Learn English Abroad - Boston, MA, USA

Posted On May 08, 2023 |

The most unique thing about Boston that attracts students is the density of top-tier universities.

Boston Overview

"The most unique thing about Boston that attracts students is the density of top-tier universities. Many international students come with dreams of attending Harvard and MIT, but Boston has tons of great schools, among them Boston College, Boston University, Tufts, Northeastern, and Emerson. Because of the draw created by these universities, students also have a whole lot of options in terms of ESL schools. Not only do most colleges and universities have ESL programs; there are lots of private English schools to choose from as well, particularly in Cambridge, Allston, and downtown."

What would people from Boston say are the negatives about living in your City?
"Boston winters are probably everyone's biggest complaint! It starts getting cold around October and doesn't really warm up until May, but that just means that we appreciate spring and summer so much more! Boston is also very close to Cape Cod, which is absolutely beautiful during the warmer months, so we have a lot to look forward to once the winter is over!"

Is it easy or difficult for students to obtain visas or to work while they are studying? (and extra information you can give on this is appreciated!)
"As an International Student Advisor, I can speak to this one! In order to apply for an F-1 Student Visa, you need to be accepted to an American institution that can issue you an I-20. It is not too difficult to have your visa approved as long as you can demonstrate strong ties to your home country, such as family, property ownership, or an unfinished educational degree.

"Working on a student visa is a lot more complicated. It is very important to obtain authorization from your school before working because working without permission is considered unauthorized employment and can result in the termination of your student visa. On a student visa, students can work on campus, or can work off campus if they are approved for either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Most of these benefits are available to you after you have been studying in the US for at least one year, so talk to your International Student Advisor once you arrive!"

What are the main expenses for students?
"Living expenses and tuition are the biggest expenses for students. International students cannot receive government financial aid in the US, and their employment options are limited, so it is very important to calculate how you will pay for all of your tuition and living expenses before committing to an American education. It is common for students to take out loans, apply for scholarships, and go home during the summer to work in their country to save up money for school."

"Students can save money by living in a shared apartment (see next question), cooking meals at home, buying used textbooks and living outside of the city where the rent may be cheaper. Another great option is to take some general education classes or electives at a local community college and transfer them into your university. Depending on the price of tuition at your home institution, community college classes could be half the price of regular classes, but still satisfy requirements!"

Is it difficult to find student accommodation in Boston. Is the demand high?
"Living costs in Boston are very high, so most likely you'll be sharing an apartment, or even a room, with roommates. This is a great way to save money, especially because you will be splitting the utilities (heat, electricity, etc.) as well.

"While living on campus or with a host family may be very convenient, it may not be the best way to save money. Boston has a huge population of students, so the turnover of apartments is very high. Sub-letting from other students is always an option, and there are a lot of neighbourhoods with varying rent prices, so it's important to shop around before making any commitments."

Any other information about your school and why it stands out!

"Ginseng English https://ginsengenglish.com is actually an entirely online English school, though we are based out of Boston. We have an International Student Advisor and offer advising and placement services to students who want to study in the US, so please get in touch with us if you’d like to study in Boston or elsewhere in America!"

Here are a few helpful Sites for Visa/Immigration Details for the USA

Visit these sites to find significant info on US visa and immigration:

https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

https://www.us-immigration.com/cart/category/us-visas.html

https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration/f1-student-visa/how-to-apply-f1-visa/

Examples of living costs:

A 3-bed apartment in Boston city centre will set you back 4,064.90 $ in rent per month. An average lunch out costs around $15. A three-course meal for two works out at about $69 without drinks and a monthly pass on public transport will cost around $84.50.

Online sources that are helpful for finding accommodation in USA

You can check out the sites given below to find information on accommodation options in the USA as an international student.

https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/the-full-scoop-on-study-abroad-housing-options

Categories: Learn English abroad