Living in the USA

Living in the US can be a life changing experience and a great learning opportunity for the students. Studying abroad can be an expensive affair for students studying in the US. Living costs in the US vary a lot because of the vast territory of the country. In general, living in urban areas (in or near a big city) is more expensive than living in smaller towns or suburban areas.

However, an efficient budget plan can help you manage your living expenses more effectively. Before you depart from Nepal, ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage and travel along with your tuition fee when calculating the estimated cost of studying in the US.

Estimated living cost for the US is around $10000 to $12000 per year, which averages around $700 to $1000 per month. This includes your accommodation costs, room, and board, food, travel, textbooks, weather appropriate clothing and entertainment expenses as well.

Most universities in the US offer on-campus residence to international students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option, however, you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.

You can also options for off-campus accommodation wherein you can share apartments with other students from Nepal or live in a homestay with a local family. Remember, the rentals vary from city to city.

If you choose to rent an apartment, you will have to additionally pay for utility bills like electricity, internet, water usage and also tenant’s insurance (in some areas of housing). In most cases, universities help the students in finding accommodation, both on-campus as well as off-campus. The accommodation cost in the US varies by region and lies somewhere between $6,000 and $14,000 per year.

If you are planning to live, learn and grow in the United States, you already possess a well-known American characteristic—a sense of adventure! As an international student, you will experience many new and exciting things.

American culture has been enriched by the values and belief systems of virtually every part of the world. From an international student's perspective, that diversity is very valuable. If you choose to live in a completely different environment, you may be challenged with new situations every day; but if you decide to live in a part of the U.S. that resembles your home country in some ways, you may find comfort in those similarities.