Studying in the US

[Viena]

My university has a student exchange program with two US universities, Northeastern (Boston) and Georgia Tech (Atlanta). I've been planning on applying on it for next September, which will be the next to last semester of my five-year Computer Science degree.

The thing is, the inscription period opens in about two weeks, and I'm still undecided on which of the two choices would be best for me, so I guessed I would ask around here in hopes of finding someone which might be familiar with those universities and also to ask for some random questions about college life. If someone has experience studying abroad in the US tips and advice are valuable too.

According to my dean, there's 4 spots available in Georgia Tech and 1 (perhaps 2) for Northeastern. It's certainly possible to apply for both universities, while stating which one is preferred, so you get a chance to the other if not accepted in the first choice. It's likely I'll end up getting in either, otherwise I'll just sign up for an erasmus in Edinburgh.

While it's my understanding that GT is more prestigious than the Northeastern, there's a few reasons that make me consider the Northeastern:
- I know two people that are in Boston (a Harvard teacher and a friend who's working in a startup) which I could likely get help from in case I encountered an unexpected and major problem.
- A schoolmate of mine (that I often rely on, and he often relies on me for academic matters) will most likely end up going to GT that same semester. I'm somewhat afraid that it would probably ruin the immersion with American and foreign students, which is a big part of what I aim for when going there. I'm not really sure how I could tell him something along the lines of "listen, I don't really want to meet you while we're over there".
- Boston is closer to some places quite attractive for tourism, like New York or Canada for some sightseeing when the course is over but my visa has yet to expire.
- The south sometimes scares me >_>

So, people might be familiar with the universities, should I forget about my reasons to pick the Northeastern and choose GT? Or are there other advantages within the Northeastern that I'm not aware of?

Now, for more general questions about studying abroad/college life. I might add some in the future when I come up with them.

Is a 3 month tourist visa compatible with a 6 month student visa? I'm considering doing some tourism before or after the course.
Which would be the best way to get my pocket money in there? Opening a bank account in an American bank over here or carrying the bills and open an account when I arrive?
What's the usual girl/boy ratio like for CS over there? Is it as bad as in here at like <1/10?
Is it possible to iron clothing without bringing an iron? My answers so far to this is that college students don't iron at all. ._.
Are the showers co-ed?
Is a vaccine history required? I can't really recall where mine is right now, might need to fly to my dad's home to search for it over there.
What's the recommended way of dealing with a health insurance? Get an insurance over here with international coverage or get one in the States?
Are dorms noisy?
What's the usual course of action if your dorm mate is a jerk? How likely is that?

Well, that's all I can come up with right now. Thanks in advance to BG for sharing your wisdom with me and helping make up my mind.

[Judai]

idk much about either college, other then GT is a mode widely known school due to it's athletic programs. Depending on how much money you are bringing, I would open an account first but you have to make sure there are bank and atms wherever you are going to be living for your bank. There are a ton of banks that are regional only. I would assume there would be more girls there as well but if CS is Computer Science, then you won't see many girls in your classes, and the few who are won't be knockouts. idk what Ironing is, so I can't help you there.

Most showers are not co-ed but again, depends on your dorm/school, you should be able to find that out on their web sites and again, some dorms are noisy, some aren't. There are usually rules about noise but it all depends on if your neighbors are party animals or not. GT will probably have more parties as well. I only had one roommate I couldn't stand, my sister has had a couple but if it's bad enough you can just talk to the people in charge of your dorm/floor/counselors and try to get either them or yourself moved out and again, likeliness depends on your personality really and what you can tolerate. I haven't had many problems with roommates though.

[Charismatic]

idk what Ironing is, so I can't help you there.

Okay, what? Seriously..?

Does this look foreign to you?
http://g-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/13...09_rect540.jpg

[Judai]

Okay, what? Seriously..?

Does this look foreign to you?
http://g-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/13...09_rect540.jpg

Looks like something I saw a woman use once. Apparently need a sarcasm font on bg.

[Kerberoz]

Personally, you couldn't pay me to live in Georgia for any amount of time, and you'll probably end up hating the entire country if your first exposure is The South. Boston's not bad; just try not to laugh when the locals pronounce "taco".

1. Is a 3 month tourist visa compatible with a 6 month student visa? I'm considering doing some tourism before or after the course.
2. Which would be the best way to get my pocket money in there? Opening a bank account in an American bank over here or carrying the bills and open an account when I arrive?
3. What's the usual girl/boy ratio like for CS over there? Is it as bad as in here at like <1/10?
4. Is it possible to iron clothing without bringing an iron? My answers so far to this is that college students don't iron at all. ._.
5. Are the showers co-ed?
6. Is a vaccine history required? I can't really recall where mine is right now, might need to fly to my dad's home to search for it over there.
7. What's the recommended way of dealing with a health insurance? Get an insurance over here with international coverage or get one in the States?
8. Are dorms noisy?
9. What's the usual course of action if your dorm mate is a jerk? How likely is that?

2. Neither should prove difficult. Just be sure to get a debit card.
3. Yep
4. Irons are like $5 at the corner dollar store. I wouldn't waste suitcase space on one.
5. Not remotely common. Most dorms are co-ed by wing/floor/suite.
7. Most schools offer subsidized student insurance.
8. Varies, but most have enforced quiet hours during the week.
9. You're usually SOL if they're not actually breaking rules, but it varies. Make sure you set up ground rules from the start.

[Palin]

I'd go with Boston personally. The big cities in the Northeast are easier for foreigners.

[Lucienne]

I have no idea where you live, so you should really check the rules with the embassy in your country, but this is what applies in Sweden:
US embassy

Please note that F, M and J visa holders may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the beginning of the program start date, given on the DS-2019, or I-20 form. If you try to enter more than 30 days in advance you will be denied entry.

Regarding the vaccine, same thing. Check with the embassy in your country, it might differ from country to country. I didn't need any from Sweden.
I'd recommend you to get insurance in your country. At least in Sweden there are special insurances for students that even cover such things as missing exams due to injury. My 3 month insurance cost me roughly $450.
If you want to bring an iron, remember that you will need adapter and that your iron might not work regardless, since the voltage in us is lower.

[Ksandra]

out of curiosity where are you coming from? This could be a decision maker only because if you're from like Africa and you go into Boston, your in for a huge weather shock lol.

[Viena]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I'm from Barcelona. I'm well aware of Boston's cold weather, but I've always had a preference towards cold climates, I don't think that will be a problem.

Boston's not bad; just try not to laugh when the locals pronounce "taco".

I'm in no position to laugh given how awful my own pronunciation is. >_<

[Pirian]

I have a good friend that goes to GT that loves it there. She's in the mechanical engineering program and is actually on exchange in Singapore right now. Probably doesn't help all that much, but there it is

[clobetasol]

Tienes que cuidar muy bien tus genitales porque los gringos, le gustan tocarlo.

[miokomioko]

I would have to say Boston just because of how much Georgia sucks in general.

I knew this girl from Japan who's first American experience (through an exchange program) was Kansas. I felt really bad for her. Luckily, we managed to reeducate her with a visit to California.

[izembo]

atlanta is a completely different culture than the rest of GA, and tech is a great school, and more recognizable/respectable. definitely not really shit to do in the city though after a week haha.

the locals pronouncing tacos in atlanta though is more mexicans saying a whole sentence in spanish, as no one really eats tacos here. its fried chicken and uhhh no idea haha

should also say i live like a 5-10min drive from ga tech campus, really nice area/part of town

[Cleverness]

Tienes que cuidar muy bien tus genitales porque los gringos, le gustan tocarlo.

rofl

[cdgreg]

Is a vaccine history required? I can't really recall where mine is right now, might need to fly to my dad's home to search for it over there.

Oh ya, 100%. You'll be able to enroll/register for classes, but before classes start you'll be booted if you don't have documentation turned in.

[Stumblingdrunk]

- The south sometimes scares me >_>

It should, go to Northeastern.

[TheTaru]

Nothing really new to add that others haven't said. My uncle teaches at Georgia Tech though, and he's a huge asshole.

[Hitoru]

I live in North Florida and work in GA and I can say without a shadow of a doubt you'd be better off going to Boston. The south is typically a culture shock in comparison to the north, or at least I've noticed. I prefer the climate and people up in Mass so I may be a bit biased but it's completely a nicer area, imo.

Oh, and not sure if you have an accent on ya or not, but it seems to confuse the more 'southern' of people down here. Just fyi. (Even though you can't understand what they are saying half the time)

[toonces]

As a foreigner, i did the Boston thing, and I highly recommend it. Don't know much about the south, but the culture in the NE is pretty mixed, so you get a lot of everything (PS. NYC is about 8 dollar bus ride away too ). Also you won't need a car if you go to Northeastern, which is a big plus.

Like others said, for traveling and visa. Check with your embassy, every country is different and I had friends denied entry as students for not following the rules and having to push their study a semester.

[Viena]

With some of the answers here I'm feeling reassured of Boston not being a bad choice.

Another question: Are dorm thefts much of an issue? Can one expect lockers to safely store valuables? I'm a bit of a photography enthusiast and would really like to take my camera with me over there, but it's not something I would just store anywhere. I should probably worry for my laptop too.