NationStates Jolt Archive

So here's the deal, I'm planning on moving to live in the US as a college student next year.

Specifically, I've got my eye on California.

If anyone 'in the know' or what have you could tell me how to start the ball moving I'd appreciate it, or just general advice about moving country. The organizations over here (such as UCAS) are being... less than helpful about it - they've flat out refused to assist or even tell me what I'm supposed to do.

Let me know if you need more information.


Note: I'm not just using the NS forum to find things out, I'm using several other avenues too, but I figure the more information the better!

Cheers.

So here's the deal, I'm planning on moving to live in the US as a college student next year.

Specifically, I've got my eye on California.

If anyone 'in the know' or what have you could tell me how to start the ball moving I'd appreciate it, or just general advice about moving country. The organizations over here (such as UCAS) are being... less than helpful about it - they've flat out refused to assist or even tell me what I'm supposed to do.

Let me know if you need more information.


Note: I'm not just using the NS forum to find things out, I'm using several other avenues too, but I figure the more information the better!

Cheers.

Stay away from the south east. If you must go to the south, stick to the cities and the major highways. Rural Kentucky has been compared to third world nations *shudder*.

Everything above Washington DC is okay.

Well I assume you already know the immigration web site for the US. In case you dont here it is. It is actually simple to fill out the forms. Very self explanitory. People complain that its hard. But it isnt if you just read and pay attention to the details.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/


As far as Cali goes. Thats probably a good place to go. Alot of things to do. Alot of different things going on in California all at once. You will definately get the west coast experience going there.

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.
Now that is a stupid comment. If your non white you wont have a problem. Maybe where Soulsnax is but in general i wouldnt even give it a second thought.

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.
You're a funny guy. [/sarcam]

You're a smart guy. [/sarcasm]

You're a real cool guy. [/sarcasm]

You're a ^$##$%Q@#%# $% #$AT $#ABT#ES$E% E$w@ %#wa^$bdydbhxc fg!

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.

Thanks, I am. :p

Note: I'm not just using the NS forum to find things out, I'm using several other avenues too, but I figure the more information the better!

Cheers.

Good glad to hear it. This is probably the worst place to get an honest evaluation of the states. If it is a good education you are looking for do look into places other than California. Unless of course you are interested in institutions of lower living, as opposed to higher education. We have many schools in this country that do not specialize in the finer points of marxist living as taught by your english professor. Don't get me wrong. California has a lot of great people. The problem is they are over shadowed by the fruits and nuts that are attracted there from everywhere else with a thought of greener pastures. Also keep in mind, it is infinately more expensive to live there as opposed to almost anywhere else, unless of course you enjoy gunfighting, and other terminal sports. Not knocking it mind you, but it is a difficult way to lower the rent.

Liverbreath']Good glad to hear it. This is probably the worst place to get an honest evaluation of the states. If it is a good education you are looking for do look into places other than California. Unless of course you are interested in institutions of lower living, as opposed to higher education. We have many schools in this country that do not specialize in the finer points of marxist living as taught by your english professor. Don't get me wrong. California has a lot of great people. The problem is they are over shadowed by the fruits and nuts that are attracted there from everywhere else with a thought of greener pastures. Also keep in mind, it is infinately more expensive to live there as opposed to almost anywhere else, unless of course you enjoy gunfighting, and other terminal sports. Not knocking it mind you, but it is a difficult way to lower the rent.
Really? In Southern California (particularly, the Inland Empire) it's not that bad. It's only bad in the more populated places. L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Anaheim, etc.

It really depends on the area your in. Closer you get to L.A., the worse off your getting at. Closer you get to suburban cities, better off your getting at.

Stay away from Hollywood please. Our main export is agriculture, NOT Hollywood!

Avoid Alabama at all cost.

Stay away from the south east. If you must go to the south, stick to the cities and the major highways. Rural Kentucky has been compared to third world nations *shudder*.

Everything above Washington DC is okay.



Ignore CSW, it's wonderful down here. The magnolias are in bloom, the weather is sunny, and the people are very warm and welcoming.

Really? In Southern California (particularly, the Inland Empire) it's not that bad. It's only bad in the more populated places. L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Anaheim, etc.

It really depends on the area your in. Closer you get to L.A., the worse off your getting at. Closer you get to suburban cities, better off your getting at.

Stay away from Hollywood please. Our main export is agriculture, NOT Hollywood!

Was in Hollywood looking for a hotel for my family to stay while we went to Universal Studios. About a year and a half ago. We stopped at what appeared to be a decent place. Went inside and queried the price. When I thought that it was to much and was trying to get a cheaper rate. A gang fight took place between two latino gangs. Half of them were girls too. Was suprised but unfazed really. Just stayed in doors until it was over. But the guy wouldnt budge on his price. I even pointed out he has gang fights in front of his hotel and was charging so much. He didnt care. We actually skipped Universal because of this whole episode. Decided we didnt want to stay in that area because of the crap going on. So bag the hollywood bit unless your wearing chainmail to protect against stabbing thrusts.

Ignore CSW, it's wonderful down here. The magnolias are in bloom, the weather is sunny, and the people are very warm and welcoming.
It's 95 degrees and over 50% humidity. Very warm and sunny indeed.


Where are you headed for school, or have you not made up your mind yet?

I'd suggest UVA or UC berkley, if you can get into them (good luck)

Ohio's a decent state, and if you're going into engineering I hear Ohio Univeristy is pretty good (not Ohio State, mind you, Ohio Univeristy).

Well, the advice given would depend on which Colleges you are applying to, and where u end up. If you are specifically eyeing CA, which CA colleges (public or private) would you be attending? You'll get more specific responses that way.

It also depends on what exactly you intend to study. Ideally you would choose your school based on the specific faculty that best suits your educational goals, i.e. if you are studying philosophy you might go to Tufts in Boston and fawn at Daniel Dennett's feet.

It's 95 degrees and over 50% humidity. Very warm and sunny indeed.


Where are you headed for school, or have you not made up your mind yet?

I'd suggest UVA or UC berkley, if you can get into them (good luck)


It'll cool down....I mean, it has to cool down....I think this is one of those cases where things couldn't get any worse....

It'll cool down....I mean, it has to cool down....I think this is one of those cases where things couldn't get any worse....

Yeah, us up here in Colorado have been saying that for over a month an a half, and what happens? 102 degrees today with 60% humidity....

Yeah, us up here in Colorado have been saying that for over a month an a half, and what happens? 102 degrees today with 60% humidity....
Ahh, 102 sounds reeeeaaaalllly cool right about now.

Stay out of LA. San Diego is nice, but there are better opportunities in the Bay Area.

Better yet, you should really look in the New England area (or the general Northeast) if you're serious about getting an education. While I detest the city of Boston, I must say that their universites are top-notch. Boston College, Harvard, etc... There are also great schools in Connecticut (Yale, Connecticut College, Fairfield), Rhode Island (Brown), New York (Columbia, NYU, Fordham), Upstate New York (Ithaca, Colgate), New Jersey (Princeton, Rutgers, Drew University), Virginia (College of William & Mary), Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania, Bucknell).

This is far from a comprehensive list. But I urge you to consider looking outside of California if you're coming here to learn something.

Stay away from the south east. If you must go to the south, stick to the cities and the major highways. Rural Kentucky has been compared to third world nations *shudder*.

Everything above Washington DC is okay.

Don't listen to this bigot. S/he knows not of what they speak.

I'd stay away from California, as the cost of living is very high there. The Northeast is nice, but again the cost of living is high. I recommend the South or Midwest. We have a couple of very good schools here in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Sate University in Stillwater and Oklahoma University in Norman. University of Tulsa is a private school with an excellent reputation and if you are into religious studies there is Oral Roberts University. Alabama and Louisiana are also great places to live, low cost of living, and some excellent schools.

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.

And you know this because??????

Avoid Alabama at all cost.

Why? Have you ever lived there? I think not.

you will enter the US on a student visa. to be here legally you will have to be enrolled in a US school for the whole time you are here. you can't work. you need to be accepted to a school first. they will help you fill out all the appropriate paperwork (they HAVE to help you since there are forms that they have to certify are correct) any school that can't help you with this should be avoided. they aren't legitimate enough for you to bother with.

make sure you have plenty of time to get this done. i'd recommend 3 to 6 months as we are in are constantly changing our rules. take a look at the thread by alien born on his wife coming to a conference in chicago. the requirements can drive you crazy. if you have anything "questionable" in your background.... arab surname, membership in communist/terrorist like groups, too many visits to middle east. too many visits to the drug producing countries of the world, etc etc. you can expect it to take longer.

there are no bad places to go in the US. just bad neighborhoods. choose a school based on your interests and don't worry that you won't like the area that its in, you'll love it. we aren't like those people on our tv shows and movies. you will have a wonderful time.

if you have anything "questionable" in your background.... arab surname, membership in communist/terrorist like groups, too many visits to middle east. too many visits to the drug producing countries of the world, etc etc. you can expect it to take longer.

I should be alright, then.

As for what I was wanting to study - ideally I'd like to study A.I., but I'm not sure how many places are going to offer that as a course.

But like everyone on the 'net, I guess. I'd like to get involved with the games industry, so if anyone could reccomend a course that would help with that, instead?

Don't listen to this bigot. S/he knows not of what they speak.

I'd stay away from California, as the cost of living is very high there. The Northeast is nice, but again the cost of living is high. I recommend the South or Midwest. We have a couple of very good schools here in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Sate University in Stillwater and Oklahoma University in Norman. University of Tulsa is a private school with an excellent reputation and if you are into religious studies there is Oral Roberts University. Alabama and Louisiana are also great places to live, low cost of living, and some excellent schools.

good lord.. now this is someone to avoid.. Never EVER go to a school in the south. Especially if your from Europe... the ignorance they preach will be mind numing. These are the same people who want to remove evolution from the education system arn't they !?!

Infact, I completely agree with CSW (for once). Avoid everything south of DC... its all hickland . Sure their warm and welcoming as long as your white, and dont have a different accent.. otherwise watch out cause ur likely to get shot!. Ive been to almost everywhere in the Country and Alabama and Louisiana were the two worst states. Their perfectly lovely if you dont mind living in the middle of no where.

Your better off comming to New York. No earthquakes, forestfires, rolling blackouts, mudslides... and we have most of the best schools in the country.
Sure you pay alot in living costs.. but then you make alot from even the most menial jobs.

for your sake i mean. otherwise, you'll have a tough time staying in the US.

Bull.

So here's the deal, I'm planning on moving to live in the US as a college student next year.

Specifically, I've got my eye on California.

-snip -



California is a great place to start in the US. Although I recommend that you plan to travel a bit while you're here, especially if you land in someplace like LA. While there's a good cross-section of people from all over the country here, the values are a little askew sometimes....

As far as opportunity is concerned, this was my experience: I moved to Orange County (60 miles south of LA) from a small town in the midwest with basically nothing but my luggage. I found a good paying job, a wife, got an education at a great university (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo), found a better job, (I'll mention my divorce at this point or it'll sound like I'm a bigamist), then a better wife and now feel like I live in the lap of luxury. If your willing to hustle and endure a few oddities, So Cal is the land of opportunity.

The cost of living is obscene (if you include a mortgage payment) no two ways about it. But on a recent trip to Derby I didn't find the cost of basic necessities that much different given the generally higher wages in LA. Trying to buy a home can be pretty shocking though. Also, I know a couple of people who have immigrated from Britain and northern Europe, so they might be able to pass on their experience. If you need more specific info, send me a TG.

I should be alright, then.

As for what I was wanting to study - ideally I'd like to study A.I., but I'm not sure how many places are going to offer that as a course.

But like everyone on the 'net, I guess. I'd like to get involved with the games industry, so if anyone could reccomend a course that would help with that, instead?
MIT.

:D.

It'll cool down....I mean, it has to cool down....I think this is one of those cases where things couldn't get any worse....
Please, it hits over 100 degrees up here, and I'm farther north then you are. Forcasts call for more hot, humid weather. Joy.

Sorry for the bump, but I'd like some more input on this if anyone has any. :) Thanks.