Packing tips for international students

Studying abroad for any amount of time is an amazing experience, full of a variety of occasions that you will need different attire for! However, it’s easy to over-pack and bring unnecessary items when luggage space is tight due to checked baggage charges and weight limits. Here’s a list of helpful tips and suggestions to make packing as painless as possible:

Weather: Do your research before you go abroad and check out the climate in the country you’re studying in. You should know what the typical weather conditions are and pack accordingly. For example, the United Kingdom is notoriously rainy, so it’s smart to pack a good raincoat that will become your best friend during sudden downpours. A sturdy pair of rain boots also comes in handy, though you can buy these there because they’re heavy and take up a lot of space. Another example would be a hot, sunny location, like in Central America or the Caribbean, where you would need lightweight summer clothing, like shorts, t-shirts, or bathing suits (and in some equatorial countries – a light raincoat).

Shop Later: Like with the rain boots, it’s often a good idea to save some items to buy when you reach your destination because they take up space or are cheaper. For example, if you’re going to Boston, you can find a winter jacket, boots, and other accessories much more easily once you are there, especially if you’re coming from somewhere like, say, Brazil. If you’re not sure of specific styles, save up money and go shopping to help you assimilate into your new home and culture. It’s also smart to save space and buy items like toiletries once you reach your destination.

Be Flexible: If you are going only for a semester (or taking a short trip while you are already abroad), a good idea is to pack clothing that’s versatile and suits several occasions. For example, a nice top that can be worn with a sweater while at work or class, but also dressed up to wear when going out at night. People often pack clothing that’s in the same color scheme to make matching easier. Scarves are also versatile, whether you use them to keep warm, cover your head, or accessorize an outfit.

Shoe Situation: The most important thing to keep in mind is comfort. If you are attending school in an urban area or city, you will most likely spend a lot of time walking around, so a comfortable pair of shoes is a necessity. Going to class, most students wear more casual footwear, but you may also need business shoes for class presentations, interviews, or other meetings. If you want to stay active, a pair of athletic shoes are also smart to bring.

The Other Stuff: Your luggage will also hold much more than your wardrobe—don’t forget to bring items that remind you of home to stay connected while abroad. You can bring photos of friends and family to hang up in your new room or anything else that has sentimental value. One overall helpful tip is to pack in Spacebags—big plastic bags that compress clothing into smaller sizes by taking out all the air. But careful, it’s easy to go over the baggage weight limit by doing this because you can fit much more into a suitcase. Clothes also take up less space when you roll them, versus the regular folding technique.

"Wraxall MMB 06 Smudge and Whisky" by mattbuck (category) - Own work by mattbuck.

Packing can be a daunting task, but don’t stress about it too much. If you are moving to a new country for an extended period of time to study, you’ll end up buying lots of new things as you settle in to your new apartment and learn about the culture.

The most important thing to remember is to plan for the location you are going to and not for the place you are coming from J

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2 Minute GRE Crash Course (At Least If You Read Fast)

GRE manuals are often as fat as the New York City phonebook—you’re put off before the first page. Wouldn’t it be good just to have all that information—or at least the most important bits—condensed in one place? Well, here is a crash course on the GRE: what is on the test, how to study for it, and what to study.

So, like, what’s on the test?

On the math side, the GRE is a test of fundamentals, which are wrapped in opaquely worded problems with numerous subtle twists. On the GRE verbal side, it’s sophisticated writing with the complex thoughts that usually attend such writing. Oh, and there is lots of vocabulary.

In addition to math and verbal, the GRE also has an essay section. It’s comprised of two essays, one that asks you to analyze a big picture issue (“To truly understand a society we must understand its major cities”) and one that has you find the logical flaws in an argument.

To recap: if you are good with numbers and read carefully, looking out for a subtle twist, you’ll do well on math. If you are strong at vocabulary and subscribe to The New Yorker, you’ll likely blow away the GRE verbal section. If you like arguing the fine points of complex issues in writing—and remember your grade school grammar—you’ll likely do well on the essay.

How do I study for this thing?

Well, there is the traditional book form, in which you get an in-depth take on the different question types and strategies for dealing with these questions. Less traditional approaches include phone apps, podcasts, and online GRE practice like Magoosh, which allow you to answer GRE-like questions on the computer—the very same medium you’ll use test day. A mixture of all these approaches is recommended if you want to max out your potential.

To get really good at the GRE, you’ll have to take practice tests. Luckily, ETS, the creators of the test, have released several free practice tests that you can take at home. Learning from your mistakes on these tests and working on weak areas will help you boost your GRE Score.

What should I study?

Given the plethora of different sources, you might easily feel overwhelmed. Are they all of them good? Are some much better than others? Are a few to be avoided altogether? The good news is I’ve reviewed many of the GRE books out there and a few of the resources. The bad news is I haven’t been able to review everything. Luckily, a good guide can be the forums (I recommend the GradTrain forums and thegradcafe.com, where you can ask other GRE aspirants about their experiences).

The key is to use a few of the well-reviewed resources to get a sense of the different strategies out there, so you can pick the one that works best for you.

How will I do?

Beyond the specific question type and actually practicing the questions, there isn’t too much more. That said, I would be remiss if I did not mention scoring. The GRE scores are broken into three parts, one for math, one for verbal, and one for writing. Both the verbal and the math sections are based on scale of 130-170, yielding a composite score of 340. The essay is graded from 0.0 to 6.0.

And at a high level that is really all you need to know to get started. Good luck with your studies, and tell us how you do on the test!

This post was written by Chris Lele, resident GRE expert at Magoosh, a leader in GRE prep. For help with GRE vocabulary, check out our free flashcards and Vocab Wednesday videos on the Magoosh GRE Blog.

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Best ways to keep in touch while studying abroad

Deciding to study abroad can be a daunting decision, whether it’s for a semester or entire degree. This experience will likely change you in many respects, and have a significant impact on your career. One of the biggest challenges can be staying in touch with family and friends back home. Luckily, we live in an incredibly technologically connected world and there are many tools to easily stay connected with your loved ones while you explore your new home. One of the most obvious is Facebook, where you can easily private message or write on people’s walls, as well as post updates and photos during your time abroad for everyone to see. You could even create a Facebook group and invite your closest friends and family to post updates and stay in contact. Most international programs will form a group specifically for your peers, so you will be able to stay in touch with them even after the program is over.

In some countries, depending on the phone carrier, you can purchase a local SIM card to put into your own phone. You could also buy a new phone, carrier, and service plan when you get to your new home. These two options are best for students who will be studying in their new country for an extended period of time.

Smartphones, including iPhones, Android phones and Windows phones, offer tons of apps that make talking or messaging easy, often avoiding expensive data or other charges. Here’s a rundown of some app highlights:

WhatsApp: A free messaging service, WhatsApp allows you to direct messages (like Facebook messaging) with anyone who also has the app. You need an internet connection to use WhatsApp, so either a data plan or Wi-Fi.

Viber: Like WhatsApp, you can send messages and photos to users, but Viber also allows you to make voice calls when you have an internet connection.

Skype: Skype has been around for years and is one of the most popular ways to voice or video chat with other users. If you have an internet connection, you can Skype with anyone around the world who is also on Skype for free. If you buy Skype calling credits, you can call a landline or mobile number at a rate usually cheaper than other phone plans.

Facetime: Automatically loaded onto all Apple devices, Facetime allows you to video chat with anyone who also has the app for free. Facetime works best when using Wi-Fi.

MessageMe: A relatively new application, MessageMe allows you to send free messages and photos to other users.

Google Hangouts: A video, chat and screen sharing application that you can use with your google / gmail account for free.

GradTrain: Through GradTrain’s online video and chat platform, you can stay in touch with your coach as you make the transition abroad and throughout your studies.

This is just a short list of some of the most popular apps you can use because there are constantly new apps being created. Aside from all the technology, you can also stay in touch with friends and family the old fashion way - through “snail mail”—sending an actual letter or postcard at the post office. With so much of what we do based around the internet and social media, it can be refreshing to send a handwritten letter or postcard from where you’re studying, especially to someone dear such as your grandparents or parents.

Another easy way to stay in touch and also document your time abroad is through blogging. If you choose an online blog versus keeping a personal journal, there are many websites to choose from, such as Tumblr, Blogger and WordPress. It is free and easy to create an account where you can then update your blog with stories, pictures, and anything else you want to share!

Aside from all the social media and messaging services, a simple phone call also goes a long way towards staying connected with friends and family back home. As you are adjusting to studying abroad, possibly dealing with an episode of homesickness, a phone call home can be reassuring and comforting.

Stay in touch and connect with our global community at www.gradtrain.com

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You need to know: the 9 most common application materials

TOEFL, GMAT, personal statement, essay, application form... what do all these terms mean?

So you've decided to go for a study abroad program. But now, you look at the list of the things you need to submit to the school, and all kinds of words you've never heard keep coming up. The GradTrain blog is here to clear things up a bit with an application dictionary.

So here we are with 9 most common expressions about applications to universities abroad and their meaning:

1. English language certifications – Many programs ask you for English Certificates. The point here is that you've got to prove that your English level is good enough for the program you’re applying to. If you are applying to a graduate program, most universities require one of the two tests below (we have a full blog post about this topic):

• TOEFL  - take this if your dream school is in the US or if you have not decided in which country you would like to study.
• IELTS  - take this if your dream school is located in UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland or South Africa.

For more information on the differences between TOEFL and IELTS see here.

2. Standardized tests - if you are applying for a master’s or PhD program, most universities require one of the tests below:

• GMAT – generally, you’ll need to take the GMAT if you want to study business (MBA & PhD).
• GRE – most likely, you’ll need to take this if you are applying for a degree in Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences or International Relations. The GRE is becoming more popular for MBA as well, so watch the trend!
• SAT/ACT - these are standardized tests that serve as a criteria for admission in some North American undergraduate programs. Each school may have its own requirements. There is a cool map here that shows the trends.

3. School or college transcripts – the program you are applying to wants to know how well you did in your previous educational institution. A transcript is a document which reports the courses you have taken and the grades you have earned. It may contain information like how often you were evaluated, all courses taken, all grades received, all honors received and degrees given to you. We recommend that you start contacting your former school about 2 months before the application deadline, as it may take them time to produce the document. Ask them both for this and for number 5 on this list.

4. Degree certificates - when you finish a degree, you always receive a certificate or diploma. The school you apply to requests this as a proof that you've actually completed your studies.

5. Personal statement / essay / statement of purpose - it’s time to promote yourself! Be creative and write a 500-800 words essay (exact length may vary depending on the school). Each school and program has specific requirements. You should take some time to think and include in the statement every relevant experience, ranging from academic, sports, volunteer, leadership, etc. In a nutshell, explain your reasons for wanting to study the course and why you fit in. Some things you should not do on the personal statement:

• Avoid long sentences.
• Do not state the obvious, such as “As you know, being communicative is important for a marketing career.”
• Avoid rhetorical questions, such as “And why should I study in the University?”
• Don't be negative.
• Don’t be too abstract.

This may take some time to do. Start doing this around August or September (depending on the program you are applying to), when collecting other documents. For more on the personal statement, click here.

6. Research proposal – some Master’s / PhD programs ask you for a document in which you need to provide a detailed description of your proposed research program. We suggest you start working on it together with the personal statement.

7. References / recommendation letters  - these are letters in which someone important who knows you well will attest to your qualities, capabilities and fit to the program in order to help convince the admissions committee that you are a great candidate. For tips on recommendation letters, how and when to obtain them, check out "The 10 Commandments of Recommendation Letters".

8. Application form – each program provides its own online application form. As the name says, this is a form to submit your information and pay a fee to allow the school to . This should be filled out along with number 9, in the end of the process, around December/January depending on the program.

9. Financial Aid Application – this is typically not one of the required documents for the application. Rather, it’s an option provided by some of the schools to request a scholarship or tuition discount. Usually you need to provide information on your financial situation. In some programs you submit this request together with the regular application. In others you submit it separately. As a general rule, especially in top schools, requests for financial aid do not influence your chances of getting in, so it doesn't hurt to fill it out if you need it.     

Don’t forget: each school has its unique calendar and requested documents. Therefore, the dates and expressions written here are a general overview and not necessarily your target school’s requirements.

If you have any questions about this or other international education topics, check out our forums. Also, be sure to follow our blog through the “Follow blog by Email” on the top right of this page.

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An International Student’s Guide to New York City

New York City means something different to everyone, but to international students, NYC is often seen as the heart of the United States. Known as the 'city that never sleeps', New York constantly entertains tourists from around the world, whether it’s catching a show in the theater district or a boat ride around the Hudson River. Thinking of studying in New York City? Just landed and want to explore the city? Read on.

As for New York’s educational opportunities, the Big Apple is home to a variety of schools, such as Barnard College, Columbia University, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Juilliard, and New York University—just to name a few. Each school is known for different subjects, such as Juilliard’s performing arts programs that have taught some of the most prominent entertainers (Jamie Foxx, Yo Yo Ma, Robin Williams). Barnard, an all-female private institution, combines liberal arts with an Ivy League education and famous graduates include Martha Stewart. Columbia offers many prestigious graduate programs, including engineering, law, and public health and is also affiliated with Barnard and the Jewish Theological Seminary. As per its name, FIT is one of the leading institutions to study fashion, with famous designer graduates such as Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Nina Garcia. NYU is possibly one of the most diverse—both academically and culturally—universities in the US and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of fields. Often the classic university when people think of NYU, its location in Greenwich Village is just another perk to its high achieving academic reputation.

One of the biggest tourist attractions worth exploring is Times Square, a major commercial intersection in Midtown, Manhattan known for its bustling crowds, various entertainment, and stores. Times Square also hosts the annual ball drop on New Year’s Eve, which attracts around one million people each year.  

Some of the most popular areas for university-aged students are Downtown near Greenwich Village and Chinatown, as well as wandering around Central Park (which stretches 2.5 miles down Manhattan). If you want to experience greenery in the art of the city, Central Park offers a great escape where you can relax in the shade or sit by the pond. Harlem is also an interesting area to explore with its historical and rich art culture, as well as a convenient location next to Morningside Heights where Barnard and Columbia, among other schools, are located.

Another outside area of greenery to explore is The Highline, a new restoration project that transformed a historic rail line into a pedestrian walkway and garden between the meatpacking district and Chelsea. For a nature experience inside, you can check out the New York Aquarium or Central Park Zoo, both popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.

If you’re looking to spend some time at New York’s multitude of museums, a good place to start is the Upper East Side which hosts: the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney. The Met is the largest art museum in the US with many significant permanent art collections, such as classical antiquities from Egypt or modern art. Admission is also free, though there is a suggested donation of $25, making the Met an affordable way to spend the day. The Guggenheim is known for its permanent collection of early modern and contemporary, impressionist, and post-impressionist art. The building itself was also designed by the renown architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Whitney, however, focuses on 20^th and 21^st century American art, with a permanent collection of about 19,000 items. The museum also emphasizes showing living artists’ work from this century.

If you want to be on the water, check out Chelsea, an area known for its artist residents and the Chelsea Market that attracts foodies and other curious shoppers. The Chelsea Pier Sports Complex also offers many things to do, such as an ice skating rink and harbor cruises.

Another popular area, especially for grabbing a bite to eat, is Chinatown and Little Italy near the Lower East Side. From authentic Italian or Chinese restaurants to street vendors, Little Italy and Chinatown provide an ethnically diverse experience with plenty to see and experience. You can also take a food tour of Chinatown to get an even more in-depth gastronomy experience. If you’re interested in trying local beer and touring a brewery, check out the Brooklyn Brewery which offers free tours every weekend.

Once you understand the different areas of New York, it’ll be even easier to attend events and explore other sites. If you’re looking for a new place to study, check out the New York Public Library, whose reading room is a popular destination for studying. The library also offers free guided tours! If you want to catch a concert, sporting event, or other performance (like Cirque de Soleil), the best place is Madison Square Garden or Barclay’s Center. For a true taste of the US, take a harbor cruise around the Hudson and take in a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty; Carnegie Hall, the oldest music venue; the Empire State building, once the tallest in the world and still a symbol of NYC; or Grand Central Station, the gateway to the city.

Wherever your NYC education takes you, international students always find exciting things to do or sites to see. However, as an international student, you’ll fit into New York’s culturally diverse population—a factor that has made New York what it is today.  

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Studying abroad: professional advantages for the aspiring academic

If research and academia appeal to you, studying abroad could very well be one of the best investments you can make. In today’s academic world, where tenure and other research positions are dwindling, completing a graduate program abroad may very well give you the advantage needed to succeed. So, why can studying abroad be so beneficial?   

• Studying with the greats: one aspect of studying hasn’t changed in over a millennium: one can become a better professional by training at the feat of the greats. These are often found in leading academic institutions. A major reason to attend a school abroad is to benefit from the knowledge and experience of leading figures in your field. So, identify the masters and the schools they’re teaching at, even if they are not located in major metropolitan centers.
• Publish or perish: importantly, this axiom of academia hides another important fact - that there are considerably more articles and manuscripts written than there are publishing venues available. Hence, having great ideas, in-depth research and a magical pen to convey them all fluidly and succinctly, are not always sufficient. Being physically in a leading academic institution can significantly increase your chances of having your manuscript published. Especially if you come from a country where the academic institutions are less known, this can make the difference between publishing in a good journal and getting an academic job, and not publishing at all.
• Being part of the scene:  as in many other walks of life, who you know is often as important as what you know. If a large percentage of conferences in your chosen profession is held in a certain country, you better plan to be there in order to get ahead in the game. So, analyze, perhaps with the help of GradTrain coaches, who the leading professors are in your field, where conferences are held and who finances them. It is one of the best ways to create opportunities, and be in a position to benefit from them.
• The multi-disciplinary world: the advantages of attending graduate schools abroad are greater when you consider that academia has been shifting toward multi-disciplinary research and approaches. Later on, this experience can be crucial, when academic institutions evaluate your potential contribution to their departments. For instance, many research grants today favor multi-national and multi-disciplinary research groups.  Hence, the contacts created, lasting long in to the future, can prove most beneficial. The more academic contacts and collaborations you have, the greater your chances are to win these grants, and the greater your appeal is to potential academic employers.

If you still need an incentive and are not completely convinced about the merits of studying abroad, in this list you can check out famous and successful individuals who did just that, such as the South Korean rapper PSY and former US president Bill Clinton.

To get more information, don’t forget to visit www.gradtrain.com!

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The 5 ways to make your application to US universities stand out

How do US universities consider and screen foreign / international applicants? How can I improve my chances?

If you are looking to study in the United States, you are probably asking yourself – how am I viewed as an international student and how does the admissions committee decide if to accept me or not? Will I be looked at differently than American students? This will be relevant whether you are applying for an LLM, MBA, PhD, Masters, MSc, or any other graduate degree, and whether it is to Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, University of Florida, New School or any other School.

First and foremost, international applicants are assessed very differently than US applicants. The country of origin is a consideration, and some countries become more attractive to schools than others. The financial situation of the applicant is also relevant, yet you may be surprised that the financial situation of the school is also relevant. Many schools are very keen on attracting foreign students for diversity value, but also for financial reasons - ~60% of US students only pay partial tuition, while foreign students pay full tuition and very few get scholarships directly from the schools.

Though these considerations are relevant, their weight is relatively small. The main factor they will consider is - are you a good fit for their program, both academically and personally. 

But how will they know if you are a good fit for the program?

US schools (same goes for US employers), tend to look for proxies that will help them make decisions. Since there are hundreds or thousands of applicants each year for each program - they need to use a filter. Yet, for foreign applicants, all of the standard proxies do not work. It is hard for US schools to know the quality of all of the schools in all of the countries in the world, and to understand extracurricular activities that are very different from what is standard in the US culture. There are even some unwritten policies in certain US graduate programs to give a negative weight to a certain origin because of an overflow of students from that country. It is not viewed as discrimination - the schools would claim that they are trying to avoid a situation where there is no diversity in their international student body.

So - what are the factors that can work in your favor?

1. Portray a strong and leading background. Every person who applies for school abroad has some strong points in their background that show some leadership capabilities: e.g., if you were at the top of your class, a leader and initiator of a business or social initiative, a - make sure to mention it. Don't be shy - the committee needs to know about your outstanding achievements.

2. Demonstrate that you excelled in the “objective” factors - great GMAT/GRE/TOEFL scores. This is the easiest point for the admissions committee to compare you to the other applicants. Having good scores here will significantly improve your chances.

3. Show that you will fit into the atmosphere of the school. Make sure to research and understand the unique approach and point of view of each school and tweak your materials accordingly. This could include some talents that you have or extracurricular activities you did, that show that you are a team player and get along well with peers and supervisors. The admissions committee will try to imagine how you, as a person, will fit in to the school and with the other students they accept for your class.

4. Show that you are somehow connected to the school. Familiarity is very important, and showing a direct connection to the school enhances this feeling for the committee even without meeting you in person. If you can, obtain a strong reference letter from a Prof. that was at the school as a visiting scholar, mention that you spent an exchange semester there or at a similar school, mention that your sibling / parent studied at that school etc. 

5. Demonstrate that the program you are pursuing fits in to your career trajectory and aspirations, whether in academia or in the private sector. For example, if you aspire to be a leading Professor in the field of Engineering, describe how the specific program you are applying to will put you on the right track to achieving that goal. Same goes if you want to be a consultant in a Big 5 consulting firm, a lawyer in a top 10 law firm, a banker, a teacher, or any other profession. 

These 5 points can make a big difference in your chances of acceptance to the programs of your choice. You will need to emphasize them in your application package and specifically in your essay / personal statement.  Take a look at our previous blog: How to write your statement of purpose, personal statement and essay for American graduate programs for more information. 

And – good luck! Millions of people study abroad every year – so it is not impossible. Make sure you stand out from the crowd and you can make it happen.

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