Selecting the appropriate course is a crucial factor that enhances your study abroad experience, particularly when considering studying in the United States. The US offers a diverse range of course options for international students, empowering them to choose their preferred field of study. Below are some of the sought-after courses available in the United States for international students.

1. Business Management: Over 20% of international students choose this career path, offering insights into Accounting, Computing, Organizational Behavior, Law, Marketing, and Psychology. Business Management is taught to students as a skill by itself that can give them the much-needed knowledge and confidence to be successful in a business environment. 

2. Life Science: With cutting-edge contributions in medicine, AI, agriculture, business, and education, completing this course opens up numerous related career opportunities. The top universities in the US offer a lot of courses that are related to the fields of biotechnology, health sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences that are constantly in need of qualified technicians. 

3. Engineering: Highly sought-after programs in electrical, mechanical, civil, computer, and aerospace engineering present promising career prospects. Out of all the different types of engineering Mechanical Engineering is known to be one of the oldest courses that cover a wide range of departments such as automobile, mechatronics, aerospace, aeronautical, and so on. 

4. Computer Science and Information Technology: In high demand, these courses cover software development, AI, cybersecurity, data science, and more, with various specialisations like artificial intelligence, robotics, information technology, virtual reality, and data science available.

Studying abroad is a process in itself, and picking the right university is one the most important steps that has to be carried out with utmost care. The United States is home to more than 5000 universities, out of which most of them are among the top ones in the world. Here are some of the top universities in the United States and the things that they are known for: 

• Troy University: The university has more than 1000 international students enrolling with them each year, and they have a broad range of academic programs to offer international students. 

• University of Fairfax: The University of Fairfax has four academic departments that offer degrees and certificate courses in the most demanding fields. The students here receive individual attention from the instructors who incorporate real-life experiences in the classroom. 

• University of South Dakota: The University of South Dakota is one of the big-time research universities in the United States that offers students a world-class education experience. They offer over 200 undergraduate programs and more than 70 graduate programs for the students to choose from, and they have a couple of research centres where students get to have innovative research experiences. 

For international students who wish to extend their stay in the United States after completing their education, there are different types of USA student visas available:

F-1 Visa: The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the US for international students who intend to pursue full-time academic programs, such as university degrees or English language courses. This visa allows students to work in the US for a certain period after completing their education.

M-1 Visa: The M-1 visa is another non-immigrant visa option for international students. It is designed for students who plan to attend vocational or non-academic programs in the US. With the M-1 visa, students can also extend their stay in the US following the completion of their vocational studies.

These are some of the important documents that are required for obtaining an F-1 visa: 

• A valid passport that has an expiration date of six months beyond your period of study. 
• A proof of your residence in your home country. 
• A financial proof that you have sufficient money to cover your education expenses in the United States. 
• It is mandatory for the student to show proof of their English language proficiency. 
• A proof that shows your full-time enrollment in a university in the US. 
• To study at a college or university in the US, it must be accredited and approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement. 

The United States is the first place that would pop up in the minds of international students when it comes to studying abroad. With the country having so many top universities for students to choose from, it is important to send out the application to the university of your dreams at the right time. To make sure that the application process is carried out without any hassle, the universities have segregated them into batch-wise intakes by which they can receive applications thrice a year. 

Here are some of the major intakes that are available in the United States:

Spring Intake: The duration of this intake is from January to May and is the second most popular intake in the US. The January intake has a few courses and universities when compared to the other two intakes, but this comes as a good backup option for students who have missed the rest of the intakes. 

Benefits of applying during the spring intake: 

• While applying for this intake, the students will have an ample amount of time to prepare for the competitive exams and other English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, and so on. 
• You will be able to properly plan and structure your study abroad journey almost six months ahead of your course period. 
• Certain universities offer courses with lower tuition fees during this intake, and this could be one of the greatest advantages of all.  

Summer Intake: This intake ideally begins during the month of May or June, and the universities offer only a selected number of courses during this intake. This intake majorly offers some of the necessary language programs that are beneficial for non-English speaking international students. 

Benefits of applying during the summer intake: 

• Since this is considered one of the least popular intakes in the US, the competition is said to be cut by half for students to send out their applications. 
• The students will have an opportunity to start their course sooner than the September intake. 

Fall Intake: The fall intake is considered one of the most popular among international students and is the batch where a maximum number of applications are received by universities. This intake has a wide range of courses to offer students, and the options are wider compared to the rest of the intakes. 

Benefits of applying during the fall intake: 

• The students who are applying for the fall intake will have a wide range of course options to choose from. 
• Since this is one of the most popular intakes in the US, the students will have the opportunity to pick from their favourite universities, and there are going to be a lot of options there too. 
• This intake provides students with better opportunities to work part-time during their semester breaks. 

Deciding to study abroad can come along with a bunch of challenges, and one of them could be the cost of education. Before choosing your major, it is important to be aware of the course fee of each and analyse your cost of education in USA with respect to your field of study. Here is a list of all the major degrees that are available in the US for international students and their average cost per year. 

Scholarships play a vital role in assisting international students seeking higher education opportunities in the US and alleviating their financial challenges. The United States offers a wide array of study abroad scholarship opportunities for deserving students who require financial aid. These scholarships are available based on individual student criteria and can be funded by either governmental bodies or private institutions.

Here are some significant scholarships in USA for international students: 

• Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, achievements, talents, or leadership qualities. They recognise outstanding academic performance or other exceptional abilities.

• Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are granted to students with demonstrated financial need. They aim to provide financial assistance to those who may not be able to afford the full cost of education.

• Country-Specific Scholarships: Some US institutions offer scholarships exclusively for students from certain countries as part of their efforts to promote diversity and international cooperation.

• University/College Scholarships: Many US universities and colleges offer their own scholarships to attract and support international students. These scholarships may be based on a combination of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

• Government-based scholarships: International students are provided with immense financial support by the US government, and these scholarships are provided to them based on their needs and requirements. 

The United States is a country that is known to be popular among international students for its diverse nature and inclusive environment. Moving to the US from your home country could be a great personal upgrade in terms of exposure and education. Apart from the quality education, there are other things that the country offers to its students.

Here are some key aspects of what it is like to live in the United States as an international student:

• The US is known for its cultural diversity, and you'll have the chance to interact with people from various backgrounds and nationalities. This exposure can lead to a broader worldview and a deeper understanding of different cultures.

• Sports have always played a crucial role in the country’s culture, and bonding over a game with your friends is something that you can always do while you are in the US.

• Every university in the US has a lot of clubs and societies that are open for students to ensure that they keep their passion alive apart from keeping up with their academics. 

• Another important factor about living in the US is that they have a lot of affordable accommodation options for international students that include both on and off campus. 

• There is the vibrant nightlife that prevails in the US, where you get an opportunity to socialise with like-minded people and get an opportunity to make new connections apart from the ones you meet on campus. 

 The majority of students choose to stay back in the US after their graduation because of the great job prospects that the country offers. Job prospects in the US for international students can vary depending on several factors, including the individual's qualifications, the field of study, work experience, and current job market conditions. Here are some of the on-demand jobs in the US for international students. 

From helping you choose the right destination and program to guiding you through scholarship applications, AECC is your partner in success. Ready to turn your study abroad dreams into reality? 

Reach out to us today and let's make your academic adventure unforgettable. Contact us now!