Totally lost

[Juneoh]

Greetings! I am an international student applying for 2016 Fall. I currently have some funding offers and some waitlists that I am still waiting on. Though I had a hard time due to the language barrier I somehow managed to apply to schools and and miraculously some of them want me!

Now, I am thinking about moving across the globe and I am totally lost. I have focused on getting accepted so much that I never thought about what comes next. Possible five years to spend in different continent, different language, different lifestyle... Should I look for an apartment? Is it a good idea to live by myself? Where do I look for a roommate? Does schools normally have a separate option for grad students on housing? I once heard that some schools provide grad students with a one-bedroom apartment unlike undergraduates. How much money should I take with me? What are the things I should avoid? I know these questions are a bit too general but I don't know where to start. 

I'm thrilled and terrified. I'm all ears to any kind of advice. Housing, adopting to new environment, buying a car, or even buying a colored pen.

Thanks in advance, you guys.  

[fuzzylogician]

I suggest you start by browsing and reading relevant posts in the international students portion of the board. Several of us have written long and detailed posts about practically all of your questions in the past. Once you've gotten started and have more specific questions, then it will be easier to help you. 

http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/22-ihog-international-house-of-grads/

[sackofcrap]

Those things will vary depending on the university. I believe most schools offer on campus housing for undergraduates and graduates. The graduate housing is generally separate, in my experience. Depending on what city you are in, it will vary whether or not you 'need a roommate' or not. Some cities are more expensive than others. In a place like Boston or New York, for example, it would be very difficult for a student to afford an apartment without the help of a roommate. In other places, the housing is less expensive, so you can afford an apartment without a roommate.

As for how much money you should take, that will vary by city. If you tell us what city the school is in that you are going to, that would help a great deal. 

[Juneoh]

Thanks! I just browsed the suggested link and it really helped me. 

[hello_kitty]

@Juneoh you 're not alone! I too am an international student for English lit, going through the same feelings of excitement and nervousness! I found your post especilly comforting - it was good to know Im not the only one having mixed feelings! At first I thought that getting an offer is all that takes to make me completely happy for the rest of my life! wasnt prepared for these post-offer nerves! 

[AnthroFilm]

@Juneoh Good luck.. I am an American who did my master's degree overseas (returning back to the States for PhD). I too thought that getting into uni would be the toughest part, but the first several months in the program, halfway across the world were unbelievably nerve wrecking. However, I wouldn't trade it (stress included) for anything, one of the highlights of my life so far. 

These are really good questions, but so specific to the school, and even the department in which you are applying. Some universities provide housing, some don't. Some colleges or departments have various allowances that others don't depending on endowments, size of the department / cohort and prestige. There are so many variables that without specifics it's hard to give good suggestions, but I can say hang in there... after you establish a routine and make some friends (both and and out of the department) it will feel like home in no time. 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2016 by AnthroFilm

[AP]

Great questions. Yes, we have all asked them and responded them but I cannot see the hurt in doing it again

On 4/12/2016 at 0:04 AM, Juneoh said:

Should I look for an apartment? Is it a good idea to live by myself? Where do I look for a roommate? Does schools normally have a separate option for grad students on housing? I once heard that some schools provide grad students with a one-bedroom apartment unlike undergraduates. How much money should I take with me? What are the things I should avoid? I know these questions are a bit too general but I don't know where to start. 

I'm thrilled and terrified. I'm all ears to any kind of advice. Housing, adopting to new environment, buying a car, or even buying a colored pen.

Thanks in advance, you guys.  

1) Apartments: I first asked other grad students that contacted me. Nobody helped much. I went into the university graduate student housing page/whatever and found that they offered off-campus furnished apartment with roommates. In your first year you want to do well in school and adjust properly to the new lifestyle. So I figured that not worrying about furniture, leaving close to campus, and having roommates was a good idea. It totally was. My roommates helped me a lot adjusting, and I was so close to campus that I did not need to think about getting a car yet. Also, I checked for grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices within walking distance. Finally, no huge moving out when I left at the end of the year! By then, I decided I wanted a car and hence needed to pay less rent. So I got a car for my second year and moved in with a friend -again, I didn't get any furniture-. 

2) International students' stuff: There is usually an office for international people on campus that helps with more "legal" matters. You have to report to them when you get to the US and they are the ones that sign your I-20 and help you with tax returns. In my school we also have an office for international students that focus on social events, adjusting, and the like. They receive "used" kitchenware, small appliances, etc. from leaving students and give it for free to other international students. Hence, reach out to both these offices to know more about how to better adjust to the US. They usually have comprehensive guides in their websites that you can start reading now!

3) I arrived in the US a month and a half before I was going to received my first stipend. I didn't bring all the cash with me, but in total I had saved for a month and a half worth of stipend. That's how I worked it out. I bought a couple of things on Amazon to have here when I arrived (sheets, towels, some toiletries). As weeks went by, you more or less begin to sort out what you want/need and what you can get in your nearby store and what you can't. The second thing a bought was a bike

4) Avoid credit unions for opening a bank account. Go to your campus, search the nearby banks and the ATMs on campus and chose a "real" bank, one that has branches elsewhere. For example, I travel often abroad for research so I wanted a bank not with branches abroad but with alliances at least so that if ANYTHING happened, I could go to them. Last summer, something did happen and I could solve it from this associate bank overseas. With cell phones, that's a different story. I've had two less known companies and they have worked VERY well. Because of my frequent travel, I needed an unblocked phone so I could use it overseas. My best investment thus far!

5) You should be paying attention to trimming your clothes/accesories. I remember being cautious about what I wanted to bring because a) I wanted to feel at home (so I brought some decorations) and b ) I wanted also to have some "old" clothes. You'll get rid of them eventually  As a result, I sold a lot of clothes and furniture and that went into my savings account for that first month.

6) Don't rush. You have time to decide. Make a list of priorities and solve them accordingly. For eg, as I mentioned my first year I didn't want to deal with teaching, that's why I applied for schools that did not require teaching in our first year. Picky, I know, but the uprooting and cultural shock are intense enough to add classroom responsibilities. Another of my priorities was to be able to get to and from campus easily. It worked out because in my second year I could decide where to live once I had actually lived in this city. 

7) Rely on other people. You are not the first nor the last international student in your school, your town, your department (hopefully). Use the resources available. Search for forums, communicate, ask, and ask a lot. I have learned that you already have "no" as answer so you might as well ask for help. Yesterday, for example, ten people came to help us move. Ten people could have stayed in their pools and decided to help out. You will build this relationships upon giving and asking, so might as well start now! 

 AP

 

 

[aroundandabout]

This is such a wondeful post! Thank you  it is really helpful to know in advance