popular whether you are a student from the United States traveling to another country or international student traveling to the United States for educational pursuit. As almost six hundred thousand international students look for opportunity to attend college in the United States, more than two hundred thousand students from the United States study abroad every year. However, financial aid concern as it applies to international students is the only challenge of study abroad programs. Auspiciously, international student loans are now accessible to assist international students who want to study abroad. If you want to apply for international student loans, you have to meet certain criteria and eligibility requirements that stipulated that your choice of school must be TERI accepted. On the other hand, you must have somebody in the United States who is ready to consign the loan. Nevertheless, there are an incredible number of choices of international student loans for students from Canada and the United States who want to study abroad. There are Study Abroad Loans applicable to permanent residents as well as the United States citizens who are at present registered in the school that they attend in the United States. For students who have the intention to study abroad for short period of one semester or two, international student loans are outstanding. Apart from the international student loans, there are also scholarships and grants for students who intend to study abroad but have no sufficient fund to cover the total sum of money that will be required by a student. Hence, international student loans are designed to bridge the gap and ensure that any international student who wishes to study in another place will have the chance and necessary finances of doing so. Also available are the Foreign Enrolled Loans. These are international student loans granted to the United States residents and citizens who desire to obtain degrees from higher institutions outside the US, provided that such an institution is an approved one. This program will make fund available throughout the duration of the college career of the beneficiary. Finally, there is the Stafford Loans that are very popular. This type of international student loans is accessible to both permanent residents and citizens of the United States who are qualified. It only applies to students who desire to study abroad at the same time they are still registered in a university or college in the United States as well as to students who wish to register in an accepted international school.   Health Insurance, 2013-04-05T07:38:49+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/About_International_Student_Grants http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/About_International_Student_Grants#When:10:03:34Z In many countries of the world, particularly in US and UK, university education can be very expensive for students. However, with international student grants, funds are available to fund your college or university education if you are the type of student that has the intellectual brightness that is suitable for a world class institution. Therefore, if you are an outstanding student academically, you have the alternative of applying for international student grants that will offer you the opportunity of studying in the best universities, colleges and global schools, irrespective of the country you hail from with free grant money. In many countries of the world, particularly in US and UK, university education can be very expensive for students. However, with international student grants, funds are available to fund your college or university education if you are the type of student that has the intellectual brightness that is suitable for a world class institution. Therefore, if you are an outstanding student academically, you have the alternative of applying for international student grants that will offer you the opportunity of studying in the best universities, colleges and global schools, irrespective of the country you hail from with free grant money. As almost all the major universities in the United Kingdom run scholarship programs, international student grants are easily available for eligible students. On the other hand, grants are available in form of Rhodes Scholarships as well as the prestigious Commonwealth Fellowships. International student grants always cover tuition, maintenance and travel expenses of a typical international student. Nevertheless, to be qualified for these scholarships, you must be proficient in learning, extramural activities as well as ethical vigor of character. You can find out more about international student grants from any British Council close to you if you want to study in the United Kingdom. However, if you want to study in the USA, you can get all the necessary details about international student grants from the Department for Development Support and Management Services of the United Nations. This is the body that is responsible for the administration of funds to students who are from developing nations or countries. However, you must bear in mind that international student grants are not all that easy to come by in the United States simply because such grants are limited. Finally, you can inquire about international student grant options from the embassy of the country you want to study apart from the United Kingdom and United States of America. You are however advised to begin the process of looking for international student grants ahead of time because the free grant money available goes through a serious competition process to ensure that only the most excellent and outstanding students benefit from the free grant money. Health Insurance, 2013-04-03T10:03:34+00:00 http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/Elements-Contributing-to-Cultural-Shock-for-International-Students- http://www.zinternationalstudent.com/blog/Elements-Contributing-to-Cultural-Shock-for-International-Students-#When:21:44:13Z Many international students decided to travel abroad to hunt an electrifying academic know-how in various universities and colleges abroad. As an international student therefore, it is quite a good idea to get yourself mentally prepared prior to your arrival in the new country to overcome cultural shock for international students. This will give you an insight to the basic introduction to what you should expect. However, this piece of writing will identify most common elements that will always contribute to cultural shock for international student abroad. The type of Weather The weather or climate of a particular country is one of the elements that contribute to cultural shock for international students. This is because a lot of students from warmer parts of the world find it very difficult to fiddle with the low temperatures. For international students that chose to travel back to their home country for visitation as a matter of convenience, the winter months are especially difficult to get through. Food On the other hand, international students who have spent all their lives in their home country tend to find it quite difficult to get used to the foods of a new country which are bound to taste different, or prepared differently. However, an international student can easily locate a vendor or supplier who will be willing to offer him or her meals that are prepared to his or her liking, with the world becoming a smaller place The Language International students who don’t have English as their first language will always see coping with the language of their new country as a cultural shock. This is due to the fact that spending days to listen and speak a language which they are not all that comfortable in can be very frustrating. However, international students are advised to choose universities or colleges that teach those languages that they are comfortable in from the perspective of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Clothing You may want to go an extra mile in trying to fit in as an international student. Try to fit into the crowd without having to compromise on your identity, unless you have any personal or religious prerequisites. In addition, it may take you a while before you get used to the heavy winter clothing which the climate of your new country often demands as international student from a warmer climate. Social Good Manners Finally, social etiquette is the most challenging element that any international student must put into consideration before changing academic environment. Although certain behaviors may be surprising, confusing or even offending to students that move to cities from smaller towns for higher education, this is quite understandable. For you to adapt to cultural shock as international student, it is important for you to be patient about getting exposed to how things work in your new environment.   Health Insurance, 2013-03-26T21:44:13+00:00