UNITED STATES

Study in United States is a dream for most Indonesian students who want to continue their studies after graduating school. The United States of America (USA) is known as a the land of promise, because in the beginning, this country were occupied by people who came from Europe. Currently, the ethnicities outside Europe mostly found in this country of Uncle Sam are Mexican, Latin, Africa, China, India and others.

Although occupied by a variety of people from different ethnic groups, they still have the American culture by themselves; you can encounter while living in the United States.

INFO STUDY IN UNITED STATES

  • The USA is a superpower country that is technologically advanced and up-to-date.
  • Multicultural society in America.
  • The high quality and international standard higher education. Approximately 50% of top 100 universities in the world come from the United States.
  • The comfortable and secure learning environment.
  • The cost of study is very competitive.
  • Permit to work part time 20 hours per week during school period and full time 40 hours during the school holidays.
  • Opportunities for OPT (apprentice) to work full time up to twelve to seventeen months in the United States after graduation (depending on the academic major you take).
  • A country that is very modern and has lots of interesting and beautiful sights.
The cost of living like in other places will vary according to the city where people live and the lifestyle of each individual. Major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, for example, have a higher cost of living than other cities. The average required by each student generally range between USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 per month, including the cost of accommodation, meals, transportation, telecommunications, and other daily necessities.

  1. Student Visa & Health Insurance

International students who want to study in united states must take a full-time study as student visa requirements. All international students in the United States, both at the university and taking only the language school must have an F-1 student visa. In addition, there is also the so called J-1 visa, the visa for a student exchange both for academic and culture; and M-1 visas for people who take non-academic lectures or courses in the United States.

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Before a student visa, The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) documents called the I-20 must be issued by an institution in the United States as evidence of the student's admission. SEVIS is an online database of all international students issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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Other supporting documents are proof of academic, financial, TOEFL®/ IELTS™ result, birth certificate, family card and pay a USD 160 visa money through a bank designated by the American embassy and the SEVIS fee of USD 200 paid online. Registration visa itself can be done 120 days before intake (date of school entry). However, new students are allowed to enter the United States 30 days prior to school intake. Arriving in the United States, students have to report to the International Office on campus, so that the school can immediately complete the SEVIS system. Negligence for failing to report can lead to a student visa being revoked.

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International students studying in the United States must have health insurance during their study. It is also required by the schools so that every student who goes to the United States has an insurance that guarantees cover his health, because the cost of health care in the United States is known to be very expensive. Therefore, the school issues a policy that combines insurance costs with tuition fees, so that students who depart certainly have health insurance during their study. Insurance costs included in the tuition fee range between USD 600 – USD 1,500 per year.

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  1. Accommodation

Lots of accommodation options are available for international students in the United States, ranging from accommodation in university, renting an apartment or house, and the option to stay with a local family-homestay.

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For dormitory that is provided by the university, students need to make reservations as soon as two (2) or three (3) months earlier. For students who come earlier, they can stay in a hotel, motel, YMCA youth hostel, or international houses.

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The cost of accommodation in the United States ranges from USD 700 – USD 3,000 per month.

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  1. Part Time Work

International students are allowed to do part time work inside the campus (on-campus) area only and only for a maximum of 20 hours per week. But after they graduate, students have the opportunity to work full time for up to one (1) year, it is called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students who pursue majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) get a chance OPT up to 17 months.

Country USA Education

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  1. Primary & Secondary Schools

In general, the length of primary and secondary education in the United States is the same as in Indonesia, which is 12 years. Basic education in primary school is for five (5) years, and then continued by secondary school for seven (7) years. After graduating from grade 12, students will get a High School Diploma; recognized for admission to colleges and universities in the United States. Primary and Secondary School the United States government waive fees for the study population. Private Schools offer the study costs for international students with a range of USD 40,000 – USD 50,000 per year.

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  1. Professional Degree Program (Undergraduate Degree)

The United States has more than 4,760 colleges and universities; including 17 renowned scientific research universities and eight (8) top universities in the world. After getting a high school diploma, students can continue studies for a Bachelor's degree for four (4) years. Students are expected to determine the direction of interest at no later than the second year.

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The term used for the first year students are freshman, the second year is sophomore, junior in the third year, and senior in the last year.

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State College and University offer various departments of the levels of Bachelor to PhD. These types of institution are run and owned by the state or local government. Usually the government schools have used the word "State" or by the use of the name of the region, such as the University of Washington. Private College and University are run by the private sector. Besides the higher tuition fee compared to government schools, the number of these schools is quite small.

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Community College is a two-year state or public college, which offers two (2) years of education S-1 (equivalent to two (2) years at the university) and is available for local communities. However, many international students who choose modes of this institution for their intensive English language program or ESL and special services such as free tutoring.

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Tuition at renowned universities ranges around USD 20,000 – USD 55,000 per year; whereas at the community college costs less, ranges between USD 6,500 – USD 10,000 per year.

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Government schools offer a more affordable cost compared to private schools; and community college presents the lowest cost option among other government schools.

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Here are some examples of the differences between the Community College University:

Community College - Tuition ranges between USD 6,500 - USD 10,000 - The teaching staffs are professors. - The application process is easier (without SAT). - Adequate facilities. - Have to transfer to a university to earn a degree. - and others. University - Tuition ranges between USD 20,000 - USD 55,000. - The teaching staffs for the first two (2) years are usually the teaching assistants. -The application process is more competitive (often requires SAT). - The facilities are far above average. - Prestigious. - No need to transfer to another school to earn a degree. -and others.

Lectures in the USA usually begin in August or September and lasts until May or June. Most institutions offer two (2) year terms / semester system, but those that have three (3) terms / trimester or four (4) terms called quarter system.

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Credit system in the United States is very general with each course consists of some amount of credit, generally three (3) to five (5) credits. A full time Bachelor program in the university generally consists of 12 to 15 credit hours for four (4) or five (5) subjects per semester. As for full time Masters program is a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per semester.

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  1. Professional Graduate Program (Graduate Degree)

After completing a Bachelor's Degree, students can move on to the Masters program that the average duration of two (2) years. Often students can be accepted in certain majors Masters program if they obtain a Bachelor degree with related major. However, many exceptions granted to students who wish to proceed to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

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Furthermore, students can complete a PhD which takes about three (3) to six (6) years depending on the majors explored, the ability of the student, and the thesis selected. A thesis is a deep research task and it is required as a graduation assignment; sometimes even as a requirement to graduate from the Master Degree, particularly for the Department of Law, Medicine and Dentistry. Tuition for Postgraduate Professional (Graduate Degree) ranges between USD 20,000 to USD 60,000 per year.

GEO & CULTURE

LOCATIONS OF THE USA

Country USA Map

This country that is located on the American continent has an area of more than nine (9) million km2; with a total of 50 states. State of Alaska is the largest state located in eastern Canada; while Hawaii is the smallest state located in the Pacific Ocean. America is ranked the third country, after Russia and Canada, for its total area of land and sea.

THE USA CLIMATE
Basically, the USA has four (4) seasons; but because of the vast area, the climate of this country is varied and there is a significant temperature difference. Starting from the heat of the desert in Nevada, the tropical climate in Florida, snow in New York, up to Alaska subarctic climate.

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A period of four (4) seasons in the United States is as follows :

- Summer : June-August

- Fall : September to November

- Winter : December to February

- Spring : March-May

THE USA TIME ZONE
Because of the magnitude of the country of origin of hotdog, they have six (6) different time zones. There is also the case within one (1) state there are two (2) different time zones, like in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho and others. Almost all places in the United States, apply the Daylight Saving Time during summer from the second week of March to the first week of November, by adjusting the time into one (1) hour earlier.

- Hawaiian Standard Time (EST) : GMT-10 or Indonesia WIB -17

- Alaska Standard Time (AKST) : GMT-9 or Indonesia WIB -16

- Pacific Standard Time (PST) : GMT-8 or Indonesia WIB -15

- Mountain Standard Time (MST) : GMT-7 or Indonesia WIB -14

- Central Standard Time (CST) : GMT-6 or Indonesia WIB -13

- Eastern Standard Time (WST) : GMT-5 or Indonesia WIB -12

PEOPLE IN THE USA
In addition to the size of the territory, the population of the United States ranks third in the world, after China and India with more than 300 million people and most of them live in the suburbs. Most residents of the United States are the descendants of German, Irish, and English, followed by Africa, China, and the Philippines, as well as Latin, and more. This makes the United States a country with multiculturalism. The national language spoken in the country of origin of fast food is English, with a Spanish-speaking minority.

TRANSPORTATION IN THE USA
Just like in Australia, Singapore or the United Kingdom, the transportation which is widely used daily in the USA is car. However, the large and metropolitan cities usually can rely on the public transport systems such as buses, subway or tram. Students can use subscription tickets that are cheaper and can easily be purchased at the public transport office, drug store or the post office. For inter-city transportation, traveling by train is very convenient. If you choose to use public transport, the cost is quite affordable, i.e. the range of USD 100 – USD 200 per month.

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Remember, driving drunk because alcohol or drugs is a serious offense. The use of seat belts for the driver and passengers are required by law.

GOVERNMENT OF THE USA
The US government runs a federal system of the oldest in the world. Government takes the form of the constitutional republic and representative democracy, with three (3) levels : Legislative (Congress of Parliament), the Executive (President), and the Attorney General (Supreme Court).

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United States consists of 50 states located in the land of America, including Alaska and Hawaii. Additionally, this superpower country also has five (5) territories outside the mainland United States, namely Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Babies who are born in this territory will get American citizenship, except in American Samoa.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
The United States is a land of dreams for endless entertainment. Every major city from the west to the east coast, offers its regional characteristics. Therefore, while studying in the United States, make time to visit other towns in the country of origin of GE.

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  1. Times Square, Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Times Square is the name of a major street intersection in Manhattan, New York City (NYC). Right in the middle of this area there are buildings of One Times Square where the ceremony of taking down the Times Square Ball is done every New Year's Eve. Often referred to as the World Interchange or the Great White Way, Times Square is the symbol of New York City and the USA.

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Metropolitan Museum is an art museum belongs to the USA that is known to be the oldest and largest with more than two (2) million collections of works of art, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in NYC with total visitor nearly five (5) million people annually.

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Central Park is a public park that is very knowledgeable in the area of Manhattan, where there are a lake, beautiful statues, flora and fauna, as well as big trees. No wonder if every year the park is visited by about 25 million people at the same time making it the most visited park in the United States.

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  1. National Mall & Memorial Parks in Washington DC

National Mall and Memorial Parks are symbols of national identity and history of the United States valuable national parks as well as to the memory of national history. The National Mall is a unique example of the incorporation of national history with a relaxed lifestyle and the needs of current life.

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  1. Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is often called Quincy Market is a market that offers all kinds of food, shopping and live entertainment. The building that was burnt in 1761 and was rebuilt in 1762 is now one of the historic buildings in the United States.

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  1. Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World Resort is also called Walt Disney World or Disney World is one of the largest media and entertainment company, was opened to the public since 1971. The company was started by Walt Disney who had the vision to create a "community of tomorrow", and his brother Roy Oliver Disney that continued to build the entertainment world after Walt died. Four (4) theme parks are very attractive and it is the children's dreams to visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. In addition, facilities such as golf, water park, resort, camping place, and others are all available here.

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  1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, NC

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park that aims to preserve the environment in the future. There are lots of activities to do here such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, and others.

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  1. Grand Canyon in Arizona

Grand Canyon is a steep canyon cliffs that 'sculpted' by the Colorado River in northern Arizona. The canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is mostly located in Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States. The canyon was formed from the flow of the Colorado River that cuts a strait for millions of years. Grand Canyon was first seen by Europeans in 1540, but long before that time the region has been inhabited by Native Americans who built a residence in the canyon walls.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE USA
  • First university in the United States is Harvard University which was established in 1636.
  • The average person in the USA uses 80-100 gallons of water every day.
  • During the Civil War, there were more men died from disease than attacked by a shot or getting into fights.
  • Ice tea was first presented in 1904 at the exhibition St Louis World's Fair.
  • The state of Florida is bigger than Britain.
  • The United States has a very strong reputation in the field of scientific research, technological invention, and is a leader in the field of science and technology such as Information Technology (IT), space research, biotechnology.
  • Nobel Prize is mostly obtained by the USA with a total of 320 awards. The discovery in the field of technology has been started since 1876, namely the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, a light bulb by Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers for airplanes, and more.