Why Students Choose the USA as a Study Abroad Destination

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Study in the USA

Why Students Choose the USA as a Study Abroad Destination

The consistency with which US universities appear in various international rankings is impressive. Academic excellence is a constant goal for US universities. 17 US universities rank in the top 50 of QS World University Rankings 2023. In fact, the #1 spot is held by an American university - the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The faculty at these institutions consist of recognized authorities in respective specialties. US institutions are also renowned for their innovative and industry-relevant curricula and cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning. Employers and schools in the US will see your degree as proof of your potential and skill.
As an international student, you’ll be reassured thanks to the importance US colleges and universities place on cultural diversity. Thanks to this, you will have an easier time settling into a multicultural campus community. The United States is a cultural mosaic, with people and influences from all over the world represented in many of its regions.Not only will finding communities representing your nationality and culture stave off the homesickness, it also gives you the chance to interact and befriend people from all over the world.
Depending on your program and other criteria, you may be eligible for both{' '} {' '} Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) as an international student. These are opportunities to get professional experience related to your field as a student. Taking advantage of these possibilities can help you make the most of your time working in the United States. You can't replicate the experience of putting what you learn in class into practice in a real-world working setting. One of the world's most advanced economies provides the setting for you to become an expert in your profession. We’ll talk about CPT and OPT in more detail in a bit.

Top Universities & Courses in the USA

US universities, like those in other popular study abroad destinations, have three admission intakes per year: fall, spring, and summer. There are several institutions that only take students in the fall and spring, with fall being the more common option.

Fall Intake: August-September
Spring Intake: January
Summer Intake: May

The best way to determine which university is right for you is to devote some time and effort to research. It is usually a good idea to make a list of what you're looking for in a university and then use this as a starting point for your search. Let’s look at some of the best universities in the USA and the great programs they offer:

University	QS World University Rankings	Popular Courses	Tuition Fee Range Per Year
University of Texas at Austin	72	Undergraduate: USD 40,996 to 57,512 Postgraduate: USD 52,569 to 59,856	Bachelor of Petroleum engineering MS in Information Technology and Management
University of Wisconsin-Madison	83	Undergraduate: USD 28,916 to 58,912{' '} Postgraduate: USD 35,712 to 49,618	Bachelor of Science in Nursing Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	85	Undergraduate: USD 36,998 to 46,944 Postgraduate: USD 32,034 to 49,500	Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering Master of Science in Technology Management
Georgia Institute of Technology	88	Undergraduate: USD 31,370 to 50,270 Postgraduate: USD 29,200 to 41,200	Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics M.Sc. Supply Chain Engineering
Pennsylvania State University	93	Undergraduate: USD 19,286 to 40,151 Postgraduate: USD 29,558 to 41,602	Undergraduate: AUD 29,655 to 39,540Bachelor of Design in Digital Multimedia Design Master of Engineering Management
Rice University	100	Undergraduate: USD 19,286 to 40,151 Postgraduate: USD 29,558 to 41,602	B.A. in Architecture Master of Bioengineering

Scholarships for International Students in the USA

The availability of scholarships is a key consideration while selecting a university. If securing a scholarship is crucial to your study abroad goals, you should devote much time and effort to the process. The most prestigious honors given out at any given institution are also the hardest to win. By diversifying and narrowing your scholarship hunt, you can increase your success rate. Some scholarships in the USA for internationals students are as follows:

International Students Academic Merit Scholarship by East Tennessee State University
International Student Scholarship by Grand Valley State University
Scholarships for Law in the USA by Drake University
Khursheed Fatima Scholarship - Northern Arizona University
Fulbright Scholarship
Least Developed Countries Scholarship - University of California, Berkeley Law

Remember, there are dozens if not hundreds of scholarship options in the USA to explore. You could look into need-based scholarships - awards universities grant to students with financial need - or merit-based scholarships - awards for students who excel academically and in other fields.

Visa Requirements for the US Student Visa

If you want to study in the United States as an international or nonimmigrant student, you'll need an F-1 student visa. After successfully getting admission into your dream US university, you will receive the Form I-20 - one of the most important documents in your international student journey. With the Form I-20 you can start applying for the F-1 student visa. Let's take a look at the requirements:

Passport with validity of 6 months
Original and signed Form I-20 and SEVIS ID
CV/Resume
Filled out DS 160 form
Program and university details
Visa interview
Coloured passport photos
Proof of educational background
Proof of finances

Depending on the country you are applying from, the documents you need for the visa interview may vary. So be sure to look into the requirements when booking and attending your visa interview appointment!

Work Opportunities in the USA for International Students

As an international student in the USA, you have the option of getting work experience in the USA through CPT or OPT. Both CPT and OPT have to be related to the field you are studying in the USA.

What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training allows non-immigrant foreign students studying at a US college or university to work temporarily while in the country. CPT is a part of your curriculum - meaning professional experience is a part and prerequisite of completing your degree.

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training is a period of time during which F-1 students who have graduated or been enrolled in their degree program for more than nine months are authorized by USCIS to engage in practical training related to their field of study. Pre-completion OPT involves working while you are a student, whereas post-completion OPT refers to work after you complete your program. There is a limit of 12 months for OPT - meaning if you worked nine months during Pre-Completion OPT you can only work for three months for Post-Completion OPT. STEM students can extend their stay by 24 months.

During your first year of university, international students on an F-1 visa are restricted 20 hours per week to on-campus work. After this first year, students can access off-campus work opportunities through CPT and OPT.

Concluding Thoughts

When it comes to higher education, the USA stands out as a top destination. You may rest assured that you are beginning your academic career in the proper place thanks to the high quality of educational institutions, the professionalism and expertise of the faculty, the leading edge research and technology used to advance both knowledge and learning, and the energy and excitement of the classroom settings. Studying in the USA provides an unforgettable education and job experience. As a student, you will have many chances to develop into your full potential.