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Who is Teacher Joe?
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Living Abroad - Key Issues
1. Accomodations - Where are you going to stay?
For the first term or even for the first year, it may be better
to live in a dormitory on campus. That way, you'll easily meet other
students and be close to your classes.
After the first term, you may want to try living "off campus". By
living off campus, you will learn much more about ordinary American
life.
The easiest way to find an apartment in the U.S. is through the
newspaper. Look in the back of the newspaper for the "classified ads".
Call some of the numbers for more information, then go and visit the
ones that seem interesting to you.
When you get an apartment, you will have to pay the first month's
rent as well as a one-month "security deposit". If you do no damage
to the apartment during your stay, you will get ALL of that deposit
back when you move out.
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2. Money Matters - Banking Accounts and Prices
When you first arrive in the U.S., walk around various shops just
to get used to the prices. Compare all kinds of goods with the prices
in your hometown, even if you don't plan to buy anything. Doing this
will help you make intelligent purchases in the future.
If you can, open an account with a local "savings bank". Such a bank
will be able to provide you with a cash card but will be less likely
to charge you extra fees.
Keep track (write down) what you spend every day. After a couple of
weeks, you will be able to make a budget (a financial plan) to make sure
you have no problems during your stay.
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3. Customs -
See Teacher Joe's Culture Page to learn more about life in the United States. If there's a topic you want to know about, just ask Joe!
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Joe with some of his Super Students
at the top of Xiang Shan, west of Beijing
Super Students from
Jing Shan School in Beijing
"Professor" Joe
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