10 things that every F1/J1 Student should do

1. Get a job [GRA or GTA or GA or OPS]

• You should aim for a GRA or GTA or GA position.

• Start searching for these positions before you land and schedule a meeting.

• GRA, GTA or GA pays your tuition fees.

• Try for a grader or any OPS position in different depts, If you ran out options.

• Apply for as many positions as you can.

2. Open a Bank Account

• Open within one week of your Arrival.

• Look for any Referrals and Promotions.

• Go for Paperless statements.

• Request for Free Cheques.

• Important Banks• Bank of America

• Wells Fargo

• Chase

• US Bank

3. Google Voice & Google FI

• Try looking into Google FI for phone connection.

• Can use WiFi to talk over the phone.

• $20 – unlimited calls within USA and 1 GB Data.

• Other phone service?• Register your Google Voice number at http://www.google.com/voice

• Unlimited calls and texts free within USA.

• 1cent per minute calls to India/Bangladesh/Pakistan.

4. Driver’s License

• Important task overlooked by many students.

• Give your written exam before the classes start. • Can get material for free online.

• Get a mentor and learn driving.

• Give exam within one year before your learner’s expire.

• You may need car during internship.

• Will help you in building good history for auto insurance.

• Will be your first togo Id Proof. [ID proof is must here]

• Go for it even though if you have an Intl Driver’s License.

5. Apply for a Credit Card

• Building Credit history is very important in USA.

• Look for good cashback deals or miles. • I would prefer the first one to be cashback instead of miles.

• Recommended to go with company that you have your Checking account.

• May need a security deposit of $300. [Don’t hesitate to give a deposit].

• Get at least two credit cards before your graduation.

• Keep an eye on spending.

6. Amazon Account

• Open an Amazon Account before the school starts.

• It is free for 6 months for the students with free 2 day shipping.

• After 6 months till 2 years they charge $49 per year for students.

• You can order all your stationery and household mini furniture stuff from Amazon.

• They have very good deals for students in the Fall semester.

• Free Amazon music, Amazon prime and unlimited photos storage.

7. Free rides in Uber and Lyft

• Its an hassle without transportation in USA.

• Open an account with Uber and Lyft to get free rides for the first few months.

• Go as group to split the rates.

• Have a look into referral programs.

8. Join a student organization

• It’s good to join a Student Organization that suits your interest.

• You will have a good scope to build connections.

• You can improve your communication skills.

• You will be exposed to American culture.

• You can attend seminars for free and have free food

• You can find many University Affiliated Student Org groups in Facebook.

9. Know the deals

• Its easy to save money in USA if you know what to buy and when to buy.

• Subscribe to deals sites to get more deals in your area. • www.deals2buy.com

• www.retailmenot.com

• www.groupon.com

• Note: Don’t be tempted for every deal

• Look for sales group in your area for any used items.

• Don’t buy everything new.

10. Budget Planner

• Its hard to maintain a strict budget and save money if you are a newbie.

• Plan your budget for the month.

• Use apps like • GoodBudget Budget Planner

• iSpending

• Mint

• Get habituated to save money.

• Use Splitwise to maintain your expenses if you are in a shared accommodation.