The International Spirit magazine- Vol. 4 No.1
FINANCIAL AID FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS - MARK KANTROWITZ
- Financial Aid for Foreign Students
- Home Return Group
- Buying a Stereo
- Immigration Questions
- Student Travel in America
Financial Aid for Foreign Students
Many international students want to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university located in the United
States of America. A common concern of these students is how to pay for their education.
Unfortunately, there is very little financial aid available for foreign nationals to study in the US, with the possible
exception of citizens of Canada and Mexico. Most grant, scholarships, and loans from public and private sources are restricted to US citizens.
Some countries provide financial aid for their citizens to study in the US. And there may be some aid available from the US government for
students from specific countries. US government student loans, however, are not available to foreign students. To find out if there is aby
financial aid for students from your country, contact your embassy, the US department of State, and the US Information Agency.
Some US schools have direct exchange programs with their counterparts in foreign countries. Such exchange programs often
include financial aid for the foreign student. To find out about these programs, ask your local university.
Foreign students who are already enrolled in a US university should start by visiting the International Student Advisor,
Financial Aid Office, and career Planning & Placement Office. For information about financial aid for foreign students. The campus library
may also have some relevant books.
A publication you may find helpful is Funding for US Study - A Guide for foreign Nationals, published by the Institute for International Education,
809 United Nations Plaza, New York,
NY 10017, telephone 212-883-8200. This publication lists more than 600 sources of funding for international students. Most of these programs, however, are
for graduate and postdoctoral students. Octameron Associates publishes Scholarships for International Students. The most recent edition I’ve seen
has a copyright date of 1988, which is somewhat old. There may be a more recent version. Other potentially useful publications include: College Board,
College Handbook: Foreign Students Supplement; Gregory A. Barnes, The International Student’s Guide to the American University, National
Textbook Company, Lincolnwood, IL, 1993, 208 pages. Includes a chapter on financial aid; A Selected List of Fellowship Oppurtunities and
Aids to Advanced Education for U.S. Citizens and Foreign Nationals, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, 1994; W. Wickremasinghe,
Scholarships and Grants for Study or Research in the USA, American Collegiate Service, PO Box 442008, Houston, TX 77244, 1987.
An organization that may be able to provide some information is the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA)
located in Washington, DC. Call 202-462-4811 and ask for the "Recording on Financial Aid". This recording provides information for foreign
students interested on studying in the US and US students who are interested in studying abroad. NAFSA does not provide any grants to
foreign students, with the exception of a small grant program for students from East Central Europe (202-462-4811), the Baltic States
(202-462-4811), or the former states of the Soviet Union (202-462-4811). Your school’s international student advisor should have information
about these programs.
For graduate education, most support for international students is provided by the universities in the form of teaching assistantships and research
assistantships. These assistantships are based on academic merit, not financial need. Write or call the
university to get details.
The bottom line is that there is very little financial aid available, and many foreign students do not study in the US
because they cannot afford the expense.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Kantrowitz is the editor of "Frequently Asked
Questions about Student Financial Aid", a collection of answers to common
questions about financial aid. He also maintains the Financial Aid
Information Page on the World - Wide.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/mkant/Public/FinAid/finaid.html
Copyright © 1995 by Mark Kantrowitz. All rights
reserved.
Home Return Group
Every year the International Student Organization (ISO) puts together the HOME RETURN GROUP.
This is a group of all international students and scholars who have
concluded their course of study and are planning to return to their home
country.
Returning home is not a simple task. You should "wrap" together 3-4 years of your student
life and move back to your home country. The graduating international student has
many books, as well as tee-shirts, jeans and sneakers, after all you are
returning from America. Most of you will intend to purchase electric
appliances and electronic devices that are usually cheaper in the USA than
in most countries in the world.
This task is becoming more complicated. As a returning student you need to contact so many
dealers and service providers, such as appliances dealers, shipping
companies, marine insurance agents, etc. You should also check the customs
regulations in your home country, and plan the "project" of returning home
in details.
We, at ISO, can make this "project" simpler and easier! Every year we organizes students who
concluded their course of study and decide to return to their homes. We
announce a proposal for three contracts for the group: Marine shipment,
marine insurance and 110/220 V electric & electronic appliances. The
organization reviews the different companies who compete for the contract
and assesses their reliability and availability for such a student
population from around the globe.
Most important, the group appoints a trustee, usually a distinguished professor or a professional accountant, who functions as the liaison between the group
and the chosen service providers. This is to assure that the student will not
be left alone in front of the provider. In case a problem arises, you have
the strong back-up of the whole group, the trustee and the ISO.
IF YOU PLAN TO RETURN HOME SOON, and are interested in one or all of these services, please
contact us at the ISO offices.
THE SERVICE IS FREE FOR ISO MEMBERS.
BUYING A STEREO SYSTEM, MISSION POSSIBLE
Stereo, also known as High -Fidelity (Hi-Fi for short), what does it mean ?
Looking for the Words Stereophonic and Fidelity in my Franklin dictionary
(electronic, of course), I found:
of, or relating to sound
reproduction designed to create the effect of listening to the original.
Fi.del.i.ty :
1) The quality or state of being faithful.
2) Accuracy.
Music, the subject of high accuracy reproduction for over 40 years,Stereo systems
the vehicle of reproduction.
Sitting in a Hi-Fi specialty shop in Manhattan, I could not bring my laboratory
equipment to measure the accuracy of the system I was listening too.
therefore I had to develop and use more practical tools to measure the
system’s accuracy , High-fidelity .
I decided to use my ears asking the same questions I would ask if sitting in a
live concert.
Do I like what I am hearing?
Is the music moving as it is when listening to a live performance?
Is the saxophone soothing my soul?
Does my favorite singer sound at his best tonight?
Am I enchanted by the music?
Here are a few questions that are totally irrelevant:
Do I have enough Treble?
Can I hear the drummer striking the Hyatt Cymbal?
These are questions I would never ask in a live concert, therefore why are they relevant at home?
In fact they are not! What’s relevant is, am I having Fun? Do I feel the music? Is
it "alive"?
Buying a system suitable to your needs and budget is the key to a successful
purchase.
So first let’s see what else is being offered under the category of Stereo
Systems.
The fun and Joy of Home Theater
The latest addition to the Hi Fi world is the Home theater or as some call it:
"Surround Sound".
Surround in itself means, using four speakers, or more, to achieve an affect
of sound coming at you from all directions. Such an effect can be achieved
by hooking an additional pair of speakers to your existing system (to the
"speaker B "terminal) , yet it is not what is commonly referred to as
Surround. "Real" Surround, also known as Dolby Pro Logic is the most basic
surround available.
Dolby Pro Logic is an encoding and decoding system for movies. Listening to a
system in Dolby Pro Logic (DPL) you must have the following factors:
The movie you are viewing must be recorded in
D.P.L
The transmission must be a minimum of Stereo
(Stereo VCR or Stereo broadcast). In Israel, for example the broadcast is
mono, and the Video tapes in the rental shops are mono, too, meaning you can
not utilize D.P.L.
You must also have a receiver or preamp with the
D.P.L decoding chip, known as a Dolby pro logic receiver.
Last but not least, you must use a pair of : front
speakers on both sides of the TV ; a speaker called Center on top or below
the TV; a pair of rear speakers on both sides of the listening seat and a
Subwoofer to replicate low frequency noise.
Dolby
Pro Logic systems are more complex in nature; they require many more
components, making them much more expensive relatively to the quality aimed
at.
Remember, 99% of all record material in D.P.L is for movies, not
Music.
It is safe to say that D.P.L extends the movie experience while distorting the
Music experience, as a result of more complex electric circuits distorting
the Music from it’s original recording.
All the above translates to lower Fidelity with Music.
After the introduction of D.P.L to the market, a new chip which claims to be even
more joy-enhancing with Movies named AC-3, or Dolby Digital is becoming the
new fashion trend in the home theater world. The main difference between the
two Dolbys are that the latest is recorded in 5 channels (verses 2 channels
with DPL) , meaning a better separation and resolution with material
recorded in AC-3.
AC-3 only works with Laser disc movies or DVD movies recorded in AC-3 , and of
course requires an AC-3 receiver or processor. Having an AC-3 ready Receiver
will not give you AC-3 results.
Music lovers around the world are not happy with this "mostly made for movie
"systems; so yet a newer chip is due out this winter. This chip aimed at serving as "Surround for Music" is known as DTS.
DTS is similar to AC-3 only it does not equalize the sound as much, it merely separates the sound into four channels very much like Quadraphonic
recordings did in the 70’s .As with all Surrounds recordings, listening to DTS requires material recorded in DTS.( very few labels are available)
A Surprising fact to most consumers is to learn that True Music lovers still do it the "old fashion way", Music lovers listen through conventional
stereo systems.
A few good reasons to buy a straight forward two channel stereo system are:
1) A better quality system can be purchased with your money, being that there is
no need for as many components to put a good system together.
2) Keeping it simple to operate is an old time favorite of many people who are
not looking for one more gadget to complicate their life even more.
3) Higher Fidelity meaning the system is more faithful to all Music.
4) It is easier to convert a Stereo system in to a surround system than it is to
reverse a surround system into a good music system.
5) Movies are not as important to some, as Music is, of those; some simply
prefer to see full scale movies in a full scale Cinema.
To use Raffiky’s words to Simba , in The Lion King :"but, who are you ?"... What
are your needs?
Are you Mr. Technology freak? ; A Movie enthusiast? ; A Music lover? ; Or perhaps
you are a technophobe?
Buy the system for yourself, not for the neighbor, not for the party you will never
have!
Questions that are relevant in determining Stereo needs:
What is my budget?
How loud do I listen?
Into what size of a room is the system going?
What music do I like?
What functions do I really use or need?
The above questions will be helpful in collaborating with an experienced expert/sales person to determine what system to listen to.
There are more than 50,000 products on the market today. You can’t ,and believe me, you do not want to, listen to them all ; Therefore narrowing your
options based on the guidelines and knowledge above is essential for making a good decision and will not turn the purchasing process into a nightmare.
Following are quotes and ideas I chose and edited
from what must be the most comprehensive guide to Stereo in the business
today: "Good Sound" written by Laura Dearborn
Fidelity, Equity and the Hassle Factor .
Ed Woodard, a leading figure in the Hi Fi world has described the three
following points to be the most relevant when buying a system:
Fidelity: The first element, , is self-explanatory.
Equity: Make sure you choose components of lasting value, not gimmick of
fashion value.
Hassle Factor : Simply means that most listeners don’t want to
spend their time constantly fussing and fiddling with their equipment, or waiting for it to come back from the "latest" in a never-ending series of
upgrades - they want to be listening to it.
Keep these three words in mind as you shop and they may help keep you out of trouble.
Choosing the Compromises
The reality is that not only do components reproduce imperfectly, but they also
each reproduce differently (And even if the components were perfect, the
room would add coloration that was not part of the original recording).
The basics include a natural midrange, tonal accuracy, the range of dynamic
contrast from loud to soft (dynamic range), and resolution of low-level
detail, which helps put the performance in a three-dimensional space within
the air of the performing room. The absence of glare, brightness, hardness
and similar irritations is also a basic.
If you are a chamber music or jazz listener, your compromises are likely to be
quite different from those of someone who listens primarily to orchestral
works or to rock.
Budget considerations and room realities also enter in.
Component Matching
Interactions between components often affect the sound as critically as the
components themselves. The parts of a system must be assembled holistically.
All components err; you want to be sure you don’t combine ones that all err
in the same direction.
The same system, set up in two different rooms, can actually sound like two
different systems.
When the sum is greater than the individual parts, this is known as a
complimentary nonlinearly.
The manufacturer is trying to offer an attractive package and offer a lot of
"bang for the buck". High fidelity doesn’t have "bang" - it gives you music
rather than fireworks. The manufacturer is very unlikely to be a great
turntable designer and also great at speakers and amplifiers. So generally
the components are assembled from a number of different manufacturers.
There are a few exceptions - notably some English and American companies.
However, this is very much the exception rather than the rule.
Therefore, you must use your judgment to select components that are well
suited to your room, and that are successful at reproducing the kind of
music you listen to the most.
This is especially likely with women, who tend to be more sensitive than men to such
higher-frequency distortions.
All audio systems have their own characteristic sound, just as all water has
some kind of taste. The particular taste of the water will flavor your tea
or coffee, just as the "sound" of your sound system will flavor your music.
The goal of high-end audio is to minimize the system’s "flavor", and then to
make the residual flavor as euphonic and musical as possible, so as to
interfere the least with the music.
Preparing to buy
Whatever you buy, however much you spend, there will always be something
better.
Most people don’t know how to identify quality and so cannot readily see it. You
can spend just as much or more on a mass-fi system and end up with far less
quality and satisfaction. High-end equipment is so minimal that people may
think they’re being taken for a ride with the high price.
System set up
You may be surprised how much better a system sounds just through the correct setup
and placement.
The role of specs (Watts, OHM, Hz etc...)
The inexperience will laboriously compare and judge components by studying the
specs sheets, happily ignorant of the half-truths and limitations of this
approach.
Spec measurements are not taken using music but instead using a sine wave - a far
simpler wave than music. It therefore cannot really effectively test how the
component will behave with music.
Sometimes, the one that sounds better actually "specs out" worse.
Your ears change also in the sense that as you learn more about listening, you
hear more details.
Dealing with dealers
You wouldn’t expect to be able to buy a fine musical instrument at a Woolworth’s
or K-mart. You shouldn’t expect to find fine playback equipment there
either. You should go to a place that specializes in audio equipment round
and owned by Audio experts not just sales people selling Audio today and
shoes tomorrow.
Travel around to half dozen different dealers, and chances are that you will hear
as many different recommendations about what to get. Each will scorn the
others’ advice.
A barrage of terminology is a potent weapon for the subjugation of gullible
customers.
A retailer may try to switch you away from a new component in short supply.
Many dealers are more interested in selling you equipment than in selling you
good sound.
High end stores are generally tiny businesses, often run by people who do it
because they love audio.
To sum this quick guide to buying a Stereo System I will summarize and throw in a
few more tips:
1) Less is some times more , More lights buttons and features, Like in a
typical Yamaha or Denon Receiver ,does not mean higher quality it only
means more gimmicks, and probably means more money spend , by the
manufacture, on unnecessary features leaving less money to be spend on
Fidelity. Some of the absolute best sounding equipment on earth is the most
simple to use such as the American amplifier company AMC, the Canadian
company Sonic Frontiers, or British companies such as Arcam and Linn ;these
products are practically featureless , but sound terrific with Music &
Movies, and are easy to use.
2)
Don’t buy a tape deck if you can’t remember the last time you listened to
one .If you need a tape get any descent Japanese Brand (Sony , JVC , Onkio..),
this is one thing the Japanese do fairly well .
3)
Equalizers are "out" , don’t buy one . with today’s fidelity results, good
systems do not need an equalizer.
4) CD
players do sound different, again the Japanese do a fair job with CD
players, but then again to get superior results the Americans and British do
a superior job with such companies as Alchemist, CAL, Theta, AMC, Anthem and
many more.
5)When buying Speakers under $1,000 don’t be concerned with how many drivers the
speaker has or how many "ways" the speaker is ; neither bother with how many
watts a speaker is rated at .Do Listen , Listen Loud ,if you wish, listen
long, listen as you would listen in your own investment ;
remember some of the better speakers on the planet do not necessarily
spec-out the best and are only of a "2-way" configuration such as the
British Companies Castle, B&W, or American companies such as Al’on ,
Genesis, Meadowlark and many more . Here is the place to do the unspoken of
and recommend against, the three giants in the speaker world: JBL, Bose and
Infinity have some of what I would describe as the lowest Fidelity I ever
heard. Not many mass-market speaker companies are left that actually produce
a Hi Fidelity speaker. On this subject, one last point. Some see the
products above other products used in live shows by professional musicians,
don’t be confused, the equipment they use is of a totally different
production line , costs much more then the home line and does not reflect
the residential product line’s quality.
6) All
Amplifiers, CD payers or Receivers do not sound the same, and are not
comparable on specs evaluation alone. Once again some of the better sounding
equipment will not necessarily spec well.
7)
Specs are merely a marketing tool, you can not hear specs, listen to the
music.
8)
Chances are that some of the better manufactories of Hi Fi in the world you
have never heard of, simply since those companies are not mass-marketed,
such as the Japanese products.
In fact, some of the better Hi Fi systems in the world are American or British
9)
There is no way to get accurate Music reproduction from a speaker the size
of a dry-good-can, even when supported by a subwoofer .Try and listen to a
decent size book shelf speaker (12x14x10) as a minimum in term of what size
speaker to buy . Avoid Japanese speaker all together.
10)
Remember, Surround is not a better stereo; stereo’s main goal is reproducing
music in a way that is faithful to he source. Surround is a format "living"
in parallel to Hi Fi and is mainly targeted at movies, where undistorted
reproduction of the movie is priority, not Music reproduction.
11)
Bring your own CDs of well recorded acoustical Music to test the systems.
Acoustical instruments are easy to relate to in reference term, in other
words an electric guitar by design has different sounds and equalization
levels, were a Grand piano, for example, has a coherent sound you can relate
to and identify with.
12) If
you listen very loud or to extremely demanding Music such as ‘Trance" make it clear to the sales person for loudness and bass extenuation are
major "penalty points" when buying a Higher Music Quality system under a
budget.
13)
Last but not least, find a sales person whom expertise you trust, listen to
what advice given, and then as always listen to the MUSIC or MOVIE.
Immigration Questions answered by an Immigration Attorney
Mike Meier received his Masters Degree in Politics from the University of Berlin (Germany), and his J.D. and LL.M.
from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. He is one of the
editors of a monthly law report, "International Law Update." Mr. Meier
practices immigration with AIS, Inc., a company that assists in obtaining
green cards through investment. If you have questions that you would like
to have answered in this column, please fax them to (301) 513-5217, or
call (301) 513-1705.
Currently, I do not have a valid U.S.
visa. I would like to apply for a green card, but have heard that there
are legal changes under way that may affect my ability to obtain a legal
status.
That is true. The crucial provision is
the so-called section 245(I) which permits people who are currently in the
U.S. without a valid visa to adjust and become permanent residents. To
become legal under this provision, you must (1) have a legal basis for
obtaining a U.S. green card (such as close relatives or the investor visa
EB-5), and (2) pay a fine of $1,000.
As of November 7, 1997, the situation is
uncertain. Section 245(I) initially expired in September, and was
provisionally extended. It has been reported that the U.S. Congress will
(1) terminate Section 245(I), (2) allow people who have filed their
petition for permanent residency by a certain date (probably the date of
the enactment of the law) to continue and file a Section 245(I) petition,
and (3) allow people who wish to obtain a green card based on their
employment to become permanent residents if they have been here illegally
for a total of less than 180 days.
This is probably all pretty hard for your to understand. What it means is that, if you don’t have a valid visa, and
you are in the U.S. and would like to stay here, and have a basis for obtaining a green card (such as close relatives or investments), you
should act quickly and file for adjustment of status to permanent resident. Once Section 245(I) is gone, and you have not obtained legal
status, you must leave the U.S. and will be barred from re-reentry for up to 10 years.
Since the situation is uncertain at this point, before taking any action, consult with immigration professional
What do you do if you don’t have a basis for becoming a U.S. resident? Some companies help foreign individuals to obtain a U.S. green card through
investment. According to the Immigration Act of 1990, if someone invests $500,000 in a rural or high unemployment area,
preserves or creates 10 jobs, puts the capital at risk, etc. may obtain a green card within a few months. There are investment programs out there that can
do it with an initial investment as low as $100,000.
Generally, for medical treatment your sister can obtain a B-2 visa (visitor for pleasure). "Pleasure" in this
case includes medical treatment. It may be extended one time. The visitor
must be in the United States only temporarily and have a residence abroad.
The visitor must show a legitimate purpose (here: medical treatment), and a
clear intention to depart prior to the end of the authorized stay. Also, a
B-2 visitor must show that adequate financial arrangements have been made to
carry out the purpose of the visit. I seems to me, however, that a mental
disease requires a long-term treatment, certainly a treatment of more than
one year. Some consular officer who receives your sister's visa application
might turn it down on the above-mentioned grounds. Therefore, I would
advise you to consider other options, such as enrolling her in an academic
program to obtain an F-1 visa. Also, please be aware that physical or
mental disorders that threaten the safety of others may be a reason for the
INS to deny a visa. At its discretion, the INS may grant a waiver and
permit entry under special conditions.
STUDENT TRAVEL IN AMERICA / by Kevin Gallagher
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam — America has it all, from its
lowest point in Death Valley,
California at 200 feet below sea level, to 20,000 feet of Mount
McKinley in Alaska. It is a
vast country spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean – almost
three thousand miles across, the 50 united states contained within the
borders of a single country more diverse in language, landscape and
culture than some continents containing many countries. America is a
true "melting pot" of cultures and peoples. Eskimos, Native American
Indians, Irish, Italian, Asian,
Mexican, Indian, African, British, Greek, Scandinavian...every race is
represented, all religions practiced in our land.
The United States is a young
nation, just two hundred and ten years old, yet the influences of
cultures thousands of years old are evident in the architecture and
faces of those who represent them. One can see the towering structures
of New York and other great cities and literally hours later find
themselves in a deserted landscape containing the ruins of years ago.
For example, historic Williamsburg, Virginia containing the rich
evidence of history from the first settlers in America around 1607. It
remains a beautiful, mostly rural area just a short distance from the
nation's capital Washington D.C. where you can witness the governing of
the nation on Capitol
Hill, discover the American
history at the Smithsonian Institute and check out the White House
memorials and monuments.
Las Vegas, a glitter and
so–called "entertainment capital of the world", is located in the middle
of the desert, hours from the nearest town, yet it receives millions of
visitors a year, boasts over two hundred places to gamble, topless
showgirls, glitzy hotels, fancy entertainers, dozens of wedding chapels
and millions of dollars a day won and lost in casinos.
The beaches of California are
legendary. The Rocky Mountains cut through the west offering clean air,
jagged peaks, hiking, wildlife and some of the best skiing in the
world. Hawaii is also part of the US, a garden paradise in the heart of
the Pacific Ocean with its own history of kings and volcanoes and
language more like Japanese than English.
One could go on for hours about
the treasures America contains and at first it can be
overwhelming to consider it all,
daunting in its possibilities for the traveler. Most Americans do
not ever see many of their
homeland's wonders and attractions. Places like the Grand Canyon in
Arizona and Mt. Rushmore in
South Dakota are just two of the most popular sites that draw
visitors each year and many
smaller places remain largely ignored by even seasoned travelers. For
instance, did you know there's a place where you can stand in one spot
and be in four different states at the same time? (Arizona, New Mexico,
Colorado and Utah) or that the northern–most point in the U.S. is
actually within the Arctic Circle? (Barrow, Alaska).
Do not be discouraged! Rather
then thinking, "I'll never see it all! Why bother?" realize that even a
lifetime of travel will not reveal all of this nation's treasures.
Instead, think of those places you've always wanted to see and start
with them.
As a student in America, it is a
perfect opportunity to take advantage of the freedom and time to explore
all the places you've ever longed to see or just wondered about. Just
think of the magic of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you can join in the fun
drinking and dancing on Bourbon Street while Dixie–land jazz fills the
air! Or of Shakespeare under the stars in the Central Park in New
York City––you can see it for
free! Or white water rafting on the Colorado River––it's all yours to
do. What do you dream about doing? What stories do you long to tell
your friends at home of the exciting things you've experienced in
America? Our classrooms do not stop at the walls on our campuses. The
entire country is yours to discover and learn from. Francis Bacon said,
"Travel, in the younger sort, is
a part of education... He that traveleth into a country...goeth to
school, and not to travel."
There are many ways in which to
go about travel in America. These are all based on a number of factors
including how much available time one has, how much ground one wishes to
cover, where you want to go, and, of course, how much money is available
for your travel plans. It is ridiculous to think that in several weeks
with a limited budget you would be able to realize your dreams of, say,
visiting all fifty states. In all likelihood you would just remember
nothing but a blur of landscape and an ineligible impression of the
inside of a bus or train. If faced with a limited budget or time to
travel, it is a good idea to try staying in a certain area (i.e. the
Pacific Northwest), and see everything in that area with a more
leisurely agenda that would allow you to absorb it more thoroughly and
subsequently enjoy and retain it that much more. Another alternative is
to travel to a small number of "pockets" (or specific areas), for
example, exploring the Northwest by traveling south and then exploring
these regions. This allows more coverage without too much time in
trains and assures greater enjoyment of these places you wish to
experience. It is also a good idea to research your intended places of
travel beforehand. This will avoid confusion and help with your agenda
(You wouldn't want to arrive in New Orleans two day after Mardi Grass
has ended because you were on the beach in Miami when you could have
easily reversed your plans and gone to Miami afterwards to
recuperate!). It is also important to plan ahead, especially if
visiting an area during peak season when accommodations may be difficult
to obtain or, if traveling by air, when no flights may be available.
The following are things to think about and compare as to methods of
travel you may consider.
AIR: This is the most expensive
method of travel and will most likely place you in an urban setting
where ground transportation will be your next concern as well as
lodging. Unless well funded, air travel should be used only to reach
otherwise inaccessible areas (i.e. Hawaii, Alaska, a different coast).
Air travel costs vary significantly from day to day and even depending
on what time of day you travel, if you fly one–way or round trip (round
trip often costs less), or which airline you use. Many airlines offer
special fares (with restrictions) and promotions. Student fares are
often available from agencies on or near your campus. Students should
check all possibilities for the best rates. Ask your airline too, if
they offer special promotions or incentives, such as Visit USA coupons (VUSA).
RAIL: Train travel is a good
way to cover considerable distances in relative comfort and for a decent
price. Although air travel is, of course, faster, traveling by rail
offers the opportunity to actually see the terrain you are traveling
through. Multiple stops also offer the choice to see even more. Amtrak
is the nation's leader in train travel and connects locally with other
train service, buses and ground transportation in over 500 different
cities. Call 1–800–872–7245 or 1–800–523–8720 toll free for more
information.
BUS: A closer, if more
uncomfortable way to see the landscape pass. Definitely cheaper and
more accessible––one can catch a network of connecting buses right down
to an exact street or destination. Buses go almost anywhere so you can
actually do all your traveling by bus. It is a slower way to go and
expect numerous stops on long trips. On a crowded bus it can be very
uncomfortable. Check for cost and time tables with Greyhound and Trail
Ways for long distance at 800–231–2222, or local companies for shorter
distances.
CAR: Traveling by car is one of
the best ways to get around. It allows the freedom to come and go as
you please, to travel as near or as far as you please, and to go where
and when you want.
Costs add up with gas, tolls and
maintenance, but options exist.
Rental Car: Compact cars range
from a couple hundred per week and up, not including gas, and in many
cases rental companies charge by the mile. Be careful as this could
make the rental too costly. Some companies offer unlimited mileage at
no extra cost. This should be checked.
Buy a Cheap Car: Buying a used
car can actually cost less than some long–term rentals!
Classified ads offer numerous
bargains, and so do notices of police auction (Check the Sunday New York
Times Metro Section). In both you may find a fairly used car at a
reasonable price. Then, the country is yours! Make sure all the
vehicle registration, insurance and driver's licenses are in order
before you drive!
Auto Driveway: Is a good
company with dozens of offices across the U.S. and Canada. For a small
refundable deposit they will connect you with automobiles people need
driven from one point to another (i.e. New York to Los Angeles). They pay for the first tank of gas and you drive the car for free while
returning it to the owner at the end of your trip! Unfortunately, this
process does not allow for too many side trips along the way, but is an
ideal way to explore. Their office in New York is 212–967–2344 and they
can direct you to offices in 34 other states and Canada.
Hitchhiking: While often
dangerous, illegal and not generally recommended, especially for women,
hitchhiking can be the cheapest and most exciting way to really see the
country, meet people and wander where your heart dictates. Hitchhiking
should never be done alone and if attempted is best done in pairs (i.e.
two men, or one man and one woman), for safety. Also couples are more
apt to be offered a ride than a lone male. Lone females or a couple of
women together will often have no trouble finding rides, but dangers are
high for women and should be anticipated. One or two women should not
even attempt hitchhiking, but if done – special care should be taken.
Do not hitch rides in dark places or with someone who makes you
uncomfortable for any reason. Truck stops and rest stops are good areas
to "talk" your way into a ride where you can look over someone instead
of just climbing into an unknown car. Truckers often welcome the
company and are quite good at long hauls. Having a clear sign painted
with your destination is a must and it is generally a good idea to stay
off major highways but to try to catch rides on entrance ramps or at
rest stops. Remember we don't recommend this form of travel in America,
but if you decide to be adventurous be also very careful and vigilant.
Fodors offers numerous tour/travel
guides to almost every part of America and can be found at any bookstore
along with many other helpful maps and guide books. The "Bible of the
Budget
Traveler" and, in our opinion, the
most comprehensive guide book available are the "Let's Go!" editions
published by Harvard Press. There are "Let's Go: U.S.A.", "Let's Go:
Pacific Northwest" etc. Covering in amazing detail everything we have
lightly touched in this article.
So, for anyone even considering
augmenting you education with travel in the United States, we say "Go for
it, and the time is now." There is no better time than when you are a
young student to take advantage of the opportunity to see things for
yourself, to marvel at the history of Alamo, or surf the North Shore in
Hawaii, or catch lobster in Maine.
Life is rich in experiences just
waiting to be lived and we are sure you will not be disappointed if you
take the time to explore and discover this great country––in fact, we are
sure you find it full of memories and experiences you will never forget.
Remember – Do not forget to
consult the "INTERNET" before you travel. There are numerous sites, full
of information and useful tips, on almost every place in the USA.
ISO, International Students Organization, is a leading provider of affordable health insurance plans for international students, scholars and visitors to the
USA. In addition to health plans ISO provides dental insurance plans, information on financial aid, scholarships and grants, calling cards and other services
for international students studying in the US. ISO offers a free bulletin board (e-board) that allows listing of apartments and rooms for rent as well as other
listings. ISO publishes the International Spirit magazine.
visitors to the USA. ISO’s additional services are: Calling cards, information
on scholarships and grants, dental plans, discount cards and more.