Jump to content

Panda77

Members
  • Posts

    14
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Profile Information

  • Location
    Rome, Italy

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

Panda77's Achievements

Decaf

Decaf (2/10)

0

Reputation

  1. Well, I’ll tell you what I will do. I’ll take some cash with me, but not much say about $1000 (enough to pay the first month of rent, the university fees, plus say $300 to open the bank account and minor expenses). I will definitely bring my old credit card and I’m 99% sure I won’t close the bank account in my country (unless my current bank advise me otherwise). Keeping track of two accounts isn’t really too hard especially because my intend is to live out of the money my assistantship provides and use my current funds as backup or extras (say a trip back to my country over the holidays). Initially I might need to transfer something (indeed, the idea of the money order is interesting, I will need to check into that one) for the first month, but really not much. Thereafter, I will just use my stipend. Btw, settling in will not require two month rest assured, is the U.S. we are talking about! Things over there are done efficiently and even if you might need some time to figure out how the system works (given that you come from another country) once you have everything will go smoothly. Obtaining a SSN will probably not require too long (here I’m just guessing but I would bet on one maximum two weeks) and perhaps it might just take minutes! Also, it is very much possible you won’t need a SSN to open a bank account (it was a long time ago, but last time I did it I didn’t had a SSN).
  2. I'm sorry AspirEEng, I don't really have the details and I doubt it will be easy to find this information from outside the US. Personally, I will just wait to arrive and take care of things from there. Oh, btw, I was just charged $38 for a wire transfer. I wouldn't call it an "obscene amount of money," but you are right it isn't cheep!
  3. Ok, I'm not 100% sure as this information might be somewhat outdated, but ... To open an account shouldn't really be a problem, just take some cash with you, deposit it at the bank and that should be all it takes. For the credit card, indeed there could be some issues regarding you missing a US credit history and the way to go is not to apply for a newly issued credit card but instead to have your old credit card (assuming you have one from your country) converted into an American one. As for the ransfering of fund, I'm really not sure (I haven't looked into that yet) but I'm afraid that if there are fees to pay you will simply have to pay them. Anyhow, the best source of info is your current bank, ask them and I'm sure they'll help you out finding the best solution for you.
  4. ok, I guess now I see the point of worring. Anyhow, I think I have the answer 1. your immigration status (assuming you will have an F or J VISA) has nothing to do with the status you will have for tax purposes. There is no correlation between your VISA and your need of a SSN/ITIN (these are used ONLY to file your tax return!) so no matter on which type of VISA you will be you are still eligible for both the SSN and the ITIN. 2. The only distinction between having a SSN and a ITIN is your eligibility to be employed in the US. If you'll be working (eighter on or off campus) then you will be eligible for a SSN. As discussed somewhere else, in fact, even if your only job will be a TA/RA the money you gain from it will be taxable and that's why you need a SSN. Indeed, a ITIN is only issued in the "special" case in which you are not eligible of working, otherwise the SSN is the standard. From the IRS web site we read: "Most foreign students and scholars in F-1, J-1, M-1, Q-1, and Q-2 nonimmigrant status are eligible to be employed in the United States, and are therefore eligible to apply for an SSN if they are actually employed in the United States." Here are the links to the IRS and SS web sites, they are full of useful information as for exapmle that we internationals (on F, J,M,and Q visas) don't have to pay social security and medicare taxes, yuppy!!) http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/int ... 31,00.html http://www.ssa.gov/
  5. Panda77

    Life After Taxes

    hey passerby, thanks for your great post! I have another question if you happen to pass by again Does it work in the same way for internationals too? I read somewhere (can't remember where for the life of mine!) that you might be entitled to a refund (of all or a part of what you paid in taxes) at the end of the year if you are an international is that true? I guess that referred more of federal than state taxes, but I really don't know. Also, you suggested to see a tax expert as soon as possible. I know my university offers a "we'll help you with your taxes" service (especially for internationals if I remember correctly) do you think that would do?
  6. I think that if you have a job (any type of job, even if only inside the university as a TA for example) you'll need a SSN. I'm not sure though. Anyhow, why are you worring about that right now? There is really no need to. Get your VISA first (I would prefer an F-1 to avoid any foreign recidency requirement if at all possible) and deal with the SSN issue once you are in the US, I'm sure you'll have help and support by your university in dealing with it, they will help you decide the best option given your specific case.
  7. Hey rethinking, I’m really sorry to hear that. Personally, I would have postponed this decision till the end of your first year in grad school; by that time you would have had a much better idea of the program, the location of the university, and how well you were able to cope with being away from your close relatives. I don’t know, my opinion is that a year goes by really quickly and probably would have allowed you to know for sure and don’t second guess your decision in the future. Anyhow, that’s just my idea of course and I do respect your decision and really hope it was the best one for you. Btw, if you feel like telling us your story and what brought you to change your mind I would be more than happy to read it. All the best.
  8. Hey rethinking, My situation is very similar if not even worst. As for the age, I’m 28 as well and will start my PhD in the fall (right before turning 29!) and family wise not only I’m still not married, but I will be moving from another continent (Europe) where I will be living my family and friends who I plan to visit once or twice a year (over Christmas and during the summer, that is if I don’t have to work over the summer of course). So you see, I can understand very well how you feel, I know the first period will be hard (given the fact that I won’t have friends around) I will miss my family and my country, and I will have to be really careful money wise (although the cost of living where I’m going is farley low). Still, I do believe that a PhD is what I want in terms of career plans and so it all will be worthwhile. Mi suggestion is to try to detach yourself from your contingent situation and try to see yourself in a 10-year time. What do you envision yourself doing in terms of your career? Do you need a PhD to do that? If that’s so than go for it and you’ll see that everything else will work out. I understand your concern about children (I’m a woman too) but really think that too will simply come very naturally. Personally, I would really like to be able to plan my life in detail, but I realize that is impossible, what I can do though is set my priorities. I know I will want to have kids someday and if this will mean taking a year or two longer to complete my PhD so be it, and if taking care of my family will mean less time devoted to research and not winning a Nobel prize oh well, I’m ready to give that up! And even more my concern goes on whether I will be able to return to my country (given the fact that the job market here might not be that great), but again things will probably just get themselves straight out when the time comes though. I believe that no decision we make today will completely drive the rest of our lives, things change with time and we will be called to make so many more life altering decisions. It is, and will always be, hard to make such decisions though, so is completely normal to feel hesitant!
  9. yep, me too ... I'm 28 and will start my PhD in the fall (turning 29 soon after starting). I applied last year too and was rejected by all the school, but learned a lot by the experience and did much better the second time around. Don't get discxouraged, if grad school is what you want go for it! BTW, next time do apply to many more schools, 3 is really not enough!
  10. Yes, Debating is right, the only thing is trying to speak, read and write in English as much as you can. Remember, practice makes perfect! Anyhow, give yourself time it's a slow process but eventually will come out naturally. Again the most important thing is not to be afraid to mess up because this will lead you into avoiding speaking in English
  11. Thanks a lot guys, your info were really valuable. I think I have a good picture of the place and indeed I will probably enjoy staying there (well not for the rest of my life maybe, but for 4-5 years it should be more than fine!) I just have a small question, I know there is no airport in town and the closest one is in Cedar Rapids and I assume long distance busses also stop there, how exactly can you go from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids. I know there is a shuttle service from the airport, but is $30 one way! Is there any other way of making the trip (I don’t think I’ll buy a car, at least not for the first couple of years). From Google Maps it seems like there is a railroad connecting the two .. is there a small commuting train or something? Thanks already.
  12. Can anyone help here? I know, the city is small, but the school’s big so maybe someone did his/her undergrads there. I’m an international student and any info would really be appreciated. Thanks!
  13. I really like the new look of the forum, it even colors up the unread messages (well if you are a registered user of course). Nice job Barista!!!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use