Living in ABD - ABD'de Eğitim (tr)

Living in ABD: A Practical Guide for International Students

Daily life in the United States varies enormously depending on whether you are in New York City, a small college town in Iowa, or sunny Southern California. This guide covers the practical essentials. For costs, see our costs and funding guide, and for visa logistics, see our visa and arrival guide.

Konaklama

On-campus housing (dormitories)

Most universities require first-year students to live on campus, and many international students find this a helpful way to ease into American life.

What to expect from dorms:

• Shared rooms: Most are double or triple occupancy. Single rooms cost more and may require seniority.
• Furnished: Beds, desks, chairs, and closets are provided. Bring or buy bedding, towels, and personal items.
• Resident advisors (RAs): Student staff who organize social events and provide support.
• Meal plans: Many dorms require a meal plan covering campus dining halls.
• Cost: USD 800-1,500/month, often billed per semester (USD 4,000-8,000/semester).
• Utilities included: Water, electricity, internet, and laundry facilities.

Ipucu: Apply for housing early. On-campus housing fills up quickly, and late applicants may be placed on a waitlist.

Off-campus apartments

After your first year, many students move off campus for more independence and lower costs.

Finding an apartment: Use your university housing office, Zillow, Apartments.com, Facebook groups, and university forums. Start looking 2-3 months before your move-in date.

Lease basics:

• Most leases are 12 months with a security deposit of 1-2 months' rent
• You will need proof of funds (bank statements work for international students)
• Utilities (electricity, gas, internet) add USD 100-200/month
• Renter's insurance is recommended at USD 15-30/month

Homestay

Living with a host family costs USD 800-1,200/month (often including meals) and provides cultural immersion and a local support network. Benefits include practicing English and having a built-in community, though you will have less independence. Find options through Homestay.com, university programs, or local agencies.

Saglik Sigortasi

The US does not have universal healthcare. An emergency room visit can cost USD 2,000-5,000 without insurance, so coverage is mandatory for all international students.

Most universities automatically enroll you in their student health insurance plan (SHIP):

Key terms: A copay is a fixed per-visit fee; a deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in; in-network providers cost significantly less than out-of-network. Always use in-network providers -- your student health center should be your first stop for non-emergency care.

Compare student insurance plans for ABD →

Banking and Finances

Opening a bank account

Open a US bank account within your first week. You need: passport, I-20, student ID, and proof of US address.

Credit cards and credit history

Building US credit history is important for future apartment rentals and financial products. Options for international students:

• Secured credit cards: Require a refundable deposit (USD 200-500) that becomes your credit limit. Available from Discover, Capital One, and others.
• Deserve credit card: Designed specifically for international students; does not require an SSN.

Money transfers from home

For receiving money from family:

• Wise (formerly TransferWise): Low fees, real exchange rates, widely used by international students.
• Remitly: Fast transfers from many countries.
• Bank wire transfer: Reliable but higher fees (USD 15-45 per transfer).

Transportation

Cities with strong public transit

Car-dependent areas

Most US cities outside the Northeast require cars. Alternatives include campus shuttles (free), Uber/Lyft (USD 10-30/ride), and bicycles (USD 50-200 used). If you need a car, reliable used vehicles start around USD 5,000-8,000 plus insurance (USD 100-300/month).

Phone Plans

Get a US phone number immediately -- you need it for banking, two-factor authentication, and communication. Prepaid plans require no credit check or SSN:

Off-campus internet costs USD 40-80/month (split with roommates).

Yemek ve Yeme-Icme

Campus meal plans cost USD 2,000-5,000 per semester and include dining hall access with international, vegetarian, and allergen-friendly options.

Cooking at home is significantly cheaper: USD 200-300/month budget-conscious, USD 300-450/month moderate. Affordable stores include Aldi, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and ethnic grocery stores.

Eating out costs:

At sit-down restaurants, add 18-20% tip plus state sales tax (5-10%) to menu prices.

American Culture and Social Life

Tipping

Tipping is essential and expected: 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for delivery and taxis, USD 2-5/night for hotel housekeeping. Servers earn most of their income from tips.

Campus social life

American university social life revolves around campus activities:

• Student clubs and organizations: Universities typically have 200-500+ registered organizations covering academic societies, cultural groups, sports teams, debate clubs, and volunteer groups. Joining clubs is the best way to make friends and build a social network.
• Intramural sports: Recreational leagues open to all students regardless of skill level. Great for exercise and socializing.
• International student organizations: Most universities have cultural clubs and an international students' association that host events and provide community.
• Greek life (fraternities/sororities): Optional social organizations at many universities. Membership involves a recruitment process ("rush") and dues of USD 1,000-5,000/semester.
• Campus events: Movie screenings, guest lectures, cultural festivals, homecoming, and sporting events.

Cultural adjustments

• Informality: Americans tend to be informal. Professors may ask you to use their first name -- this is normal, not disrespectful.
• Small talk: Americans commonly make casual conversation with strangers. "How are you?" is a greeting, not a genuine question. The expected response is "Good, how are you?"
• Punctuality: Being on time is important for classes, meetings, and appointments. Arriving 5-10 minutes late is noticeable.
• Personal space: Americans typically maintain about an arm's length of distance in conversation.
• Directness: American communication is direct. If you need help, ask clearly -- people want to help but may not notice if you do not speak up.
• Academic integrity: Plagiarism and cheating are taken very seriously. Understand your university's honor code and cite all sources properly.

Safety and Emergency Information

• Emergency number: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies
• Campus police: Most universities have their own police department. Save their number in your phone.
• Non-emergency police: Dial 311 in most cities for non-urgent issues
• Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support
• University counseling: Free mental health services at most schools

Staying safe: Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Use campus escort services for late-night walks. Keep your phone charged and share your location with a trusted friend. Register with your home country's embassy or consulate. Familiarize yourself with campus blue-light emergency phone locations.

First-Week Checklist

1. Attend international student orientation
2. Get your student ID
3. Open a US bank account
4. Get a US phone number
5. Set up university email and register for classes
6. Locate campus facilities: health center, library, your department
7. Buy essentials from Target, Walmart, or Amazon
8. Apply for an SSN if you have employment (see our visa and arrival guide)
9. Explore your neighborhood: grocery store, pharmacy, transit stop

Sonraki Adimlar

1. Research housing options at your university and apply early.
2. Set up finances by opening a bank account and arranging money transfers.
3. Understand your health insurance and locate in-network providers.
4. Connect with other international students through social media groups before arriving.
5. Prepare for your career from day one using our work and career guide.

The more prepared you are for daily life, the more you can focus on making the most of your academic and personal experience in the United States. width: wide