Experience of studying abroad and working as a doctor in the United States

Experience of studying abroad and working as a doctor in the United States

Are you looking for American doctoral study experience? The following is my experience of studying and working during my doctoral studies in the United States for your reference only.

It takes at least five years to study for a doctorate in the United States. If you study at your own expense, I'm afraid many people can't afford such expensive tuition. Below, I repost the information of a student who is studying for a doctorate in education at clermont Graduate University in California, and how he earned tuition or living expenses, hoping to help more students achieve a doctorate in the United States.

At that time, I-20 (visa form for foreign non-immigrant students) indicated that my first year's study and living expenses were $39,665,438+06. It includes tuition and fees of $24 196, living expenses of $0/3920 and books of $0/500.

In the first school year, my economy basically came from the following aspects:

1. Scholarships provided by the school. The grant is equivalent to half of the tuition fee, that is, $ 12098 per year.

2. Personal savings and family support. Excluding 12098 dollars in the total cost, I need to show at least 275 18 dollars (equivalent to about 220,000 yuan) to the consulate. After working for 4 years, I have a little savings. With the support of my parents, I quickly got rid of the travel expenses. After successfully getting the visa, I embarked on the road of studying.

3. Working on campus. Campus work can be roughly divided into the following three types: teaching assistant, research assistant and other administrative work. During my second month in America, my tutor arranged a research assistant position for me. Work per week 15-20 hours, 20 dollars per hour. In this way, there is a fixed income of 1200 every month.

Although California is famous for its high consumption. In fact, in the first year, except for the fixed tuition fee of $ 12098, other expenses were much less than expected. The room rate is about $250 per month (three students share a room, one room and one living room, provided by the school). School accommodation can save on car, gasoline and other transportation costs. The monthly living expenses are about $200. American books are very expensive. Mainly to buy second-hand books and borrow books from the library. The book cost me about 200 dollars. By the end of the first school year, I had saved and brought $20,000. I bought a second-hand Honda from a Korean graduate student for $4,000. From now on, I can be regarded as the owner of the car. When I go to the supermarket to buy things, I don't have to bother other students to bring me vegetables, but I can also help freshmen in turn.

Financial resources for the second school year in the United States

In the second year, the tuition increased by 5%, and the department continued to give half of the grants, so the tuition itself cost $ 12703. Working on campus every month is still the same. In addition, there is a new way to make money, that is, to work outside school.

In the summer of 2008, I found a part-time job in Huntington Library with an hourly salary of $25. The tutor is very interesting and helps me with all the legal procedures for off-campus work. Three months in a summer, I earned 4000 dollars, and I earned my car money back.

In the second academic year, the average monthly part-time job inside and outside the school is about $65,438+0,500. With my own transportation, I moved out of the school dormitory and shared an apartment with another classmate outside the campus. With my own room, the living environment has been greatly improved. At this time, the average monthly expenditure is about 800 dollars: 500 dollars for room, 200 dollars for living expenses, 100 dollars for fuel and others. In this winter vacation, I also drove around the west with some friends for two weeks. By the end of the second school year, the after-tax bank account is shown as12,000 USD. (I didn't understand the system in the first year, and I didn't pay taxes in a daze. )

In addition, the doctoral degree in our school requires 72 credits, namely 18 course. I took 48 credits in the first two years. As I have a master's degree in China, the department agreed to transfer 24 credits. Haha, so I finished all the credits and saved $65,438+02,000 in disguise.

The third and fourth school years

Since the third school year, my study has mainly passed four qualification examinations. Just pay the registration fee, tuition and fees and insurance for two semesters every year. The cost is about $3000 a year. The biggest tuition burden is gone, and I suddenly feel relaxed.

Research funding application: In the third academic year, the research funding for tutors is tight. If you want to continue studying this subject and become a research assistant, you need to find your own funds. I remember that all the rich alumni who were seated at the annual meeting of the department donated money to the department. Should we ask him for help? My tutor is very encouraging of my ideas. So when I got back, I worked hard and wrote a funding application. Three months later, a grant of $65,438+00,000 was received. The economic crisis has eased.

So far, I have studied and lived in America for four years. School is over, and I'm preparing my thesis defense. I think the first two years are the hardest. Two years later, I became familiar with the environment and had more opportunities. I have seen some students working hard in the restaurant; Some students also won the full prize, so they don't worry about frequent business trips. Some students don't have to worry about it. Dad pays for it. Benevolent people have different opinions, and wise people see wisdom; When the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, they all showed their magical power. But I still feel lucky.

[1]. The English name of the grant is Fellowship or Assistance. Mainly awarded to students with financial difficulties. Now, in order to compete for good students, schools also give scholarships to outstanding students in all aspects.

To study in the United States, you only need to prove to the consulate that you have enough expenses for the first year. You don't need to show all the expenses required for four or six years in the United States.

[3]. It is legal for international students to work on campus, but they can't work more than 20 hours a week at ordinary times, and they can work up to 40 hours a week in winter and summer vacations.

[4]. Teaching assistants generally help undergraduates to correct their homework, give tutoring after class, and help teachers copy.

[5]. The research assistant usually helps the tutor to do his research project, and the salary is paid from the project fund applied by the tutor.

[6]. For example, helping in the library.

[7]. American immigration law stipulates that it is illegal for international students to work outside the campus unless there are justified reasons. Justification means that off-campus work must be closely related to your major, and sometimes off-campus work can be used as credits. In order to prove the legality of off-campus work, it is necessary for the department or tutor to sign the work application form, and then the international student coordinator will input the form into the work file of the Immigration Bureau. In this way, your new I-20 form shows that you can work in a designated off-campus unit within a certain period of time.

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