America has always been regarded as the great melting pot of cultures. Painted as the land of opportunities, it the one country that has the capacity to assimilate different cultures, races, identities into itself. Not surprisingly, it attracts a number of international students. 2007 saw a substantial increase in the number of international students going to US, and India tops the list followed by China and South Korea. The following table gives a clear picture about the international student ratio.

Top 10 Places of Origin for Foreign Students in U.S., 2006-7

Source: Open Doors report

US not only has some of the best universities -- offering high quality education but it also boasts of excellent job opportunities. Additionally, students also have the opportunity to work part-time as interns or teaching associates and research assistants to augment their educational experience.

Finding Your Ground in the US

Settling down to a new life in the US can be an overwhelming but enriching experience. The rigorous academic programs can make the social adjustment even harder. However, Indians are not totally unaware of the American culture due to the predominance of US television and film industry. After the initial hiccups, the recreational activities offered by this land of immigrants makes for a truly wonderful educational experience. You can break the ice by joining multifarious student associations and groups which serve as a great way to network beyond your regional communities.

Student Club and Activities

Academic life is not the end of life’s education. In order to make the best use of your US study experience, it is important to have an active student life. All colleges and universities have a diverse student body with a number of organized students groups and activities to meet everyone’s taste. These range from sporting activities to debates, discussions, dancing and more. If journalism, multimedia and communication are your forte then you can most probably try your hand in contributing to the college newspaper/ magazine. Most colleges also have their own broadcasting studio and radio channel. As most of these radio channels are managed by students and faculty members, they provide a good entertainment outlet for students who want to get into this field in a creative or technical position. A dynamic student life, brimming with frequent activities, goes a long way in enriching one’s learning experience.

Purpose of International Student Associations and Unions

Almost all the US universities and colleges have an independent international student association. Such associations are dedicated to the specific requirements and interest of overseas students. They strive to work for the betterment of students by focusing on their academic as well as personal problems. Students are free to discuss and seek advice and assistance from them. Additionally, international student associations also seek to open the doors to brighter and newer opportunities by organizing social events, conferences, workshops and so on to help in developing the overall personality of the students.

These associations are multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, representing a culmination of individual interests and beliefs. They are, thus, instrumental in bringing about acceptance of different customs and religions. For instance, a fast-a-thon was organized by the Muslim Student Association at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. It not only helped in increasing awareness of Ramadan, a Muslim festival, but students were also able to collect a handsome amount for charity. The amazing success of this event has led to it being spread across 250 campuses across US.