Introduction
Study in United States is a dream for most Indonesian students who want to continue their studies after graduating school. The United States of America (USA) is known as a the land of promise, because in the beginning, this country were occupied by people who came from Europe. Currently, the ethnicities outside Europe mostly found in this country of Uncle Sam are Mexican, Latin, Africa, China, India and others.
Although occupied by a variety of people from different ethnic groups, they still have the American culture by themselves; you can encounter while living in the United States.
- The USA is a superpower country that is technologically advanced and up-to-date.
- Multicultural society in America.
- The high quality and international standard higher education. Approximately 50% of top 100 universities in the world come from the United States.
- The comfortable and secure learning environment.
- The cost of study is very competitive.
- Permit to work part time 20 hours per week during school period and full time 40 hours during the school holidays.
- Opportunities for OPT (apprentice) to work full time up to twelve to seventeen months in the United States after graduation (depending on the academic major you take).
- A country that is very modern and has lots of interesting and beautiful sights.
Living Cost in The USA
Studying Requirement in The USA
Education in The Usa
Living Cost in The USA
The cost of living like in other places will vary according to the city where people live and the lifestyle of each individual. Major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, for example, have a higher cost of living than other cities. The average required by each student generally range between USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 per month, including the cost of accommodation, meals, transportation, telecommunications, and other daily necessities.
Studying Requirement in The USA
- Student Visa & Health Insurance
International students who want to study in united states must take a full-time study as student visa requirements. All international students in the United States, both at the university and taking only the language school must have an F-1 student visa. In addition, there is also the so called J-1 visa, the visa for a student exchange both for academic and culture; and M-1 visas for people who take non-academic lectures or courses in the United States. Before a student visa, The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) documents called the I-20 must be issued by an institution in the United States as evidence of the student’s admission. SEVIS is an online database of all international students issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Other supporting documents are proof of academic, financial, TOEFL®/ IELTS™ result, birth certificate, family card and pay a USD 160 visa money through a bank designated by the American embassy and the SEVIS fee of USD 200 paid online. Registration visa itself can be done 120 days before intake (date of school entry). However, new students are allowed to enter the United States 30 days prior to school intake. Arriving in the United States, students have to report to the International Office on campus, so that the school can immediately complete the SEVIS system. Negligence for failing to report can lead to a student visa being revoked.
International students studying in the United States must have health insurance during their study. It is also required by the schools so that every student who goes to the United States has an insurance that guarantees cover his health, because the cost of health care in the United States is known to be very expensive. Therefore, the school issues a policy that combines insurance costs with tuition fees, so that students who depart certainly have health insurance during their study. Insurance costs included in the tuition fee range between USD 600 – USD 1,500 per year.
- Accommodation
Lots of accommodation options are available for international students in the United States, ranging from accommodation in university, renting an apartment or house, and the option to stay with a local family-homestay.
For dormitory that is provided by the university, students need to make reservations as soon as two (2) or three (3) months earlier. For students who come earlier, they can stay in a hotel, motel, YMCA youth hostel, or international houses. The cost of accommodation in the United States ranges from USD 700 – USD 3,000 per month.
- Part Time Work
International students are allowed to do part time work inside the campus (on-campus) area only and only for a maximum of 20 hours per week. But after they graduate, students have the opportunity to work full time for up to one (1) year, it is called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students who pursue majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) get a chance OPT up to 17 months.
Education in The Usa
- Primary & Secondary Schools
In general, the length of primary and secondary education in the United States is the same as in Indonesia, which is 12 years. Basic education in primary school is for five (5) years, and then continued by secondary school for seven (7) years. After graduating from grade 12, students will get a High School Diploma; recognized for admission to colleges and universities in the United States. Primary and Secondary School the United States government waive fees for the study population. Private Schools offer the study costs for international students with a range of USD 40,000 – USD 50,000 per year.
- Professional Degree Program (Undergraduate Degree)
The United States has more than 4,760 colleges and universities; including 17 renowned scientific research universities and eight (8) top universities in the world. After getting a high school diploma, students can continue studies for a Bachelor’s degree for four (4) years. Students are expected to determine the direction of interest at no later than the second year.
The term used for the first year students are freshman, the second year is sophomore, junior in the third year, and senior in the last year.
State College and University offer various departments of the levels of Bachelor to PhD. These types of institution are run and owned by the state or local government. Usually the government schools have used the word “State” or by the use of the name of the region, such as the University of Washington. Private College and University are run by the private sector. Besides the higher tuition fee compared to government schools, the number of these schools is quite small.
Community College is a two-year state or public college, which offers two (2) years of education S-1 (equivalent to two (2) years at the university) and is available for local communities. However, many international students who choose modes of this institution for their intensive English language program or ESL and special services such as free tutoring.
Tuition at renowned universities ranges around USD 20,000 – USD 55,000 per year; whereas at the community college costs less, ranges between USD 6,500 – USD 10,000 per year.
Government schools offer a more affordable cost compared to private schools; and community college presents the lowest cost option among other government schools.
Here are some examples of the differences between the Community College University:
Community College – Tuition ranges between USD 6,500 – USD 10,000 – The teaching staffs are professors. – The application process is easier (without SAT). – Adequate facilities. – Have to transfer to a university to earn a degree. – and others.
University – Tuition ranges between USD 20,000 – USD 55,000. – The teaching staffs for the first two (2) years are usually the teaching assistants. -The application process is more competitive (often requires SAT). – The facilities are far above average. – Prestigious. – No need to transfer to another school to earn a degree. -and others.
Lectures in the USA usually begin in August or September and lasts until May or June. Most institutions offer two (2) year terms / semester system, but those that have three (3) terms / trimester or four (4) terms called quarter system.
Credit system in the United States is very general with each course consists of some amount of credit, generally three (3) to five (5) credits. A full time Bachelor program in the university generally consists of 12 to 15 credit hours for four (4) or five (5) subjects per semester. As for full time Masters program is a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per semester.
- Professional Graduate Program (Graduate Degree)
After completing a Bachelor’s Degree, students can move on to the Masters program that the average duration of two (2) years. Often students can be accepted in certain majors Masters program if they obtain a Bachelor degree with related major. However, many exceptions granted to students who wish to proceed to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
Furthermore, students can complete a PhD which takes about three (3) to six (6) years depending on the majors explored, the ability of the student, and the thesis selected. A thesis is a deep research task and it is required as a graduation assignment; sometimes even as a requirement to graduate from the Master Degree, particularly for the Department of Law, Medicine and Dentistry. Tuition for Postgraduate Professional (Graduate Degree) ranges between USD 20,000 to USD 60,000 per year.
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