TRAVEL
Student checklist for travelling to USA:
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Passport
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Airline tickets
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Travel insurance certificate
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Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution;
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Key addresses and phone numbers
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A bank statement showing proof of funds
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Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
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Traveler's cheques—if applicable
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Medical and immunisation records
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Academic history and university transcripts
SCHOLARSHIP
USA Government Scholarships for International Students
Foreign Fulbright Student Program :
The Fulbright Program are full scholarships in USA for international students who wants to pursue a Master's or PhD degree. The scholarships can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. The grant covers tuition fee, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
Humphrey Fellowship Program :
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. The fellowships are full grants covering all related expenses.
Institutions that fund international scholarships for study in the US
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides full scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue development-related studies at selected Universities around the world. Students can choose to study in 8 participating USA Universities including Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Cornell University and Columbia University.
AAUW International Fellowships
AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) awards international fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship are worth $18,000 for Masters, 20,000 for PhD and $30,000 for Postdoctoral students.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. The studies can be undertaken anywhere in the world including the US. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.
COST OF LIVING
The cost of living in US might vary from $10,000 to $12,000 approximately per year.
Cost of Living includes following expenses:
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Books and study materials will cost $500 to $1000 approximately per academic year
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Travel costs within the US will be between $300 and $700 approximately
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Room and Board will cost between $3000 and $7500 approximately per year. Allow an additional $1000 to $2000 for vacation periods when the dormitory might be closed
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If you will be living off campus, the cost of renting an apartment will be between $300 and $600 a month, but could be much higher contingent on the location of the school. Meals should cost about $2500 a year, assuming that you do not fancy too many outings
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Clothing will cost $500 or more annually (if you go to cold place, you better buy some clothes that suit their weather; otherwise you may shiver)
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Personal expenses will cost around $2000 approximately per year
LIFE IN THE COUNTRY
Phone Code: 00 + 1 + City Area Code + Number
Capital City: Washington DC
Languages Spoken: English is the main language spoken
Time Difference: The US follows nine time zones. India is 11:30 hours ahead of US time. Daylight saving time begins at 2:00 am local time form the second Sunday of March.
Cuisines: The influx of people and cultures has given rise to a mixed palette. While fast food like burgers, fries, pizza, sandwiches and processed food are more popular, you will also find different cuisines like Chinese, Thai, Indian, Italian etc available readily
Climate: The weather condition in the US changes with location. It varies from extreme winters to pleasant summers.
