Hello C.C.! I’m not an international student, but I’m posting here because my situation is very similar.
My family and I live in Europe because my parents jobs require us to live overseas. However, there aren’t any “good” European colleges that would consider me as a European Student - I’d have to pay international fees even though I’m living here. So that meant I had to look at schools stateside to get an affordable option. I finally picked a school, but it’s more than 5,000 miles away in Oregon. I picked it because the West Coast seems the most European in mindset and progressiveness, and because it’s beautiful. ANYWAY, I’m not scared, at least, not any more scared than any other college student going to school for the first time. HOWEVER, I want to know if anyone else is in my position, or has any advice to give me.
Thanks for replying!
Lots and lots of people are in your position. And, after a certain point the exact mileage stops being an issue. Lots of students go to colleges that are far and different (in size, culture, environment, etc) for lots of reasons. You are actually in a great situation, b/c you can go to the stuff for ‘regular’ new students plus the extra stuff for the new ‘international’ students- with whom you will have more in common than you realize.
Lots of people have a similar situation. We have lived overseas for 15 years in Asia but are American. Daughter will go to college in New England in the fall and we will continue to work in Asia. She is more excited than nervous by far. Best of luck.
We’re in the club. Living & working overseas for over a decade now. Kids are back in the States attending school.
My dd only went across the country: 3000 miles. Here is my advice:
-Pack lightly: you can always get any other clothing items and bedding here (new or used). Make sure that you have a really strong suitcase that fits into overhead bins.
-Use the internet to find local banks that are walking distance to/from your university and discuss these with your parents.
-Teach your parents to use Skype or FaceTime.
-You may want to keep your current phone, for calls from family only, and then purchase a “Target” phone with pay as you go plans for local calls.
-If you don’t already have a frequent flyer account, sign up but read the fine print if you go through their credit cards.
@“aunt bea” your comment about Skype made me laugh. My parents are better at it than I am.
Having traveled short term halfway around the world and going to college in the states with my parents still working in Asia, I would have to say be VERY careful about how you use your overseas cell phone when you are in the states. Unless you have a special international plan you may be spending $20 a minute for calls home by cell. However, Skype is free and you can do video calls between any devices connected to the internet. When I’ve been away from home in the past, my parents would sometimes set up their laptop at my normal place at the table and we would have a normal “evening” (my morning) together.
When travelling, if you don’t already know this trick, use duffel bags (the ones with wheels) instead of hard suitcases for checked bags. Then you can pack as much or as little as you want then compress the bag around it. It keeps your stuff safer.
This sounds silly, but if you are planning on travelling back for Christmas or other breaks alone make sure you know how to navigate airports and know all of the documents you need.
Most of all, have fun and good luck!