Top 5 Success Tips For International Students

August Network – July 8, 2020 – on Study Abroad

“The USA has the world’s largest international student population, with more than 1M+ students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States every year”1. While it is certainly exhilarating to be studying in world-class education destination, it is also essential to reiterate that International Students life across the cross-country border can be overwhelming sometimes. 

With few basic success tips, your study abroad experience can be life-changing. If you are an international applicant in the United States, below are some of important tips which you should be aware of.

Rules, Regulations & Benefits While on Student Visa

“While studying in the United States, it is important to maintain your student status. Your status relates to the purpose, or reason for why you want to come to the United States. The Department of State issues you a Student visa based on your intended purpose- this means that you are coming to the United States to Study. You should not take any action that detracts from that purpose”2. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. 

Here are some Basic Guidelines3

  • Keep your passport valid for at least 6 months
  • Keep your local address updated: It must be updated every time you move
  • Maintain full-time enrollment in school
  • Attend the school noted on your I-20
  • Always keep your I-20 valid 
  • Get a travel endorsement before you travel 
  • Be aware of your grace periods: You have a 60-day grace period at the end of your F-1 program

While studying in the United States, you may be eligible to apply for certain benefits. These student benefits are not granted by SEVP and require students to apply to other government agencies to receive them. The benefits you are eligible for will depend on your student status. Visit the following pages to learn more about potential student benefits:

  • Driving in the United States
  • Working in the United States
  • Training Opportunities in the United States
  • Obtaining a Social Security Number?

Resume, Job Search & Networking

It is very important for internationals students to look for the right jobs within a very limited period while on CPT/OPT. Thus, devoting your time in building a well-prepared resume is a great way to begin with your job search. The well-constructed resume can help you to put your best foot forward to thousands of potential employers. OR your school may also have a designated school representative to assist you with writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and identifying potential job leads. These are often free of cost to students/alumni. 

Networking! Networking! Networking! Many a times networking and building connections leads to important job leads, and you can land your dream job before a formal job opportunity is posted on the career websites either through the referrals or direct contacts.

As a note, most employment and training opportunities while on student Visa require authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more information, visit the Employment page on ICE.gov.

Legal Rights & Responsibilities as An International Student

At some point in the college career, an international student may need legal help to assist them challenge accusations, landlord/tenant problems, or many other issues that can arise4. As you pursue and explore your options in higher educations, know that there are organization who can help you to understand this process, can answer questions unique to your situation. In general, non-immigrants in the United States enjoy the same constitutional protections as U.S. citizens do. However, non-immigrants are subject to immigration laws that do not apply to citizens. Violating any of these laws will result in you falling out of your student Visa status and may subject you to deportation. 

There are certain organizations which provides legal assistance and information directly to the public. Some of them are listed below.

  • www.lawhelp.org (an online resource that helps people find free legal aid programs to their legal problems)
  • www.lawhelpinteractive.org (helps individuals without lawyers to generate legal documents)
  • https://www.probono.net/our-work/ (a national online resource for legal aid and pro bono attorneys, law professors and students, and related social services advocates)

Fully Funded PhD or Master’s Program

Opportunities There is no question that we are in the midst of a global crisis. However, In Every Crisis, There Lies an Opportunity. The number of international students to enroll and pursue higher education in the US will likely decline in Summer and Fall 2020 due to COVID 19 concerns. “Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide students with waived tuition and fees. Some also offer health insurance and other benefits.5 Furthermore, the temporary suspension of H1B/L1 Visas have derailed and affected lives of many folks working on Non-immigrant visas. For individuals who have had plans to enroll in a PhD or Master’s program, this is a great option to enter into the US on Student Visa (after U.S. Consulates and Embassies resume normal operations) and get significant career advancement in most valued Universities with full funding. Through our extensive network, we are able to help students with all GPA levels find a better University. For more detailed please feel free to write to us.

H1B Aspirants Switch To DBA Stem Program

If your H1B petition was not selected in the lottery and you do not have enough OPT time left until the next H1B lottery, there are options still available to you. You can apply for another degree or postgraduate courses. One such great option is applying for Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) with STEM. You can get more detailed info here https://augustnetwork.com/Home/LPWestcliff. Please note that it is critical to make sure schools that you are planning to enroll are SEVP certified which will help to land CPT/OPT opportunity. SEVP certification allows institutions to issue Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” to prospective international students after admitting them for a program of study. To find out if a school in the U.S. is legitimate and accredited, check with the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator.

Our commitment is to help students like you, who are anticipating to continue education in the United States. We will evaluate your current visa status and guide you to enroll in most valued Universities. We look forward to hear from You!

References: 

  1. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/
  2. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status
  3. https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/current/f-1/regulations
  4. https://www.fvtc.edu/portals/0/pdfs/global%20education/f-1visainformation.pdf
  5. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/paying/slideshows/fully-funded-phd-programs

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