American universities have different schedule of class opening. Some open January, others in February or September and some open in October. For instance, those students who are planning to start classes in September or October should be preparing at least a month before the specified date since the visa application is also quite tough to obtain. Although some students feel very anxious about applying for the visa, some feel relaxed and think that obtaining the visa is just a simple work.

    It must be understood that countries around the world have different policies and requirements in applying for the visa. Generally, foreigners who wish to enter a particular country must meet the medical and health requirements. Those who have transferable diseases are of course, prohibited to enter. For example, in China, those who suffer from the three internationally recognized contagious diseases namely plague, cholera, and yellow fever are never granted entry to the country. However, those who suffer from AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, leprosy, mental illness and tuberculosis may be allowed to enter but on a case to cases basis. Therefore, students who have such as the aforementioned diseases must forget studying abroad for the meantime until such time that the disease is cured. The medical requirements is very essential in going abroad yet is usually neglected. Students must also study the climate condition and the natural environment characteristics of the country they are going to. It is also advisable that students must be familiarized with the food and drinking water resources, sanitary conditions, certain infectious diseases, fashion trends, and habits so that the student will not suffer the so called culture shock. In conclusion, students who plan to study abroad must seek professional medical advice about the country of destination.

Baggages are generally divided into two: living supplies and the other is school supplies. Basically, living supplies in different countries are the same, however, the climate conditions and the environmental features are also major factors to be considered.

Personal supplies normally include: seasonal jackets, socks, gloves, scarves, hats, single-shirt, sport, leisure shirt, jeans, pajamas, underwear, pants, shoes, sports shoes, slippers, a formal suit, short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, caps, sunglasses, belts, swimwear, alarm clocks, batteries, chargers, a small telephone switch socket and transformers, thin quilts, linens / bedspread and bathroom supplies, nail clippers, razors and a number of emergency medicine. You may also include in the list your digital, mobile phones, MP3, etc. If you rent out an apartment, you may bring also your kitchen utensils and supplies.

School supplies include: notebook computer (recommended), diskettes, CD-ROM burners, various Chinese software, such as: window system, word, and Photoshop; two dozen pencils (2B and HB), rubber band, a number of pen, Waterborne T (signature T), some splashed, electronic dictionaries and a separate calculator, a number of folders, bags, glasses, feet, small scissors, box cutters, etc.

    Students who plan to study abroad must be psychologically prepared. The following must be clearly understood by the student:

1. The student who goes abroad for study must have a clear purpose.
   Parents and teachers must not force or even influence the students’ decision to take a major, which is not of his/her interest. Parents must help their children understand the advantages and pitfalls of a certain decision and must respect whatever decision their children have made.

2. Homesickness and emotional loneliness.
   Loneliness is the main language barrier that causes problems among foreign students. Students would surely miss their home, and their friends. They would also find it very difficult to communicate with their new classmates and friends. However, there are many ways to overcome loneliness and homesickness. Among others are going out for pleasure tripping, walking around the city or just focus attention to study and research.

3. Frustration and psychological pressure.
   Lack of self-confidence is one of the factors that affect students’ academic performance. But the worst problem that a student would encounter is the weak ability of the student to handle psychological pressure. Students who have poor ability to face psychological pressure usually result to exaggeration of difficulties, despair, frustrations, and extreme anxiety that would lead to nervous breakdown. It is therefore advised that students must prepare themselves to such situations in the future. Before going abroad, they must train themselves to become self-reliant in order for them to be easily adapted to any new environment.

Before leaving for the United States, the students must familiarized themselves with the two countries regional culture, history, lifestyle and so on and must be able to know the difference and how to adapt into such differences. Psychological maturity is necessary to be able to overcome any problem abroad. Actually, understanding is the most prerequisite for any student going abroad. The student must know the country’s fundamental facts about history and culture.

  Before boarding the plane, you must have already checked your documents such as admission letter, China’s passports, plane tickets, money orders, traveler's checks or other proof of financial resources like small banknotes and other important documents, such as health certificates. Secondly, check in your luggage with complete information tagged on it.

Airline services record the names of luggage owners for future inquiries .
It must be understood that different airlines have different baggage specifications. Therefore, the students must be familiarized with the airline baggage specification to avoid excess baggage. Singapore Airlines for example, provides for a shipment of 30 kilograms of luggage + 8 kilograms of hand luggage; Air Canada provides for the two consignments suitcase + 32 kg baggage and 11 kilograms for hand carry luggage.

Before going abroad, make sure that you are financially stable and convenient to withdraw anytime the need arises. The bank where you deposited must be accessed anywhere tough a visa or other electronic means. But such access is not for free. Corresponding service fees will be charged. Therefore, for students, it is advisable to use cash or traveler’s checks.

Traveler's checks also called the credit cards are like special cash, produced with sophistication and high security. These checks can be purchased from your own bank or through an agency. The dollar denomination checks are $ 20, $ 50, $ 100, $ 500 and $ 1,000. There are two columns in the checked to be signed. The first column should where the payer sign while the second column is where the payee signs.

In the United States, you can use either the cash or the traveler’s check as means of paying bills in shopping, dining, pay insurance and so on. The only difference is that, credit cards is safer than the cash because once it is lost or stolen, you can report it and withdraw your deposit though cash. (of course you have to indicate you PIN)

You can now buy American Express credit card from the Bank of China. A service fee of 1% shall be charged when using it to pay RMB bills. But when you are using the American Express in the United States, no service fee shall be charged of you.

Reminder: Once you purchase a credit card, you must check and record all numbers. The invoice is also very important especially for refunding purposes.