Straight A's: How to Be a Successful International Student in 10 Easy Steps

HELLO MY FELLOW INTERAMERICANS! Ready to a little study session?

I know you first semester in the United States can be very scary. You will be facing a lot of academic transitions at once: different language, different grading system, different courses and subjects, different professors, all of that in a new country all by yourself (so exciting! YAY!). Also, you will juggle and struggle between all your duties as an international student (-athlete, possibly) and getting good grades. 

Therefore, here I will help you HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN 10 EASY STEPS:

GO TO CLASS, READ THE TEXTBOOKS, AND DO YOUR ASSIGNMENTS

Do not fool yourself, this is actually one of the most important aspects of being a successful student. You should not be missing any classes for no reason. Most of the key issues and pin points will only come from your professor's lectures. 

I know textbooks are really expensive, but if you can afford to buy or rent (new or used) textbooks, do it. Reading them will help you have a better understanding of the subject in ways your professor might not be able to help you.

Make sure you do all your assignments because: 1- it's a great way to review and exercise your brain with the material, and 2- it is part of your grade, so do it and on time! 

TAKE NOTES AND RECORD LECTURES

Believe me, your notes will save your life whenever an exam comes up. You are in an American classroom now, take as many notes as you can so you can revise the material and keep on track with everything that is being said and discussed in class - your brain will not be able to retain every single part of the lectures, but your notes will. 

Ask your professor before the classes start to see if it is possible to record your classes. Explain you are an incoming international student and that would help you a lot to perform better.Recording the audio of the lecture can help you review the material later and have a better understanding of the subject - if you are not the best note taker or if you are more of an audio learner.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Class discussion can get pretty interesting and intense - especially if you participate of them. You are from a different country and will probably have a different perspective from the American students (and professors, yes) in almost everything - especially in the culture related courses. Class discussions is where you can share and hear different opinions without being judged. Most likely, it will be where you will retain most of the subject because you will be engaged, so take advantage of it!

SPEAK UP, ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK FOR HELP

Shy person or not, college is where you will have to learn how to speak up. You will never get the answers you need if you do not ask questions and ask for help. There are many people that can help you through this transition: classmates, professors, advisors, the Center for International Students of your university, Dean of Students, etc. It is ok if you are not a talkative person during the lectures, but make sure to see your professors after class and talk to him about your doubts and concerns - they are there to help you!

GET TO KNOW THE LIBRARY

Personally, it took me a couple semesters to understand the importance of using the library. Do not be a fool like me. As much as your room seems more private and your bed more comfy, there are too many distractions (TV, cellphone, Netflix, roommate, hallway noises, etc.). The library will be the best space on campus to properly focus on studying and doing your assignments - and you will enjoy your room and bed a lot better once your mind is free of any homework and papers.

GET TO KNOW PEOPLE

There are many people around campus that are only there to offer you help. Connect and bond with your professors and advisors (Academic and International) because they will probably be alongside you for the next 4 years and it is very important to build a great relationship with them - it will be worth it down the road. If you feel more comfortable talking to other students, get to know people with the same major you - not only you can have a study group with them, but create a new friendship (or maybe a partnership after graduation?).

REVIEW AND STUDY

Re-read it, re-do it, review it, re-study, and repeat it all over again! Once will not be enough. Remember that all these new material you are covering and learning is in a new language; therefore, until you get your study rhythm figured out, do it and re-do it as many times as you can. Practice leads to perfection.

FIND YOUR STUDY GROUP

Talk with your classmates and arrange study groups to meet regularly or before an important exam. Every person has a different way to study. Even though if you are more a lone-student like me, take advantage of the study groups. You can share notes and opinions, and you will be more prepared than ever for your upcoming exams.

EAT AND SLEEP

Now I will sound like a mom, but I am not wrong. In order to perform well, you need to be fully energized and attentive. You will only be able to be like that by having healthy eating habits and having good and enough sleep. 

STAY ORGANIZED AND DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

This step is basically that, very straight-forward. And very important. It will help you go a long way. You will be a lot more efficient student if you know where to find your materials. And believe me, there is no better feeling than knowing you have done all your assignments and you are free to have some "me-time"!

International student or not, everyone can use a little help with better (and scientifically proven) study practices. Check out this ASAP Science video and let's start studying!!

What do you do to study and perform better at school? 

Let me know in the comments below ;)

xx Isabela

Packing 101: What to Bring to American From Your Home Country

As the traveling day gets closer and closer, you get more and more anxious.

The new and unknown journey you are about to take brings a lot of mixed feelings, such as excitement and joy, fear and cold feet, anticipated home sickness, and a very common condition known as "PPP" - Pre Packing Panic. 

But FEAR NO MORE my old old soon-to-be-international-student friends, I am here to help you! I made you two great packing lists: one is with all the things you should pack from your home country to your brand new American life; and the other is what you should leave behind to save space in your suitcase and buy it in the United States instead - for a very affordable price and probably cheaper than paying for overweighted luggage.

Things to Bring From Home

• Documents and extra copy (including passport, I-20, ID with picture, international driver's license, doctor's prescription notes, etc.) - basically all the important documents you will need for the next 1-4 years
• Pictures, letters, or any cute (and small) object/souvenir that will remind you of your family and friends 
• Proper clothes for day-to-day activities, such as going to classes, working out, practicing your sport, partying, staying at your dorm, etc. - make sure you research for your region's weather to make sure you have the right type of clothes in your suitcase, and do not forget your:
• Swim suit - for the warmer regions
• Winter jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves - for the colder regions (at least one of each for the start of the semester, it will be cheaper to buy those types of clothes and shoes in the U.S.)
• One shower towel - for your first days in
• OTC medicines - you never know what your body goes through in a long international flight, or timezone changes, and change in type of food and eating habits
• Pocket English dictionary - call me old-school, but you can never be too well prepared
• USB Drive
• Books from home - try using E-readers (IPad, Kindle, etc.), save you a lot of space and they are so much lighter to carry around your trip
• Universal power adaptor - you WILL need it, and you can definitely thank me later ;) Don't forget a wireless charger and your headphones #mostimportantofall
• Travel Card / International Credit Card - so much easier and safer than carry around paper money. Make sure you talk to your parents and their bank to know what would be the best option for you
• Herbs, spices and recipes from your country - it will be very hard to find a market that provides food with the taste of home. Do not bring any other type of food, it is illegal and you will get in trouble!
• Make sure you see all your doctors before leaving - health care and doctors appointments are very expensive in the U.S., so make sure to get yourself checked with all your well-known and trustworthy doctors before you leave

Things to Buy After Your Arrival

• Bedding - including sheets, pillows and pillowcases, comforters, blankets, etc. - and towels
• Big and warm winter jackets and winter shoes - if you will be living in a cold-weather place
• Dorm decoration
• School books and materials
• Large everyday items, such as hyegene products
• Shower shoes and slippers
• Laundry bag
• Extension cords
• All purpose cleaning wipes
• Hangers
• Storage boxes - for your clothes and shoes
• Plastic food containers
• Tableware  
• Safe deposit box
• A TV, a small fridge, and a microwave - if you have extra $$$
• Also it is a great idea to get a Social Security Number (especially if you would like to have a work-study position at your school), create an American bank account, and get an American driver license

Here's two great videos from Howdini and Ixigo to bring you some visual hacks on how to save space in your suitcase. Enjoy!

Let me know what are your tips for packing efficiently in the comments below!

xx Isabela

Ever thought about studying in the United States? Welcome and join aboard!

The United States has the world's largest international student population, welcoming over 800,000 students per years - and the numbers keep increasing each year!!

As much scary and overwhelming that these numbers might seem, it is very exciting news because:

• One: You are NOT alone;

• Two: I am here to help you start this amazing journey of being an international student in the U.S. in 5 EASY STEPS:

1 - Get to know your options

There are over 2,000 higher education institutions (aka colleges and universities) in the United States. As long as you pay, you can apply for how many you want, but you can only choose one to go to. How to decide among over 2,000 schools, which one is the best for you? Explore. Research. Study. Communicate. As much as you can.

I would say that there are 2 main ways you can perform step number 1:

• Do it on your own - go on the university website and reach out to people  directly (Coach, Admissions Office, Dean of Students, your major of choice department, etc.). Most of the American universities' website are easy to browse on and offer a lot of information on the school, application processes, and contacts. If you have relatives or good friends that live on the United States, you can also ask them help with research and networking.

• Hiring a specialized company, or agents - if you have no idea how to start or fill out international documentations but you are willing to spend a little extra money to make your dream come true, this is the best option for you. Everywhere, there are plenty of companies and/or agents that are only on business to help you with the process of studying internationally. Reach out to many, but go with the one that you identify the most and believe you can trust. Ask your coach (if you play a sport), friends, or acquaintances that went through the same process for advice. Once you hire the company, they will assist and guide you through all parts the of the process - they will be of most help in university contact and the bureaucracy parts.

Also, to help you narrow your schools-of-choice options, make a list of all the things you are looking for in an university, such as size of campus, location, majors offered, facilities provided, etc. Just remember to keep your mind open for change. The small and not-so-famous universities would probably not be your first choice, but they are still pretty great and offer a lot more than you would imagine.

Here are some websites that will help you in getting to know your options:

• http://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/
• https://educationusa.state.gov/
• http://www.usnews.com/
• http://www.topuniversities.com/

2 - Know your financial resources

Studying in America is not cheap as some might think. You can finance your studies in the United States either by Athletic or Academic scholarship, but that does not mean you will have it for free - some do, some don't. Americans schools do provide a lot of financial support for students to take advantage - however there are a lot less opportunities in this area for international students. The key is to plan in advance by talking to your parents and knowing how much money are you willing to spend in your studies each year. That will help you narrow down the list of schools you should apply to. State schools are usually cheaper, but more competitive. Also, don't forget that scholarships help A LOT, and that is why there is step No. 3!

3 - Study, study, and study

There are 2 main test that international students are required to take in order to get accepted in an American university: SAT and TOEFL. The SAT is a globally recognized college admissions test, in which you have to prove your Math and English (reading and writing) skills. The TOEFL measures your ability to understand English at the university level. Your school acceptance and your academic scholarship will be based on the combinations of your performance in both tests AND your high school transcripts performance. The more you study and the better you do, the more and better schools will accept you and the more money you will be offered.

Studying is not just about preparing for the exams or knowing English and Math. Studying involves preparing for your sport as well - that if you aim to be an student-athlete. Practice, work out and play as much as you can because the life of a student-athlete is more busy than you would believe. You will most likely be required to record a video of yourself showing your technique in the sport, and also state your previous result records so you prove your good performance to your coach - he is the one that will decide on how much athletic scholarship you will receive.

4 - Applied and checked your documents? Almost there...

Once you are all set and done with your exams, videos, and applications it is time to actually set up your your mind and decide on THE school you will be attending for the next 4 (or more) years of your life. That involves a lot of paperwork and documentation being signed and mailed back and forth. 

In order to study in the United States you need to have an student visa (F-1 type). In order to get your F-1 visa approval when you do the interview, you need to have a document signed and approved from the university, which is called I-20. Besides those, you will need: a current and valid passport (in which your visa will be stamped on) and proof of financial support (bank statements, scholarship awards, etc.). Make sure you start off early so you don't get stuck behind later.

5 - Say goodbye to mom and dad because you are ready to go!

By now you're almost done with the first (and honestly less exciting - YES, it's going to get better!) part of being an international student. Make sure you spend some quality time and take a lot of pictures with your family and friends during the pre-boarding time - it will be very special for you and them! And make sure you stay tuned to the next post to see what you should and shouldn't be packing from your home country.

P.S.: Be prepared for stereotypes! Believe me, you will be very surprised (and somewhat entertained) with the amount of weird questions that you will be asked about where you are from. It can (and it will) be frustrating, but if you take it easy with your heart and mind open for some laughs, it will be fun, I promise you. Americans usually get pretty excited with international students and they are only trying to get to know you and your culture better. Besides being a great ice-breaker to meet new people and make friends!

This fun video of Oklahoma State University presents you some of the stereotype-questions you might face as an international student:

Enjoy and see you in the next post! 

Any special topics in your mind? Leave your comments below!

xx Isabela