Once our visa is approved, our journey to the United States officially begins.
The next steps involve the following: flight tickets – airport pickup – accommodation – apartment hunting – mobile phone – bank card.
Let’s dive right into the topic. Here, an experienced senior shares their insights with you!
Flight Tickets
The off-peak season for flights to the US generally runs from February to June and from late September to December.
Recently, most people are booking during peak season, so prices tend to be higher.
Here are a few recommended websites for purchasing flight tickets:
Kayak
https://www.kayak.com/flights
The website itself does not sell tickets but provides search services for flights, hotels, and car rentals, making it easy and quick to find the lowest fares. If needed, you can handle everything in one place through this site.
Priceline
https://www.priceline.com/
The largest online platform in the US for booking flights and hotels, offering discounts of up to 60%.
Student Universe
https://www.studentuniverse.com/
Designed specifically for students, sometimes offering very low prices.
Airline Baggage Requirements:
New students often bring excessive luggage when coming to the US. However, some items can be left behind, as the US has abundant resources. Basically, daily necessities can be purchased at supermarkets or pharmacies. For baggage size and weight limits, please refer to the airline baggage regulations on the following website: https://www.kayak.com/airline-fees
Generally, for your first trip to the US, you can bring one carry-on suitcase and two checked bags. Choose suitcases of good quality to facilitate long-distance transportation and repeated use.
Requirements for Items Entering the US:
See the "Notice on Entry into the United States" published by China Customs: http://www.customs.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab637/info166828.htm
Airport Pickup
For airport pickup services upon arrival, major US cities, especially those with larger Chinese communities, usually have Chinese-owned dispatch car services. If no one is there to pick you up, Chinese dispatch cars offer excellent value compared to other ride-hailing services. Chinese dispatch cars are about 30% cheaper than Uber in the US, making them very cost-effective. Below, we have listed contact information for Chinese dispatch car services in several major cities. Students should activate international roaming on their phones before departure so they can call to make a reservation immediately after landing; typically, the car will arrive at the airport within 30 minutes.
New York Xin Jin Ma
http://car8888.com/about_cn.html
US Phone: 718-762-8888 WeChat ID: car88886666
Zhonghua Dispatch Car Service
US Phone: 718-492-2888, 212-529-6060
Boston Shengda Dispatch Car Service
http://www.shengdausa.com/
US Phone: 617-304-5947
Boston Private Dispatch Car Service
US Phone: 857-222-2295
Los Angeles New Continent Dispatch Car Service
http://www.cozyshuttle.com/
US Phone: 888-891-6777
Apartment Hunting
Finding an apartment is one of the biggest challenges for international students arriving in the US.
Reason 1: Lack of understanding of the US housing market leads to passive pricing situations.
Reason 2: Unfamiliarity with US neighborhoods makes it easy to accidentally move into relatively unsafe areas.
Reason 3: Viewing apartments relies solely on photos, making it inevitable to encounter misleading images ("catfishing").
Fourthly, as foreigners renting in the US without a credit history, students are often required to pay large security deposits.
Basically, there are two strategies for finding an apartment:
1. Coordinate with classmates back in China to rent together, and have someone arrive early to view and secure the apartment.
2. Rent short-term accommodation upon arriving in the US, then find roommates and rent an apartment together.
CheersYou Bro, who knows a thing or two about renting in New York, shares many helpful tips here:
Many new students have misconceptions about New York. In reality, not all parts of Manhattan are suitable for living, and not all parts of Brooklyn are unsuitable. It mainly depends on the surrounding community environment and other factors.
First, you can consider checking your school's CSSA (Chinese Students and Scholars Association) forum. However, due to the high level of commercialization in the New York area, CSSA platforms have largely become hubs for various advertisements and agents. Many real estate agents disguise themselves very well, making their rental ads look like they were posted by students.
Beware of Real Estate Agents
Many real estate agents lurk in various new student groups, sharing all kinds of rental information, such as brand-new apartments, "zero" broker fees, recommendations from senior students, etc.
Is this really the truth?
There is no such thing as a free lunch, and no real estate agent or agency will provide rental services for free without seeking any profit. The costs are ultimately passed on to you. Behind the promise of "no broker fees" lies the potential loss of students' own interests.
First, many new apartment buildings originally offer various incentives to encourage occupancy, such as two months free rent for signing a one-year lease, or a 15% discount for the first year. Once an agent gets involved, these benefits originally intended for tenants disappear entirely.
Second, agents may claim that the landlord pays the broker fee, but again, the costs are passed on to you. Landlords will not sacrifice their own interests; while they pay the broker fee to the agent, the rent price increases accordingly. However, real estate agents do provide convenience for students unfamiliar with the US rental market. Those unwilling to spend time and effort can consider using them.
Rental Websites
I Love New York (51NYC)
(CheersYou Bro found his apartment through this site back in the day) http://www.51nyc.com/
North America Micro Forum (Lots of information, updated frequently) http://www.moonbbs.com/craiglist
North America Micro Forum (Absolutely NOT recommended!) https://newyork.craigslist.org/
Bank Cards and Phone SIM Cards
First, it is important to understand the difference between a Debit Card and a Credit Card.
A Debit Card is similar to a debit card in China; you cannot overspend. You can only spend money that has been deposited into the account. This type of card does not require a credit history and will not affect your future borrowing capabilities.
A Credit Card, on the other hand, is what we commonly know as a credit card. In the United States, credit limits on credit cards can accumulate over time. Americans tend to prefer credit cards because they like to consume first and pay later. Therefore, applying for a Credit Card is relatively more complicated and requires a Social Security Number (SSN). For most international students, getting a Debit Card is sufficient for making transfers and everyday purchases.
Basically, banking services are quite similar across different banks. The main factor to consider is which bank is more convenient in your area. For example, in New York, Chase Bank and Bank of America are more commonly used, while in other regions, Wells Fargo, Citi Bank, and TD Bank are also widely available.
In the United States, mobile communications are primarily dominated by these four major carriers:
Verizon
Summary: Excellent signal coverage, but higher pricing.
AT&T
Summary: Good signal coverage, popular among international students, affordable pricing, but limited data allowances.
T-Mobile
Summary: Average signal coverage, moderate user base, unlimited texting and data, 4G network, and brings-your-own-device options.
Sprint
Summary: Good signal coverage, smaller user base, unlimited texting and data.
Once you have sorted out these items, you can start your studies with peace of mind! CheersYou wishes you a smooth start to the new semester! If you have any further questions about studying abroad, feel free to ask CheersYou!
