Is It Hard to Study Abroad in the USA?

Australia is a great place to study abroad. There are many universities and colleges in Australia that offer quality programs to students from around the world. In this article, we will show some of the common challenges you may experience while studying in Australia. 

It is not hard to study in the USA depending on the school or course of study. Some programs are straightforward while others can be difficult and some schools can be more expensive than others. However, studying in the USA can be done without unbearable challenges. This means that with the right resource and information, you can make your study in the USA easy and possible.

Finding ease in your study in the USA depends on different factors which include the type of university you choose and the city or region in which you study or live. Different people have their programs and school easy while others don’t. You want to choose a straightforward program to find ease in your studies.

However, if you are interested in difficult programs, you should prepare for them and bring your best so that things don’t take you by surprise.

How easy you find your studies in the USA also depends on the level of degree you want and how well you can balance your academic workload and social life. Some students find it hard to achieve this balance so one aspect affects the other. You should be able to find this balance while studying at any level. 

Let’s take a look at some information about studying in the USA such as the educational standard, cultural differences, and how you can overcome these challenges regardless of where you are coming from.

Education Standard

The United States of America is a country with a high educational standard and it’s well known for giving optimum importance to education. To study in the United States, you need to have certain qualities and educational background which I will point out in this section.

The United States does not have an official language but English is the most commonly used language in the United States.

While applying to schools in the USA, you will be required to meet most schools’ English proficiency requirements by submitting your English proficiency results especially if they are English courses.

You can take either IELTS or TOEFL and GRE or GMAT to prove this and you can also take other proficiency exams depending on the requirement of your school or the program.

Some schools may require that you write an essay on a given topic to check your proficiency in the language.

However, some schools may waive English proficiency tests for you if you are from an English-speaking country or if you were taught in English throughout your previous education in your home country. 

To enroll for a master’s studies in Australia, you should have an internationally recognized graduate degree that has lasted for at least 3 years. Alternatively, you should have 16 years of education to be able to study for a master’s degree in the United States.

The degree should be officially recognized by your state and can either be public or private. You should also have graduated with at least 80% in your bachelor’s degree to qualify for a master’s degree in the U.S.   

A doctorate degree in the U.S can last up to 3 years and you should have finished a master’s and bachelor’s degree before.

Cultural Differences

When you arrive in the USA for your studies as an international student, you will meet and experience a different culture from what you are used to in your home country. This new culture and way of life is usually the western culture so you may need to keep an open mind when leaving your home country if you are not already used to it. 

Americans adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the government because they believe it’s in their best interest. You will never find an American disobeying traffic rules or trying to disorganize a queue. It is normal for them to break laws so they try to uphold them as much as they can.

Patriotism is another culture in America that is very dominant. Americans are always proud of their country and culture. They give high regard to people who have served and show utter respect to their country. This is why those who have served in the armed forces are highly respected and well cared for including their families. 

In America, freedom is a way of life. Americans have the freedom to do whatever they like that’s not against the law. They can be what they want to be and do whatever it is they want to do. You may find this level of freedom strange if you are not from a country with such a level of freedom. 

Americans barely have ample free time as they can be hardworking. They work hard to give themselves and their children better lives because they don’t like to depend on others. 

Although the United States does not have an official language, English is the most commonly used language. You will find a handful of people who speak English in the US so you won’t find it hard to communicate with people in English.

However, you may find that they speak English a bit faster than you are used to so you need to take time to hear them. 

Americans dress casually wearing jeans and t-shirts during summer. Thick clothes and sweaters are also very common in winter as a result of the weather. Another reason for the way Americans dress is due to the level of freedom that they have as individuals. Society and government permit people to wear whatever they want to wear. 

Cost of living/Financial barrier

The standard of living in the United States can be as high as reported by economists. What takes up the chunk of your accommodation fee is the rent. So you may want to start cutting things down from here so it can positively affect the rest of your living costs. 

In general, university towns inside the Midwest vicinity of the United States have lower living charges, whereas the East and North East are more expensive.

The common rental starts at $500 according to month (a one-bedroom apartment in a rural area) and goes up to $3,500 (a one-bedroom condo in Boston). So you want to ensure that you take up accommodation in less expensive towns or regions. 

On-campus lodging is typically in dormitories, with or three humans according to room. Residents share bathrooms, bathrooms, and showers. This can be another affordable option for you when it comes to finding low-cost accommodation. 

Food is not expensive in the United States as you can budget an average cost of about $200-$350 per month for your feeding. You can also get a decent meal for as low as $15 if you decide to eat out sometimes. However, cooking at home can help you save much more than eating out so you can get groceries and make food at home. 

Transportation costs about $50-$60 per month. You can cut transportation costs by getting accommodation in school dormitories or on-campus lodging.

This will save you the stress of planning for transportation costs since you only have to walk a few minutes to the school. However, you will need transportation to go to other places that are not close to the school.

Best Practices While Studying in the USA

Now that you have enough information about studying in the USA, let’s take a look at some of the best practices that can help you get the best from living in the USA. 

• You should keep an open mind while studying and living in the USA. To make the best out of your stay in the USA, expect things to be done differently than you were used to. When you keep an open mind, you will not experience too much culture shock and you will be able to embrace the Irish culture with ease.

• Another way to make things easy for you while living and studying in the USA is to make American friends or friends from your country who are now used to the American culture so they can hint you on the best ways to behave. You can also stay observant by watching them and from continuous interaction with them, you will be able to catch up fast. 

• Try to live in your school’s hall of residence as there will be many students like yourself in there and you’ll be able to relate freely with time.

• Seeking counseling from the school is also a good way to get by. The school understands that you are new and are always welcoming to new or international students who need help.

• Watching more American shows or movies before coming to the U.S can help. You get to see how things are done and how people behave and react to certain things.

• Ask questions and be polite. When you are not sure about what to do or say, you are free to ask people and they’ll be happy to help. 

Many international students studying in the USA have been able to blend in the society and culture so you can do so too by following these guidelines and staying positive.