Holidays USA Mother's Day

Internationally every country has its own schedule of days dedicated to their own unique individual, indiginous holidays and celebrations. No doubt, back home, you have participated in most of these observences.

For International Students the excitement of studying in the USA includes the opportunity to participate in national holidays unique to this country.  Your school's calendar probably includes many of the holidays which ocurr during your school year. * Each of these holidays is observed in a different way although most of them include some type of social gathering, a party or a celebration.

If you have been studying here for a while you are by now familiar with several of these national holidays. It would be nearly impossible to reside in the USA for any length of time and not notice the excitement of The Fourth of July, the colorful costumes of Halloween or the variety of observances around Christmas Day.

If you are out this weekend you may notice some restaurants are a little busier than usual on Sunday afternoon.  That is because, here in the USA, one of the many national holidays is coming up this weekend. It is known as Mother's Day. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May and, as the name suggests, it is a day when, nationally, Mother's are honored. This holiday is characterized by families gathering to celebrate. Sometimes included are gifts for the guest of honor, mother.  Those who are unable to attend usually communicate their best wishes, either by phone or e-mail or greeting card.

If you have friends who invite you to a Mother's day celebration you probably will not be required to contribute anything but your own presence.  Joining with a family in their own personal holiday is a worthwhile way to expand your cultural awareness as well as have a good time. 

So, if you are invited to a Mother's Day celebration, be sure and take the opportunity to attend along with your friend. While your education is the reason you are here there are lots of other things to experience while here in the USA. Take the opportunity, you'll enjoy it.

*If you are coming to the USA to study but have not as yet arrived your school's schedule contains a list of the holidays observed at your campus. This can be important for a numer of reasons one basic reason being that many colleges and universities in the USA do not operate on certain national holidays.  These holidays are known as ' Legal Holidays' and many other businesses and public agencys, such as banks and government offices are also often closed on these days. So be sure and get up to date on which holiday's your school observes.

Details for International Students; Automoblie Insurance

 Because many International Students come to the USA intending to drive while they are here Planet College presents this post.

International Students have traveled to the USA for many decades to obtain or improve their education and careers. Since the time International students began arriving  here many changes have occurred in American life. One of the most profound changes, a change not just experienced in the USA but also globally, was the arrival of the automobile during the early twentieth century. Both in the USA and worldwide the automobile changed the culture and life nearly every person on earth.

With the automobile came, inevitably, regulations, rules, procedures, manuals most of which were intended to bring order to a world now buzzing with individual motorized transportation. One of the now common requirements for autos and their drivers is insurance.

International students who intend to drive in the USA would be well advised to investigate the regulations regarding automobile insurance before their arrival.  Your college or university most likely has  information about cars and in particular guidelines for cars on campus on their website. However the establishment and administration of the general policys regarding cars and insurance is maintained by the state in which your college is located. You can find the regulations you need to be aware of on the state site of your college. Often this supervision is handeled by an agency known as The Department of Motor Vehicles and usually called the DMV.

If you intend to drive while in the USA check this site before you arrive. These offices have the information about driver's licenses, ( you will need one.), vehicle registration and insurance requirements. This office will also have a list of fees, in dollars, required for each of these items.

 Once here you can obtain the necessary documentation from a local DMV office but it will be helpful if you know in advance how much you can expect to pay, in dollars, for these requirements.

International Students; Welcome To The Global Village, USA

 College is often experienced as another planet for typical students. This site has been dedicated to presenting college life as the alternate reality it is for most students. Somewhat like visiting a foreign culture without ever leaving your home country. But. Many students do leave their home country and culture to learn in and learn more about the USA.

With summer nearly here travel is on many many students' minds. Planet College has regularly posted information for USA students traveling abroad since 2007. Some of those entries can be seen here.

Planet College understands that student travel works both ways. Many international students travel to the USA to study, both for Summer and the Regular Term. On the website operated here by the Institute for International Education  for who are curious about studying in the USA a student from Trinidad is quoted as saying, "College in the USA is like a global village."

This statement sums up the experience of many, many, students both international and native USA. College and college life is a global experience.

Planet College, this website, continues to offer ideas, tips, insights and help to all students, local and global who pursue the opportunies to learn, earn and grow in the uniquely stimulating culture that is Planet College.

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.