Universities in the U.S. attract international students for many reasons. The statistics say that over 500,000 international students are pursuing their higher education degrees in the U.S. At the time of applying for a student visa, most international students are questioned as to why they want to study in the U.S. Following are the top 10 reasons why international choose U.S. colleges and universities:

Excellent Academics
The U.S. provides some of world's finest higher education, especially in the field of technology. U.S. degrees are recognized all over the world and are considered to be one of the best in the world.

Research
The U.S. is the right choice for research professionals. There are many opportunities to do research in any field. The funding for most of the research projects are sponsored by the U.S. Government or by corporations. Also, many companies provide projects for the students in the neighboring universities to gain practical experience during their studies. Most of the research students receive waivers for their tuition fees and in some cases they are also provided with a stipend to help with their living expenses.

Flexibility in Course Curriculum
While most programs are structured very well, students also have the option to choose many other subjects as part of their course. Students have an opportunity to emphasize and narrow down topics of specific interest in their field of study. Sometimes students may even choose subjects from other universities as part of their studies.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is normally provided to international students, because pursuing higher education in the U.S. is expensive. Most of the universities financially support the international students either in the form of providing teaching or research assistantships. These assistantships are based on academic merit, rather than financial need. Awarded students will receive stipends, or either partial or complete tuition waivers. U.S. education could turn out to be completely free if the student exhibits exceptional skills in his or her field of study. Students also have the opportunity to receive grants, loans, and scholarships from various organizations.

Work Programs
Most of the universities allow students to work on their campus as either part-time or full-time employees. The students are paid minimum wage on an hourly rate, and their earnings help to cover their cost of living. Students are placed based on their financial need and personal skills. For example, an English major may be placed at the university library, while someone who has a Lifeguard certification may be placed at the campus Aquatic Center.

Internships
Students are allowed to work in their respective fields outside the campus for approximately three months as Interns during summer vacation. There are Intern programs during the academic year as well. Internships are a valuable part of education, as they help students gain practical experience while taking classes. Most universities offer academic credit for internship experience.

Job Opportunities
Once students complete their degree, they are authorized to work for one year in a related field, in order to gain practical knowledge. Students are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) by applying for an Optional Practical Training Employment Authorization (OPT). Many talented students are hired as a permanent employee after their OPT, by getting an H1B work visa sponsorship from their employers. H1B is a temporary work permit for foreign nationals to work in specialty occupations like Software, Engineering, Teaching, Accounting, or Marketing. Students may continue their work without leaving the U.S. after the F1- H1B status change approval.

Reorganization of International Students
U.S. universities provide extraordinary support to international students. Every university in the U.S. that enrolls international students has a separate office to help and guide these students from the very first day.

Cultural Exchange
Apart from education, international students get to interact with students from various countries and diverse cultures. This shapes them to a large extent and enables the international students to become world-class professionals, once they complete their education

Value
The success of any student will be directly proportional to the amount of dedication and hard work he or she exercises. Undoubtedly, the U.S. offers a very high quality of education. The variety of skills and cross-culture environment can make the learning experience in U.S. universities a rich and unique one. With such diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, international students are better prepared for working with absolute ease anywhere in the world.

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Other Resources
» Top 10 Course options in USA
» Understanding the US Education System
» US Student Visa FAQs
» US Student Visa FAQs for Indian Students
» Reasons to Study in USA
» Student Travel Arrangement Information
» University Transfer Procedure