Destination USA

The United States of America attracts the most international students of any country in the world. So why is it that nearly 600,000 pupils from every continent of the globe choose to study there?

The USA has a wide variety of institutions specialising in higher education including: state colleges and universities; private colleges and universities; two-year colleges; community colleges; professional schools; institutes of technology; technical institutes; and church related schools. So whether you’re looking to study at one of the world’s most prestigious schools or a smaller specialist institution, you’ll have no shortage of choices.

US universities and colleges may differ from those in your own country in several ways. For one thing, these programs offer a lot of flexibility and personalisation in class selection. This allows you to tailor your degree to your specific interests.

Most university and college students in the USA live on or near campus. On campus you’ll find an array of clubs and sports to join and cultural activities ranging from art exhibitions to concerts, films and plays. With most campuses housing a dedicated International Student Office, support is available from staff who understand the needs of international students.

Community Colleges and 2-year colleges offer students a lower cost option that can be considered comparable to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at a university. They also offer pathways for students that may not meet the academic requirements for direct entry into a US university for a bachelor’s degree. After completion of an Associate’s Degree, students may decide to apply to continue their studies at a university in the USA and may only need to study for 2 additional years to complete an American 4-year bachelors degree.

In addition to a quality education, the USA has a lot to offer the international student: eclectic cities; beautiful natural parks; artistic, cultural, political and athletic events; and a multicultural population.

Although you’ve probably been exposed to the USA through movies, food and music, by living there that you can better understand the US culture. If you are not a native English speaker, it’s also an opportunity to become fluent in English and gain an international edge over other job seekers.

StudyLink works with a range of institutions in the USA including universities, community colleges, specialist institutions and English language schools. We can help you find an institution in the USA that meets your needs, Contact a counsellor.

Don’t miss out on your course of choice: Important deadlines for your application

Australia – Apply now to start in July/August 2007. You should submit your application and supporting documents by mid-April. We encourage you to apply early for best consideration. Keep in mind that you do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

If you have received an offer to start studies in February/March 2007, you should be applying for a student visa and accepting your offer. Specific procedures will depend on your citizenship and the course you will be studying. Contact a counsellor for more details.

US – The main term starts in September 2007 for most institutions. For best consideration and to allow time to apply for a student visa, we encourage you to apply by 20 December.

English language schools and some other institutions allow students to start throughout the year. Application deadlines vary and we encourage you to apply well in advance for best consideration and to allow time to apply for a visa. Keep in mind that you do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Applications are now open for September 2007. For best consideration for September 2007, applications should be submitted by early January 2007. Our counsellors are happy to help you find a course and institution to meet your background and interests. Contact a counsellor to discuss your study plans.

Applying to the USA? Take your TOEFL online

Whether you’re planning to study in the United States or another English-speaking country, you may be required to undertake an English language exam as part of your application.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it’s spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. It’s accepted by 6,000 colleges and universities in more than 100 countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

The TOEFL test can now be taken online. The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) tests your skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English. With Internet-based testing, the Educational Testing Service can capture speech and score responses in a standardised manner.

One of the benefits of the Internet-based Test is that is provides better information to institutions about your ability to communicate in an academic setting and you readiness for academic coursework. Online registration and online score reporting make it easy for you to register for TOEFL iBT and receive your test scores.

To find out more about TOEFL iBT and English language exam requirements for your application, contact a StudyLink counsellor.

Immerse yourself at UCSB

The University of California Santa Barbara’s University Immersion Program (UIP) offers you the chance to experience college life in the US before deciding on your future education.

Through the UIP you can enrol in UCSB academic and/or professional development courses in many different disciplines. Not only do you get to experience US college life, you gain credit which can be transferred to universities around the world.

The Academic Studies option allows you to take up to 12 units of academic courses or a combination of academic and professional development courses that are designed to provide a concentrated course of study in a specific content area.

The Professional Studies option allows you to take a series of professional development courses and gives you the opportunity to study alongside American business professionals and other international students. The courses are taught by practicing American professionals who bring real-world experience to the classroom.

Ibtissem Abadi of Algeria is currently studying the academic studies option. Ibtissem said: “I have made many friends from other countries and the teachers are perfect. Santa Barbara is safe and I feel comfortable going out whenever I want. I love it here.”

UCSB extension offers you a pathway into the US university education system and is located within safe, friendly Santa Barbara — ideally situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For your chance to experience US college life, contact a counsellor.

Trinity College: long history, fresh approach

When you study at Trinity College, you’ll be following in the footsteps of famous writers such as Swift, Goldsmith, Wilde and Beckett, and Ireland's former presidents Douglas Hyde and Mary Robinson.

With an impressive academic record spanning over 400 years, Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the older universities of Western Europe. Despite being grounded in history, the university is progressive and committed to making important contributions to the world in which we live. These days it attracts a large number of international students from over 90 countries, making it an academically and socially exciting multicultural college.

Trinity prides itself on its tradition of personal contact between staff and students. Its 17,000 staff and students form a compact academic community, with several hundred students and a number of staff living on campus. The college houses a range of facilities — dining hall, cafeterias and bars — and offers a varied social life sustained by a host of student societies and sporting clubs.

The campus is set in the heart of Dublin City and is one of Ireland's major tourist attractions. In addition to a beautiful campus and an impressive history, Trinity offers one of Europe’s largest libraries and a highly regarded international faculty and research community.

Dublin has much to offer the international student. With one of the youngest populations of Europe's major cities, Dublin offers a great atmosphere for students. While the city houses a range of fashionable boutiques and upmarket restaurants, it’s also well catered for in second-hand bookshops, street markets, fast food outlets and all kinds of ethnic eateries — many located in the Temple Bar area opposite the front entrance to the College.

Dublin is the hub of the Republic and is within easy reach of the renowned scenic areas of Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway. For vacation travel, few European capitals are more than two hours away by direct flights.

Contact a StudyLink counsellor to find out more about studying at Trinity College.

Perth Institute of Business and Technology could be your choice for fast tracking…

With small class sizes, the opportunity to fast track and the ability to transfer to affiliated Institutes of Business and Technology, PIBT offers several advantages over other tertiary institutions.

PIBT's innovative three-semester system allows you to fast track your studies and complete you course in only eight months. This allows you to enter university earlier than those studying in a conventional two-semester system. You also have additional flexibility with intakes in February, June and October. If you enter at the Diploma Stage I (Certificate IV) level, you can complete this course along with your Diploma Stage II in just four semesters (or 16 months).

The PIBT Diploma programs are accredited as university-level diplomas and international students who successfully finish their diploma program are guaranteed entry to the second year of the relevant bachelor degree.

PIBT lecture groups have a maximum of 50 students — much smaller than the average university. Lectures are complemented by small group tutorials/workshops ensuring you receive the best of attention.

A special program of English and academic studies has been developed for those international students who do not quite satisfy the English language requirement. This course would be undertaken for at least one semester.

PIBT is located on the Churchlands Campus of Edith Cowan University; only 8km from Perth, Western Australia. Being based at the university allows you access to the full range of services and amenities available on the campus, including library, cafes, computing laboratories, and sporting and recreational facilities.

Fast track your studies by contacting a StudyLink counsellor.