What resources are available to help you find a university in the U.S.?

What issues should you consider when looking for a university in the U.S.?

Where can you find information on the strengths and weaknesses of programs in different universities across the U.S.?

How can your home university help you (if participating in an exchange program)?

Is the university you have chosen affordable?

How much money will you need to save in order to attend the university you have chosen?

About how much money do you think you will spend while in the U.S.?

What university size and class size would be ideal for you?

What are your personal goals for wanting to study in the U.S.?

Do you know what the cost of living is in the area of the U.S. where you plan to study?

How does the cost of living in the U.S. compare to the cost of living at home?

Have you started budgeting your income and/or saving money to provide for the costs of living in the U.S.?

Do you try to give all your purchases a "work value" in order to see the time it will take you at work to earn the money to buy them?

What categories do you need to create in your budget book/ledger (rent, food, clothes, entertainment expenditures, etc.)?

What other community groups might want to financially sponsor you?

For which scholarships, fellowships and grants are you eligible?

Are there any other ways to cut back on expenses (i.e. clipping coupons, etc.)?

Is your personal statement/essay strong and free of mistakes?

What are some of your best qualities and talents you can emphasize in your personal statement/essay?

If your GPA isn't the greatest, can you explain why, or include other activities you've been involved in instead?

How many letters of recommendation do you need, and have you given your recommenders plenty of time to write their letters?

Have you written, re-written and asked someone to look over your personal statement for you (especially if your English isn't too good?

Have you made sure to include in your personal statement/essay why you want to study at the university you have chosen?

Have you compared ticket prices offered by travel agents, student agencies and website?

Do you have a valid passport and visa?

Does your program require you to show proof of insurance, provide a doctor’s letter or confirmation of sufficient funds?

Have you made multiple copies of all important travel documents?

Have you registered to obtain absentee ballots so you can vote in home elections while in the U.S.?

Have you set up power of attorney?

Have you established how you are going to pay your outstanding bills back home while in the U.S.?

What kinds of laws do foreign students break while in the U.S. (perhaps, unknowingly)?

What kinds of legal assistance can the local Embassy or Consulate provide you?

What are the penalties for drug use in the U.S.?

Is consumption of alcohol legal in the U.S.? If so, what is the legal age for alcohol consumption?

Do you know how the legal system works in the U.S. ("innocent until proven guilty" or "guilty until proven innocent")?

What are your university's specific set of rules to be followed, in addition to any local/national laws?

What are the telephone numbers (regular business hours and emergency after hours) for your university administration office both in the U.S.?

What is the telephone number that will be used to reach you at your place of residence?

Where can you get the best deal on calling cards?

Will you need a cellular phone while in the U.S.?

If you plan to bring your PDA, does it work abroad?

Have you created an internationally accessible e-mail account?

Have you given out all of your contact information (e-mail, phone and fax numbers) to your emergency contacts both in the U.S. and at home, as well as to family and friends?

Do you know the address of your program office at home and the address of your place of residence in the U.S.?

Does the mail service in the U.S. tend to run faster or slower than at home (i.e. how long will it take a standard letter to get to the U.S.)?

Have you kept a record of everyone to whom you have given out your address, and asked them to alert you before they send you anything in the mail?

What are the pros and cons of living in a home-stay, residence hall/dorm or apartment environment in the U.S.?

Can you change your place of residence while in the U.S. if things don't work out?

After making a list of pros and cons, which type of housing suits your needs best and why?

What can you do to help yourself prepare for the Rules, Privacy, Sharing, Telephone, Meals, Language and Social Network aspects of the type of housing you have chosen?

Do you know how much luggage your airline allows you to check and to take on board your flight?

Do you know what your airline permits you to carry in your carry-ons?

Have you researched the weather conditions over various seasons in the region of the U.S. where you will be?

Did you remember to pack all important travel documents in your carry-on, not your checked bags?

Did you make a list of items you intend to purchase once you arrive in the U.S. rather than pack them?

Did you make an itemized list of everything you packed in your suitcases in case they are lost or stolen and you need to make an insurance claim?

If you have decided to ship some items, who have you contacted in the U.S. to insure pick-up and/or payment for these items upon arrival?

How will you have to adapt your routine and schedule to life in the U.S.?

What is the general quality of facilities like hospitals, restaurants, public transportation, payphones, etc. in the U.S.?

What modern conveniences does the U.S. offer (i.e. internet hookups, supermarket chains, name brand stores, microwaves, cell phone service, air conditioned classrooms, etc.)?

Will you be living in a co-ed dorm or apartment in the U.S., and does your university permit co-ed living?

Does the university you are considering include insurance as part of its program fee? If so, what kind of insurance does it provide you?

1. Are sports accidents covered?
2. What does the plan consider to be "high risk activities"?
3. Is dental and/or optical care included?
4. Are pre-existing conditions excluded or covered?
5. Are sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS) covered?
6. Is emergency evacuation for medical and psychological problems covered?

Should you consider purchasing your own insurance? If you do, will you not have to pay for the "package deal" insurance provided by the university?

Will you have to pay for medical care as you receive it, and then be reimbursed by your insurance company?

In case of death, will the insurance company pay for repatriation - the return of your body to your home?

What are the financial limits of coverage?

What are the insurance policy's start and end dates? How long after your study ends will you be covered?

Does your insurance policy provider have a 24-hour assistance phone number/hotline?

If your illness requires long-term care, for how long will you be covered?

What specific travel advisories has your country's government recently issued for the U.S.?

What types of crimes are common in the area/city where you will be studying and living in the U.S.?

Use and abuse of what, increases the risk of accidents and injury in the U.S.?

What health recommendations has the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently made for U.S.?

Are there any specific immunizations you must get before entering U.S.?

If you have any pre-existing health conditions, or you need to carry special medications in the U.S., what should you do before you arrive?

With whom can you leave copies of your important health-related documents?

Will your prescription drug(s) be legal and/or available in the U.S.?

What is the generic name, and English name for your medication?

Can your university provide for any special needs you may have (wheelchair ramps, untimed tests, etc.)?

Do you have access to adequate medical facilities?

What is the cost of typical medical services?

Who among the university staff should be informed of your travel plans, or who can serve as an emergency contact for your family back home?

Who is your emergecy contact in the U.S.? Do they have copies of your important documents? Can they make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself (do they have power of attorney)?

If you have to return home because of evacuation or medical emergency, will you be refunded for the tuition?

What are the general sanitary conditions in the U.S.? What kinds of precautions are necessary when drinking water or eating local food?

Do you have any dietary restrictions? If so, do they pose a problem in the U.S.?

How extensive, safe, and reliable is the public transportation system in the U.S. and the others countries to which you will be traveling?

How much walking will you be doing in your U.S.? How can you prepare yourself for higher levels of physical activity?

What should you carry in a first aid kit?

Do your emergency contacts know how to reach you at all times?

Do your contacts have photocopies of your plane tickets, passport, visa, etc?

What common tricks or tactics do criminals use in the regions in which you will be traveling?

Is local transportation (metro, buses, taxi cabs, etc.) safe to use?

Are roads in generally good condition, or are there common road-related problems (overturned buses, potholes, collapsed bridges, etc.)?

Is it safe to exercise or do outdoor activities on the streets (jogging along roads, running at night, etc.)?

Does your residence, university, etc. provide more than one escape route/exit out of buildings?

Why might there potentially be a need to evacuate in your particular area (fire, natural disaster, bomb threat, etc.)?

What types of notification systems are used in the event of an emergency (alarms, flashing warning lights, curfews, lockdowns, etc.)?

Are there high rates of sexual assaults in the areas you will frequent?

How do Americans and American laws deal with harassment and sexual assault (a cultural norm, supportive of victims, blame victims, prosecute, etc.)?

Do Americans tend to discriminate based on your particular cultural background, race, religion, skin color, disability, sex, or sexual orientation, etc.?

Does it matter that your cultural background, race, religion, skin color, disability, sex, or sexual orientation, etc. may place you in the minority or the majority in the U.S.?

How can you prepare yourself to deal with any prejudice you may face?

What things about you, your way of communicating, dressing, etc. identify you as a foreigner?

What events, celebrations, and groups might pose a threat to you as a foreigner in the U.S.?

What type of clothing might make you stand out as a foreigner, or cause you to receive unwanted attention?

Does the U.S. have friendly relations with your native country?

What is your university's EAP & what is your personal EAP?

Is your EAP up-to-date, and do all of your emergency contacts have a copy of your EAP?

How many other studentsare enrolled in the university each semester/year?

Can your university administrator put you in contact with any past students from your country so you can ask them questions about their personal experiences in the U.S.?

Does the univeristy emphasize "total immersion" in the language and culture, or are you placed solely with other students from abroad?

What are the average class sizes, and how much individual attention can you expect?

Can you identify what causes you the most stress about your plans to study in the U.S. and why?

What steps can you take to reduce your stress/concerns about study in the U.S.?

What are the three main phases of crisis, and what physical and emotional symptoms may result from each phase?

What are some emotions you may experience during a crisis?

What are some of the active steps you can take to make yourself feel calmer and safer in a crisis?

What are some of the common emotional side effects of culture shock?

How can I avoid feeling frustrated, depressed or discouraged?

What are some things I can do to combat stress?

What are Rhinestein’s 10 phases of cultural adjustment?

Have I experienced any of Rhinestein’s 10 phases, if so, how did I deal with my feelings?

Can I identify any possible cultural differences--between home and theU.S.--that might potentially cause me anxiety?

How is culture shock like a roller coaster ride?

Do all students experience culture shock the same way, at the same time?

Why is it harmful to “fear” a country’s culture?

What is the name of my university ’s student counselor (in case I need to talk with someone about my problems)?

Why might I also experience reverse culture shock upon arrival back home?

What are some of the common emotional side effects of reverse culture shock?

How can I avoid feeling frustrated, depressed or discouraged upon return home from the U.S.?

What are some things I can do to combat stress at home?

What are Rhine stein’s 10 phases of cultural adjustment and how are they applicable to returning home?

Have I experienced any of Rhinestein’s 10 phases in the U.S., if so, how did I deal with my feelings? Am I experiencing similar phases now that I am back home?

Can I identify any possible cultural differences--between home and the U.S.—that cause me anxiety?

How is reverse culture shock like a roller coaster ride?

Do all students experience reverse culture shock the same way, at the same time?

How has home changed since I’ve been away?

Am I more critical or more accepting of home, and why?

Does your university's career center offer any special services for international students considering employment in the U.S.?

If you are considering graduate school, does your university offer opportunities to do this in the U.S.?

What accomplishments from your time in the U.S. should you, or can you, include in your resume?

Would you like to return to the U.S., and what is the best way for you to be able to return?

What do you want to do in the U.S. - study, research, work, volunteer, intern, travel?

Who do you have to start talking to, to begin the process of going to the U.S. again?