us-information-centre-singleUSA WEATHER AND TIME DIFFERENCE

Climate and time difference vary from state to state. For more information visit:


A variety of international and local food is available in the U.S. The selection of food and pricing differs between areas. However, many places cater for those on a budget.



Medical Emergencies



Medical Records

Bring a copy of your medical records with you to the US, including immunization and vaccination records and prescriptions. It is generally a good idea to visit your doctor before you leave for the US. Some schools will require you to complete a physical upon arrival. (This is often required of all students, not just international students, so that the school’s medical center has a recent medical history on file.)

Health Insurance


If health insurance is required, it must meet certain minimum standards set by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State. These standards include:

  • Maximum deductible of $500 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation benefits of at least $7,500.
  • Medical evacuation benefits of at least $10,000.
  • Co-insurance not to exceed 25% of the covered medical expenses.

Your school will probably offer a group health insurance program to students who do not have their own health insurance. Typically the insurance will cover hospital care and doctor fees with a deductible and 20% co-payment. A $250 deductible means that you pay the first $250 in medical expenses. A 20% co-payment means that the insurance pays 80% of the expenses above the deductible, and you pay 20%. Prescription drugs might not be included, and there may be a small fee for doctor visits. Details, of course, vary from school to school. Contact the school for information about their health insurance programs and requirements.

There are a variety of student health insurance programs that are available to international students:

  • Academic Risk Management
  • Student Insurance Division (SID)
  • CNA Cultural and Educational Exchange International Student Insurance Program


Finding a Doctor

If you need help finding a doctor, call the campus health center. You should receive a list of local doctors that participate in your health insurance program when you enrolled. But the health center can help you narrow the list. For example, ask them if they know which doctors speak foreign languages. You can also ask friends and fellow students for recommendations.

Culture Shock


If you experience these symptoms, try talking to someone. Talk to the international student advisor, a friend, the staff at the campus counseling center, or your neighbor. It also helps to participate in activities you enjoy. Write a letter to your family back home. Take a walk in the park. Read a book. Watch a movie. Eat a good meal at a fancy restaurant. Visit the museum or an art gallery. Play a game with some friends.



It probably goes without saying, but don’t carry large amounts of cash around with you. Better options include credit cards, debit cards, checks and even traveler’s checks.

Traveler’s checks are one of the safest and easiest ways to transport money because you may have them replaced if they get lost or stolen. If you choose to carry traveler’s checks with you from your home country to the States, be sure they are denominated in U.S. funds. Most businesses – except taxi drivers and public transportation personnel – will accept U.S. denominated traveler’s checks during regular business hours, typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is wise to bring about $100 in U.S. cash with you, so you will be able to manage upon your arrival in the States.

U.S. Currency


  • A penny equals one cent or 0.01 dollars
  • A nickel equals five cents or 0.05 dollars
  • A dime equals ten cents or 0.10 dollars
  • A quarter equals twenty-five cents or 0.25 dollars


Paper currency, all printed in green and white, is most often circulated in the amounts of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100. The slang term for a dollar bill is a “buck,” so $50 may be referred to as “fifty bucks.”


Bank Accounts








Credit and Debit Cards






Whether you are living on or off campus, in a city or suburb, you have many transportation options for getting around in your new country:


A bicycle can be a great way to get around your campus and your local area. Whether your campus is based in the middle of a city or in the suburbs, a bike is relatively inexpensive, and it’s a good way to get some exercise. Whenever riding your bike, always take care to observe the law of the road, and always wear a helmet. It is now a law in some states that helmets must be worn. As with any personal property, take care to lock your bike up when you are not using it. Most college campuses provide a bike rack for that purpose outside of many buildings on campus. A good lock does not usually cost very much, and it’s a small price to pay for the security of your bike.


If you are living in a city, the bus system will likely be pretty extensive, as with most of the public transportation systems in large urban areas. However, if you live in the suburbs, buses will not run as often and you may have to find alternative methods to get around. On longer routes, Greyhound runs an extensive bus system across the USA which is an inexpensive way to travel, but it can take a long time to get from one place to another.


Taxis can be extremely expensive for students, and are good for longer journeys that are either too far for walking or by bicycle, or there is no bus or subway system where you want to go. Always remember to check your driver has a valid ID card which should be displayed (if not ask to see it) and make sure the meter is running. Never enter a taxi where the driver has asked for a set fee!

Trains and Subways

Subways will be found in most major cities in the USA, such as New York, Boston, and Chicago, and they are a cheap way to travel around. Trains, on the other hand, are good for traveling the USA. They are slightly more expensive than traveling by bus, but it is much quicker.


Business Hours

The hours of operation depend on the store, and can vary significantly from city to city. Most stores will open between 9:00 and 10:00 am and close at 5:00 or 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Some stores will open as early as 8:00 am and some will close as late as 9:00 or 10:00 pm.
Banks tend to close at 3:00 or 4:00 pm, restaurants at 8:00 or 9:00 pm, and bars at 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. Stores in shopping malls keep longer hours, with the typical mall store being open 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

When most stores in a shopping area close at 5:00 or 6:00 pm weekdays, there will usually be one day a week when they are open late. Which day varies from community to community.
Some stores will be open on Saturday. A smaller number of stores will be open on Sunday. Stores with Sunday hours tend to open between 10:00 am and noon, and to close at 5:00 or 6:00 pm, even if they are open until 9:00 or 10:00 pm the rest of the week.


Sales Tax

There is no national sales tax in the US, but each state has its own sales tax. The sales tax is charged as a percentage surcharge on purchases, and is printed on the receipt. Rates differ from state to state. Rates may even differ within a state. For example, Pennsylvania charges 6% sales tax, except in Allegheny County (city of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities) where the sales tax rate is 7%.

Saving Money

Major department stores frequently have sales in which merchandise is sold at a discount, typically anywhere from 5% to 25% off the normal price. Not everything in the store will be on sale. Sale prices are usually advertised in the Sunday newspaper. Stores will use almost any excuse for a sale, such as holidays and end-of-season clearance. The Christmas shopping season officially starts the Friday after Thanksgiving, but some stores will offer sales starting the weekend before Thanksgiving. If you don’t need something immediately, it is best to wait until it is on sale. The major department store chains are Sears, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Kohls, and JC Penney.


Paying for Purchases


Most people, however, do not carry around large sums of money. Instead they pay for purchases with a credit card or personal check. Most stores will accept the major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express). Even grocery stores are starting to accept credit cards.

The larger department stores will try to encourage you to open a charge account at the store, often by offering a 10% discount on your purchases the day you open the account. Store charge cards work similarly to credit cards, except there’s never an annual fee and the card is only good for purchases at the store.


Remember that you are restricted by your visa in terms of being able to work in the USA. It is a MUST that you know all the requirements and restrictions concerning your visa!