Work & Study in USA

[josipva]

Im thinking about this for some time, im already studying in my home country but im not satisfied with work opportunities and everything a college degree can bring here.
Since this is international board with people from all sides of world maybe you can give me some information on working and studying in USA. Is it possible, extremely hard to do both at same time or.... My goal is to pay college from money i can make there or take a student loan if it cant cover whole amount, and obviously i will have a head start and bring about 10k dollars when i go there.
Other countries with good colleges based on english and work possibilities will also be considered.
Post your opinions and advices, thx.

 

[Handoyo]

Well studying in the USA has definitely opened my eyes. I don't know about the culture in Croatia but in Asia, most of us are very reserved, conservative and is like a sheep on the herd, following whatever we're supposed to do.

But here, the education system promotes a hell lot of flexibility and for you to think outside the box. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and asks you to tackle much more uncertain situations.

So going here has definitely been the right choice for me.

I do want to tell you though, that your choice of work is limited when you are just a student. For example, you can't work in McDonald's and study at the same time, it's a rule over here. You can intern in a company that's in line with your course of study though. For example, if you study finance, you can study and intern with a bank.

And of course, getting jobs is gonna be hell now. You should know how the US economy is doing, right?

Hope this helps.

 

[josipva]

sure, every bit of info helps, thx.

regarding the jobs, im not that picky, im prepared to work hard and work all kinds of jobs even on minimum wage which is like 6 dollars an hour? In croatia students are usually payed around 3$/h.But if i cant get those Mcdonalds kinda jobs it complicates stuff alot. I've read that alot of colleges have Work & Study programs, does that includes only intern? And i presume intern job is hard to get for international student?

From what i've read good college with campus accomodation goes around 25k $ annualy ?

 

[Handoyo]

Dude, why don't you list me your questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

With regards to minimum wage work, in California it's around 6 bucks but like I said, you can't work in restaurant, etc.

With regards to Work & Study programs, I'm not sure if it'll apply with international students.

Intern jobs are incredibly hard to get now.

And rates vary a lot in different places, where are you looking at?

All I can say is: Before you go, ask their International Student Services department as many questions as possible.

 

[Ilkinio]

My little brother will maybe get his master's degree there. As far as i know he is applying only to the universities where he can surely get job. Key factor is having long-long-long conversations with officials of your university.

My friend studied in US some years back. I don't exactly remember, but, i think Work and Study applies to international students, but they can only get half-time job. Will try to find him and re-ask details.

 

[josipva]

ive got pretty much info covered by now, my main issue is that work and study program, gonna try and look it up more and you guys can post if you know something more about it

 

[josipva]

where are you looking at?

trying to find college with good reputation, not best of best like harvard, stanford etc. but some fine college where i can study software engineering and work in same time

 

[Handoyo]

How about Berkeley? I live in the Bay and if you can get to Stanford & Berkeley, it's a fantastic place to live at. :star:

 

[brehme1989]

And extremely hard to get in

 

[kylan05]

Isn't SF one of the place where living expenses is the highest in the country?

I'm thinking, unless you have a strong financial support from family...this might be something that you have to deeply look into.

 

[josipva]

...this might be something that you have to deeply look into.

i am, i am