International Students: What to Expect When You First Get to College

You applied and got 201CThe Email201D: Congratulations, you have been accepted! Yes, first you jump up and down, then you tell your family and friends, and then you start to panic. Oh my, I am really leaving. You really have to get it together and plan things out, so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

So many questions, right?

Well, here I will try to give you some pointers so that you do not feel so disoriented and lost. Other international students have already been there2026and the good news is: we have all survived!

First, get all the paperwork you need and apply for a visa. Fill out all the forms required by the Embassy before the interview, carefully. Bring all the documents you need with you and do not forget to dress appropriately. Remember that they are the ones that will allow you to enter the US and go through with this plan.

Once, you have got your visa, ask the person with whom you have been in contact with in the University/College to give you specific instructions on: 1) when is move-in day (so probably you need to get your ticket two days before it); 2) where you are going to live (what is the Hall2019s name) and who your roommates are, so that you can facebook or AIM them and start a relationship before you get there and see their faces; and 3) how and when to pick out and register for classes.

Secondly, think about packing. What is the weather like? Is it cold? Hot? Think about the fact that you are the one who is going to carry the bags through airports, halls, and most likely stairs in the dorm. Do not forget to pack personal items (i.e. photos, letters, etc) that will get you through 201Cturbulent201D time. Probably you will not need to pack sheets, because there are always stores, where you can buy these kinds of things, close to where you will be living. Do not waste room by packing unnecessary items that you can purchase easily once you get there. Try to have everything ready a week before leaving so that you can take a second look at everything, and make sure you are not forgetting anything that you will later miss.

Thirdly, once you have registered for classes, see if you can get all the syllabi in advance. This will be useful for you to order your books online before you get to school. Usually university bookstores tend to be more expensive than ordering your books online. It is convenient to order them two weeks before classes start, since it takes online companies around that amount of time to get them delivered to you.

Finally, make sure you have facebook and you talk to people who are in the same situation as you are. It will be a lot easier for 201Cknow201D some people before going to school. Everything is easier when you have acquaintances. Do not worry, you will meet people in orientation and have friends as soon as you get there. Make sure you keep an open mind and a good attitude towards all the people you meet. You will have time to choose who your real friends are going to be, but in the beginning you are in no place to reject anyone because of the way they dress, or other shallow stuff.

Trust me, I know that the first night is the hardest one; probably you will be miserable for a couple of days. However, everything starts to pick up as soon as you meet people in class, and you can start enjoying your college life. Try to enjoy it as much as you can and value the opportunity that has been offered to you. Have fun and remember to do well in class! Do not hesitate to ask people for help. People are always willing to help you if you ask them to, do not be afraid to do so.

Finally, have fun, have fun, and have fun. This is a unique opportunity that will change your life. Bare that in mind when the times get rough. There will be moments when you think: 201CWhat am I doing here?201D But remember that you have earned this with hard work and effort. Therefore, enjoy and own it!