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Moving to USA from UK to go University

Hi,

I am currently studying a 2 year Computing course in England, and all my life have had two ambitions. Those are 1) to become a Web Designer/Developer or have some sort of job in IT and 2) to move to America.

I have a done a bit of research, but I don't know barely anything. So I guess you have to start somewhere!

What I would like to know is what kind of university courses I should be looking at, and also what university to actually go to? For health reasons, living in a hot part of America would be extremely beneficial (part of the reason why I want to move there, but mainly I would like to move there because of the life style and people) - so I was looking at universities in Florida (the only place in America I have actually visited, to this date)?

If I find a university and a course, and apply, is it true I will be able to get some sort of permit (visa?) to live there whilst studying?

Like I say, this is my starting point and I'm probably being a bit naive right now. I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me any information!

- Oli

OP

Bump, anybody?

oliverash

Hi,

I am currently studying a 2 year Computing course in England, and all my life have had two ambitions. Those are 1) to become a Web Designer/Developer or have some sort of job in IT and 2) to move to America.

I have a done a bit of research, but I don't know barely anything. So I guess you have to start somewhere!

What I would like to know is what kind of university courses I should be looking at, and also what university to actually go to? For health reasons, living in a hot part of America would be extremely beneficial (part of the reason why I want to move there, but mainly I would like to move there because of the life style and people) - so I was looking at universities in Florida (the only place in America I have actually visited, to this date)?

If I find a university and a course, and apply, is it true I will be able to get some sort of permit (visa?) to live there whilst studying?

Like I say, this is my starting point and I'm probably being a bit naive right now. I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me any information!

- Oli

Otherstates you can look at are California, Arizona and Texas. :smile:

Reply 3

oliverash

OP

2

Bismarck

Of course you can live in the US while studying there. How else would you be able to study? The problem starts when you finish your education. Unless you're able to secure a special visa and a company to work with, you'll have to leave shortly after getting your degree.

Is this difficult, to secure a 'special visa'? Does this just require finding work there?

Reply 4

oliverash

OP

2

Bismarck

You need a company to sponsor you for a visa. It's usually for specialist jobs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1B_visa

So you'd need a job, have that job be a specialist one, and have the company agree to sponsor you (which costs them money and time).

Woah. It's bloody hard to move there, sounds like you have to be a genius if you want to live there permanently. :|

I'll keep looking into it but sounds like my dreams over already!

Reply 5

burninginme

2

For the period of your degree course in the US you will be granted a Student Visa, which allows you to reside in the US for the duration of your university course, there is no link between studying in the US and permanent residency, or right to apply for a job when you finish. The basic regulation of a Student Visa is that you leave the United States pretty much immediately after you finish your degree.

To apply for a job, your employer will need to sponsor you for a temporary work visa, the H1B, however, this is a lot of messing about for the company and costs them money and as a result they won't even consider it unless you are very highly skilled and have a high amount of work experience (which after just finishing a degree, you will most likely not have). Also, an employer is only allowed to employ a foreign immigrant if there is no American either with the skill or experience to do the job, or if there is no American currently available to do the job - both these scenarios are quite unlikely. The US isn't renowned as having some of the toughest immigration laws in the world for nothing.

Reply 6

UGeNe

14

Are Canadians the only ones who don't need a Visa to go to the U.S.?

Reply 7

SianStrikedown

http://www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/studyus/undergraduate/index.html

Reply 8

Mike_P

1

Not sure about universities. California Tech? Berkeley? These are on the west coast however, but definately offers the climate you want.

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of Swedes who live and work in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley in California, which is supposed to be a fantastic meetingplace for IT/Tech students, grads and employees. New companies and business are appearing there constantly.
Just thought I'd mention :P

Reply 9

queenofdiamonds

1

Berkeley is in the San Francisco bay area ant it isn't exactly warm there. Same with Arizona, make sure you don't go to a school in the high desert, like University of Northern Arizona, as it snows there.

Reply 10

allisfulloflove

3

I go to Northern Arizona University at the moment, I'm on a gap year before I head to the UK for uni, and I figured I'd take some classes for fun.

It isn't THAT bad at NAU, we only had 4 weeks with snow on the ground at this year, and has fluctuated between 45 - 70 for the last few months. It was warm until December and we didn't get our first snow until we came back from winter holiday.

We do have a fantastic computer information systems program at our business school, which is very up and coming and sponsored by a Stanford business grad, William Franke. It is very much computer science but it also focuses on how computing is used in business and certain careers in the business world.

I definitely wouldn't count it out, and the valley is an 1 1/2 away, where it is HOT most of the year, and it is NOT as good as you think. I left for a reason! :] And you'll meet tons of friendly people from the valley who are more then willing to take you down for weekends.

If you REALLY REALLY like it hot, ASU and the U of A are fabulous as well. Arizona has really great schools. It just depends on the weather you like.

Reply 11

LizzieLu

http://littlemissenglish.weebly.com/5/post/2014/03/so-you-want-to-be-a-college-girl.html

Hey! There's a pretty good article about moving to the USA for Uni here :biggrin:

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

If you want to study in florida. There is a law in most university which requires you to have been a resident of that state for at least 12 consecutive months before being accepted as a resident and therefore accepted to study at that university

Reply 13

zero_gravity

18

Original post by Anonymous

If you want to study in florida. There is a law in most university which requires you to have been a resident of that state for at least 12 consecutive months before being accepted as a resident and therefore accepted to study at that university

You know that this thread is over 10 years old right?

Reply 14

Pro11pse

8

Original post by oliverash

Hi,

I am currently studying a 2 year Computing course in England, and all my life have had two ambitions. Those are 1) to become a Web Designer/Developer or have some sort of job in IT and 2) to move to America.

I have a done a bit of research, but I don't know barely anything. So I guess you have to start somewhere!

What I would like to know is what kind of university courses I should be looking at, and also what university to actually go to? For health reasons, living in a hot part of America would be extremely beneficial (part of the reason why I want to move there, but mainly I would like to move there because of the life style and people) - so I was looking at universities in Florida (the only place in America I have actually visited, to this date)?

If I find a university and a course, and apply, is it true I will be able to get some sort of permit (visa?) to live there whilst studying?

Like I say, this is my starting point and I'm probably being a bit naive right now. I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me any information!

- Oli

This is an interesting experience I must say. However, do you have experience with transporting?