Planet College International Payments And Your Student Acount Part Two

As an International student excited about the opportunity you have found at an American University you can benefit from an understanding of some basics of American higher education.

Initially you need to understand most colleges in America use a student account system to manage a students finances while they are a student at their school. Although the details vary from school to school, over all, the system is essentially the same. Student funds are deposited to the individual student's account. From this account payments are made for tuition, fees and residential arrangements such as  dorm rooms and meal plans. Some, but, again, not all, universities provide access to a student's account through the student's college identification card.  This card is often referred to as an ASB, for Associated Student Body, card. This card, which a student is required to carry while on campus or when attending school functions, bears the student's name and picture.

 At many colleges this same card can be used on campus much like a credit or debit card. With funds deposited to your student account simply swiping the card at the book store or dining hall will pay for your purchases from your account. Not all campuses use this card in this manner but nearly all college campuses use this student account system described here.

If you have any questions, remember, The International Student's Office on your campus is a central location for all your concerns.

Planet College International Payments And Your Student Account Part One

 As an International Students you will no doubt find your experience at an  American college exciting.  Along with the excitement of learning in a new and different environment can come confusion. One thing many International students are often confused about is money. The American monetary system is different from the system you are used to in your home country. 

One basic source of confusion is the exchange rate, how much your money is worth in American money. There are a few simple steps you can easily employ to reduce this confusion.

 It is helpful to be in contact with your college in the USA as soon as you have been accepted. Your first concern is how to pay for your education at that school. Your best source for this information is the international student information office.  You may contact by phone or e-mail.

Ask the international school office how you can deposit your funds in your country's currency.  If your country's currency is other than American dollars this may not be possible.  Therefore you may need to find a currency exchange or broker to forward your funds from your country to your school. This broker is a business and they will charge you a fee for this exchange. That is why it is important to find out how to pay for your school as soon as you are notified of your acceptance. Acting promptly could save you money.

 I

The Ten Steps to Graduation.

These are the Ten Steps which will lead you to your Graduation, definitely.

1. Go To Class.

2. Go To Class and stay for the entire class.

3. Go To Class and ask the instructor a question.

4. Go To Class and sit where you can hear the instructor.

5. Go To Class and take notes.

6. Go To Class and stay awake.

7. Go To Class and follow the instructions about handouts and down loads

8. Go To Class and turn in the assignment due that day.

9. Go To Class and make sure you know when and where the final exam will be held.

10. And then Go To Class, again.

Volunteers for America

This is a post about volunteering.  The overall profile of college students in the general culture does not include generosity. Yet, students regularly fill the ranks of volunteers for a wide variety of causes both national and international.Volunteer opportunities are regularly posted on college campuses across the country and some campuses maintain a volunteer office or desk or co-coordinator.

Previous Planet College posts available here detail opportunities for volunteering and encourage students to do so. This is another Planet College post about volunteering.

A few years back when Deena graduated she was searching for something to do. Having completed her degree and graduated she was ready for 'something new' as she told Planet College; " I did not want to go corporate right away so I found Americorps. For our assignment myself and a small group traveled around the USA working on building projects in rural areas. I met people I never would have met in a regular job and I saw things I never would have seen. Looking back now I can say it was the best year of my life.  I felt I was doing something worthwhile and I could clearly see the results. That whole experience was incredibly worthwhile and I'd recommend it to anyone who has time and inclination to give something back."

AmeriCorps the national service organization developed and implemented during the Clinton Administration is celebrating it's 20th anniversary. This is the link to Americorp.  Check it out.

Planet College Job Search Alert

Work is so important on Planet College that Planet College has devoted a number of posts in the past year to just this subject. You can find many of them here. Planet College is not the only site concerned with student employment. Because the continuing health of the now global economy depends on educated work force publications of all kinds but particularly those dedicated to business and finance regularly publish articles like this one from Business News Daily. The author, Nicole Fallon, cites two or three authors and business writers who provide some general guidelines for graduates.

Planet College brings this to your attention because whether your graduation is pending this term or still in the future it is important for you to continuingly update your knowledge of the market for your skills as a graduate.  Focusing your active job search significantly increases your chances of finding a suitable position after you graduate.