New York, USA

The United States

Studying in the United States

When studying in a foreign country there are a few things that need do be considered, such as the language, cultural differences, finances, choosing a college and accommodation. You will also need to have a valid passport and visa to enter the country. Since it takes time to obtain the necessary documentation, it is best to start the process as soon as possible. It is important to become proficient in English to make your stay in the US a good one. You will probably be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before you will be admitted to a US college or university. If you are learning English when you arrive, immersion is the best way to learn any language. American English is filled with idioms and jargon, more so than other languages. You won't be able to learn all the peculiar turns of phrase until you try living the language.
There are a few cultural aspects that you may want to look up before visiting the US, such as telephone etiquette, tipping, smoking, forms of address, and so on. Knowing beforehand acceptable behaviour will make your stay much more comfortable.
It is important to find out the costs involved in studying in the United States. These include college fees, accommodation, transport, food and so on. A US education is very expensive, and there is very little financial aid for foreign nationals to study in the US, with the possible exception of citizens of Canada and Mexico.

About the United States

The United States is made up of fifty states and the capital district, Washington D.C. The US also possesses several territories around the Caribbean and the Pacific. English is the national language, with a population of approximately 303 million people. The United States has a very diverse population with thirty-one ancestry groups containing more than a million members. The four largest ancestral groups are German Americans, Irish Americans, English Americans, and African Americans.

E Pluribus Unum ("From many, one") is the United States motto, appearing on the nation's coins and paper money, and on many of its public monuments. First used to unify the 13 British colonies in North America during the American Revolution (1775-1783), it now holds meaning regarding immigration to the US. More than that of any other country in the world, the population of the United States has increased through repeated waves of immigration. These immigrants had to find ways to reconcile their varied backgrounds and fit together under a constitution and a set of laws. That process of creating one society out of many different backgrounds is one of the biggest stories of the American experience. Immigration gives the United States its distinctive character, and each wave of immigration changed the ethnic, racial, and religious composition of U.S. society. This diversity provided a rich mingling of cultures, but it has also been a source of tension and conflict.