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Scholarship |
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International humanitarian organizations want to promote international education and cultural exchange with the USA. Included in these organizations are the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the League of Red Cross Societies, and the World Council of Churches. Some of these organizations have restricted financial aid, international student scholarships and international student loans. For example, the international student scholarships or aid may only be available to graduate students, students from a specific ethnic group, or students who have chosen a specific course of study. Financial aid and scholarships from these organizations are very competitive, so you need to start your search early. |
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Finally, there are also many universities in the US that provide financial aid and international student scholarships to international students. However, this aid is usually limited and is often more readily available to graduate than undergraduate students. Furthermore, competition for international student scholarships and aid is fierce, and schools are careful to help out the most deserving international students. Good grades and exam scores are extremely important in securing an international student scholarship. Find out whether any of the schools that you would like to apply to have grants, loans or scholarships for international students. If they don’t, and you have not been able to obtain enough funding on your own, you may have to consider other schools that will help. |
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Below are some links for websites that provide information on international student scholarships and financial aid for international students: |
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ScholarshipExperts.com: This site helps
international students who want to study in the USA with time-saving
international student scholarship search tools. It also contains advice
sections for international students.
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): This site provides
a searchable database that contains various sources of aid available to international
students. It is a free service.
International Student Loans: This site offers loans to international students, so long as the international student loan is co-signed by an American citizen.
Fulbright: Fulbright grants are available for international students in graduate school.
Rotary International: This organization provides some limited international student scholarships.
The Soros Foundations Network: This foundation offers international student scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Many are restricted to students from specific countries.
AAUW: This organization provides fellowships for international graduate students who are women.
American Councils for International Education: The councils provide international
student grants and fellowships to international students from the former Soviet
republics.
AMIDEAST: This organization provides grants for international students from the Middle East and North Africa.
Institute for International Education: The institute publishes a book titled Funding for U.S. Study: A Guide for Citizens of Other Nations that provides information on hundreds of grants and international student scholarships offered by governments, foundations and international organizations.
Cornell University Graduate School Fellowship Notebook: This database contains a list of funding and international student scholarships available to graduate international students.
King Faisal Foundation: This organization provides an international
student scholarship program for Muslim students to undertake post-graduate studies
at any USA university. |
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Pre departure Information |
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Pre-departure orientation sessions are organized for students on their way to the foreign destinations following receipt of their student visas. These Sessions give students a taste of what life is like in the foreign, both academically and culturally.
If you have been admitted to a program of study in a foreign college, you should bring with you any syllabi, catalogs, bulletins, course descriptions or other relevant materials issued by the secondary school or university you have attended most recently."
"When travelling abroad, it is important to carry all important documents on your person. Do not put them in a suitcase. Do not loan or give them to anyone unless that person can show you some form of identification that he/she is authorized to receive them."
"Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to have funds transferred from your bank at home to a bank in the foreign - even with a Demand Draft".
"Host Family Programs pair a foreign family with a foreign student for the purpose of friendship and culture sharing. They provide for student visits to a family home for meals, esp. During occasions like Thanks giving or Christmas.
"For festive occasions, bring a traditional dress and accessories from your country. You may also want to bring any musical instruments you play, pictures of your home, recordings of traditional music and examples of arts and crafts of your country."
Carry some books on Indian Culture and religion. Be prepared to answer questions, often in depth, say on your religion.
Indians tend to stick together when in foreign shores. While this is helpful in getting used to a new place, you tend to lose out on learning about new cultures and countries. Try to make friends from other countries too.
British Airways usually allows students to carry an extra piece of luggage, over and above the mandatory 2 suitcases and a handbag. If you haven't already chosen your airline, go for BA.
Keep your identification on all your luggage, inside and outside. Missing luggage isn't as rare as you expect it to be. For this reason, it also helps if you keep all important papers and cash in your handbag only, not in the suitcases.
Don't carry $100 bills. People do not usually have change for a 100 in cabs and most shops. It is preferable to carry $10, $20 notes instead. Also do not carry more than $200 in cash if you can help it. Use a credit card, ATM card or travellers cheques. Less chance of loss or robbery this way.
Even an international demand draft usually takes about 2 - 4 weeks to get cashed. Carry enough money with you to last you for the first month or so.
Get an International Driving Permit if possible. It is needed to get a driver's license in foreign. A driver's license is an important identification card in abroad, right after your passport. Since you do not want to carry your passport everywhere, it makes sense to get a license. You will need one for cashing a cheque, even issuing one, for renting a car or a house, in fact for most transactions. If you do not know driving, you can even ask the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a non-driving license to you, used only as an ID card.
Learn to ride a bicycle in case you do not already know it. Students on most campuses ride bicycles - they're cheaper and healthier than cars. An old bike costs about $50 - 60, while a new one will set you back by $90 or more.
Keep a day's change of clothes in your handbag. This way, if the airline screws up real bad and loses your entire luggage, you will not have to buy clothes immediately. |
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