🇺🇸 Travel & Living in the United States
A practical arrival and living guide for students heading to the US — transport, housing, money, safety and your first week.
So you're moving to the US to study. Here's the practical, non-academic side: how to arrive, settle in and live well on a student budget.
Getting there & around
Most international students fly into a major hub (JFK/Newark, LAX, O'Hare, Boston Logan, SFO). Arrive a week or two before classes for orientation and setup. Intercity travel is dominated by domestic flights (Southwest, Delta) and, in the Northeast, Amtrak trains. Within cities, transit varies wildly: New York, Boston, DC and Chicago have real subways, but most of the country is car-centric. Apps like Transit and Google Maps cover local buses and trains; rideshare (Uber/Lyft) fills the gaps.
Where to live
On-campus dorms are the easy first-year choice — convenient and social, if pricier. Off-campus, students share apartments via off-campus housing offices, Facebook housing groups and listing sites. Sign nothing before you've seen it (or had someone you trust see it). Budget for a security deposit (often one month's rent) and ask whether utilities and internet are included.
Cost of living & budgeting
The US is expensive, and coastal cities most of all. After tuition, your biggest costs are rent and health insurance.
| Item | Rough monthly (USD) |
|---|---|
| Shared room (college town) | 600–900 |
| Shared room (major metro) | 1,100–1,800 |
| Groceries | 250–400 |
| Phone plan | 25–50 |
| Health insurance | 50–250 |
Tip: many essentials are cheaper with a student discount — always ask, and check UNiDAYS and Amazon Prime Student.
Money, SIM & admin
Open a student checking account (Chase, Bank of America and many credit unions have no-fee student accounts) — you'll usually need your passport, I-20 and proof of address. Get a prepaid SIM (Might, T-Mobile, US Mobile) at the airport or a store; an eSIM works on arrival. Apply for a Social Security Number only if you take on-campus work. Start building credit early with a secured or student credit card.
Safety & health
The US is generally safe, but situational awareness matters and healthcare is costly — never skip the mandatory student health insurance, and learn what your plan covers. Save 911 for emergencies; your campus has its own security line and a health center for routine care. Register with the campus international-student office and keep digital copies of your passport, visa and I-20.
Culture & student life
Campus life is a big part of the experience: clubs, sports, Greek life and volunteering. Americans are friendly and informal — small talk is normal, tipping (15–20% in restaurants) is expected, and academic culture rewards speaking up in class. Office hours with professors are genuinely useful; use them.
Your first week
- Attend international-student orientation and check in with the office that holds your SEVIS record.
- Get your campus ID and set up your student email and Wi-Fi.
- Open a bank account and activate a phone plan.
- Buy basics, learn your transit options, and find the cheapest grocery store near you.
- Say yes to one club or event — that's how the friendships start.