Encyclopedia of Living in the United States

Entering the new semester and embarking on the journey of studying abroad in the United States, your future is about to bloom here. In order to protect you from the interference of the new environment, Kane has specially prepared a life encyclopedia for new students studying in the United States, so that you will not be troubled by trivial matters in the new environment

Preparation before entry

Essential Items

I believe many students may feel anxious when preparing their luggage with a pile of items to pack, but in fact, we adhere to the concept of "bringing only the necessary and not the unnecessary", so we won't be confused!

Documents and Information

Passport (valid for more than 6 months), valid visa

I-20 Original/Copy (3 copies)

Admission letter (electronic version can be printed without original copy)

SEVIS receipt

Physical examination and immunization certificate

COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate and Nucleic Acid Test Report (both in Chinese and English)

TOEFL, SAT, GRE and other transcripts

Original Chinese and English stamped graduation certificate and transcript

Dual currency credit card or overseas cash withdrawal savings card

A small amount of cash (not exceeding $5000)

School payment receipt (if any)

Driver's license (some states may waive relevant driver's license examination procedures)

Other documents (such as ID photos, household registration books, ID cards, medical records, etc.)

Attention: When entering the country, customs will require you to check your identity documents (such as I-20), so be sure to carry them with you

Daily necessities

Common medications (such as cold medicine, antipyretic medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, stomach medicine, burn medicine, etc.)

Glasses and contact lens products (as these products are very expensive in the United States, it is recommended to prepare 2 pairs of frame glasses)

Conversion plug

Temporary phone card (convenient for contacting airport pick-up personnel after landing)

Accessories for mobile phones and computers (such as charging cables, power banks, card readers, etc.)

Some students may feel that these are not enough. The editor's suggestion is to bring some daily necessities with a large price difference between the two countries if there is still surplus luggage, provided that all necessary items have been brought.

Entry process

Pre entry

It is necessary to organize the entry materials in advance and carry them with you. It is recommended to provide the original documents, three copies, and an electronic version

passport

visa

Customs code (screenshot after filling in personal information in the mini program 'Customs Passenger Fingertip Service', valid for 24 hours)

Accommodation information (student visa recommendation: prepare rental contract, dormitory information)

Essential documents for international students (I-20, school admission notice, graduation certificate, degree certificate, SEVIS payment certificate, etc.)

Entry process

After disembarking, all passengers must move to the Foreigners/Non citizens/Visitors entry channel to queue up and receive customs inquiries.

Hand over the previously prepared documents to the customs staff and prepare to take photos and scan fingerprints. At this point, customs may ask you some questions. The most common ones are:

Where are you from?

What school do you attend and what is your major?

When does the class start?

How long is the project duration?

Please be sure not to be nervous and maintain confidence. Just answer truthfully. After the above process is completed, you can go to the airport lobby to pick up your luggage! (Note: If you carry more than $10000 with you, you need to declare it in advance. It is prohibited to carry meat, dairy products, plants, soil, pirated books, counterfeit goods, etc.)

Must do after entering the country

SSN Social Card

The Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine digit digital identification issued by the U.S. federal government to citizens and residents, similar to the domestic ID card number. International students with SSN can enjoy many conveniences and handle multiple affairs conveniently. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

To apply for SSN, you first need to log in to www.ssa.gov and check your nearest Social Security Office based on your postal code. To apply for SSN, you need to prepare your passport, I-94 form (search and download on Google), and SS-5 form (download from www.ssa.gov or fill in on-site) in advance.

On the day of processing, after arriving at the Social Security Office, follow the guidance of the staff to complete the processing; Generally, it takes about 10-14 working days to receive the SSN.

Bank Account

It is not recommended to bring too much cash when entering the United States, as amounts exceeding $10000 require active declaration. Therefore, in order to cope with expenses upon arrival in the United States, it is recommended to bring an appropriate amount of cash and a VISA card. But living in the United States for a long time, relying solely on a VISA card is not convenient, so it is necessary to apply for a US bank card.

Many American banks have launched special offers for international students, the most common of which is waiving monthly service fees. For example, Bank of America can waive this fee for students under the age of 25 who apply for a student account.

The account opening process is relatively simple. Before opening an account, prepare your passport, visa, documents that can prove your legal identity in the United States (such as I-20, DS-2019, SSN), as well as your address and phone number in the United States.

(Note: It is recommended to prepare a small amount of cash as a contingency measure.)

Phone Card 

Applying for a phone card is a very important part of studying abroad in the United States. With a phone card, it is easy to communicate with friends and family.

Major mobile phone operators in the United States include AT&T; T. T-Mobile, Verizon, and smaller companies such as Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile, Metro, etc. Compared to large operators, small operators have lower costs. It is recommended to choose a suitable operator based on your own needs and budget.

When applying for a phone card, simply bring the original passport and the bank card used to pay for the phone bill. The salesperson will help you verify your identity, register an account, select a phone number, and plan your package.

(Note: Please make sure to save the ACC number, online password, PIN code, and other information.)

Driver's License

Many international students who first arrive in the United States will find it difficult to move without a driver's license, and getting a driver's license quickly is the truth.

In the United States, the requirements for driver's license exams vary from state to state. Register on the DMV website of your state (search for 'apply for driving license' on Google and add your state).

After registration is completed, first pass the written exam and download the certificate of passing the written exam. Afterwards, you can prepare the necessary documents for obtaining a driver's license, which usually include a passport, proof of residence (including your full name and address, tuition bills, rental contracts, bank statements, etc.) SSN、 Proof of lawful residence in the United States (I-20, DS-2019, I-94, student visa, etc.)

Afterwards, participate in vision and knowledge tests, and upon passing, apply for a temporary study permit and take a road test. After passing the road test, you will receive a temporary paper driver's license, and the official license will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

Utilities/DWP Account

During their study abroad in the United States, students living in school dormitories can skip the step of opening a living facility account.

However, for those students who choose to rent outside of school, the apartment will not open water, electricity, and other accounts for you when you move in. Taking California as an example, it is necessary to contact the local DWP (Department of Water and Power) and inform them that they are new residents who need to open a water and electricity account. Then, follow the staff's requirements to complete the procedures and obtain the account number. After that, log in to the DWP official website and open the account.

(Note: Independent payment of utility bills can provide a utility bill with your name and address printed on it, which is a reliable proof of local residence.)

Suggestion

Here are some suggestions that I hope can help you better adapt to and enjoy studying abroad.

Develop a budget plan and arrange monthly expenses reasonably;

Control consumption, avoid unnecessary shopping, and try to save expenses to ensure financial stability;

Actively participate in social activities both on and off campus, join student organizations, participate in club activities, or volunteer work to facilitate faster integration into new environments;

Studying abroad is not only a journey of learning, but also a rare experience in life. I hope that students can gain beautiful memories of studying abroad during the process.

  Patten University  

 William Jessup  University 

  Lincoln University  

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