There’s always going to be an appeal about studying in the US.
No matter the earth-shaking policies or the (potentially negative) world news-trending events, international students still see the country as one of the best places to earn their academic transcripts.
Attending a university in the US is prestigious in itself. The country is home to many top-ranking universities. 24 US universities have made it to the top #100 rankings on QS World University Rankings 2025, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranking #1 for many, many years.
Besides, after graduating, you’ll have an opportunity to work in the US — on an OPT visa or a work visa. And if you have worked in the US for some years, you may be eligible for a green card.
While that last point may be the main reason for many, there’s no denying the better quality of life you’d get to experience on a daily basis.
The US is #15 on the Quality of Life Index, beating out the UK, Japan, and Singapore — and it can be seen in the job opportunities and education for many, even in income.
Avalynn Kim is a Korean-born motion graphic designer in the US. Source: Avalynn Kim
Motion graphic designer Avalynn Kim is a great example. “I wanted to work in the art scene, and studying in the US meant I would have more opportunities to be an artist,” said Kim.
Today, her award-winning graphic design work has helped her secure an O-1B visa — a temporary US work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television industries.
However, for PhD graduate and ocean engineer Richards Sunny, on top of the job opportunities available in the US, it was the ranking of universities and the financial aspect that made him choose the US.
“The ranking for Texas A&M University was great, and it was cheaper to live in the US than in Europe,” said Sunny in an interview with Study International. “While I’m not earning what I should be, I’m still getting 10 times as much as I would back in India.”
So, it’s not strange that the Institute of International Education reported that over 1.1 million international students were pursuing their higher education in the US in the 2023-2024 academic year.
However, despite all the glamorous prospects, there are other things you might have missed and need to think hard about before studying in the US, and these international students are here to give you a heads-up.
Things I wish I knew before studying in the US
Lee Wei Lun is one of the two Malaysian students who defied the low acceptance rate at Yale University in 2024, one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Source: Lee Wei Lun
1. Lee Wei Lun
Degree: BSc in Economics with a double major in Statistics and Data Science
University: Yale University
A lot of Asian international students are understandably afraid of studying in the US [due to how often we hear about the violence] and racism. But after living in the US for a bit, I urge everyone to understand that the nature of mainstream media prefers putting negative news under a microscope, as it’ll catch a lot of attention.
Besides, the US is a big country, meaning the states of the cities differ greatly. Some cities, like Boston, are very safe and have few signs of racism, while others are more dangerous.
If you’re worried about studying here, you can look for safe US cities and apply to universities there. You may even end up in a city safer than your home city.
Sarah Jamil graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Source: Sarah Jamil
2. Sarah Jamil
Degree: BA in Journalism and Mass Communication
University: Drake University
I wish I’d learnt how to manage my finances better before studying in the US.
I didn’t have much to my name, and living in the US is not cheap. Things like meal prepping, thrifting, and budgeting would come in handy — these are good things to practice if you want to save money.
Also, I never believed in the American dream, but I think it’s something people should acknowledge and know about before moving to the US. Studying and living in the US is ultimately what you make of it.
Most universities aren’t located in the big, busy cities like Los Angeles or New York; most are in sleepy towns — it’s nothing like the movies we watched growing up, but it can still be just as good, as long as you choose to live good.
3. Richards C. Sunny
Degree: MSc and PhD in Ocean Engineering
University: Texas A&M University
The restrictions that international students will face when looking for a job in government organisations like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is something I wish I had known before studying in the US.
I work for a private agency that subleases contractors to government organisations. As a foreign national, I can’t work directly with them, and that means that I’ll be earning lower pay and I’ll have low chances of getting a promotion and have little to no job security.
I’m earning less than those who have less experience than me. Even after years of working, you don’t get the same benefits as a local working full-time for the government. You’re a contractor; it’s different.
Mohammed Wasim is an MS in Data Science graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology and is currently a Senior Data Insights Analyst. Source: Mohammed Wasim
4. Mohammed Wasim
Degree: MSc in Data Science
University: Illinois Institute of Technology
The one thing I feel like I wish I had known — and I know others may neglect — is doing my research early. It’s best to start early because it will give you time to prepare.
I should have looked into what the universities had to offer, what research opportunities are available, how the university has helped their alumni, or even if there are any career fairs available for students to participate in.
That’s not all; the US is expensive. I wish I had looked for more scholarships, assistantships, or part-time jobs to help me ease the burden.
Oreoluwa Alade is a Nigerian PhD candidate in Physics at North Dakota State University, focusing on computational modelling, AI, and predictive analytics. Source: Oreoluwa Alade
5. Oreoluwa Alade
Degree: PhD in Physics
University: North Dakota State University
I wish I knew to do more research — not researching about the university, but doing the research for my programme.
Before moving to the US, I never had any exposure to conducting academic research. During my undergraduate studies, we tried our best to pass the class. My friends and I were putting things together and submitting them, hoping for the best. Thankfully, we got A’s.
However, as soon as I started my PhD in the US, I realised whatever I had learnt back home wasn’t actually about research.
I struggled a lot; I even had difficulty reading research papers and connecting with my professors.
Desmond Loh (right) graduated from California State University, Northridge, where he worked as a producer on his student thesis film. Source: Desmond Loh
6. Desmond Loh Qi Hong
Degree: BA in Cinematography and Film/Video Production
University: California State University, Northridge
I wish I had known how slow-paced people are in Northridge, Los Angeles, US.
I was in New York and I was like, “Damn, everybody here is so quick and efficient, but where my university is located, everyone’s slow.”
That’s not all; the quality of life isn’t the best either — take rent and tax as an example. Coming from Malaysia, I think the quality of life is slightly higher, like with cheaper rent.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all that bad; people at my university are more down-to-earth, and I have a lot of good friends here. They do not have an ego, and we all share the same financial struggles.
