US Advising Centers

Looking for information about study and travel in the US? Visit the USIA educational advising centers in your home country. These centers are typically located in the offices of the US Information Service offices, Fulbright Commission or the Institute of International Education.

The Centers provide a lot of information at no cost. They will assist you with information about visas, passports, TOEFL, standardized tests for college admissions, review of application requirements. Reading rooms usually have well-stocked libraries with reference materials about study in the US. Frequently the advisors provide seminars and pre-departure orientation programs.

Smart Student Guide to Studying in the USA

Check out www.edupass.org This web site has lots of helpful information about financing a college education, traveling to the US and learning how to live and study successfully. There is also another section about credentials evaluation and the TOEFL exams.

Language Proficiency Exams

Do you speak a language other than English? If the answer is YES, then you may want to test out of the L-RC core requirement in foreign language by participating in a proficiency exam.

The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) tests in over 30 languages. You take a telephone test that is audio tape recorded and lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. The conversation resembles a natural conversation in the target language and is designed to demonstrate how well you can perform the language in the interview. At this time ACTFL costs $115. Everyone who has taken the test thus far has passed with "flying colors."

A second language test is the FLATS tests designed by Brigham Young University. It costs $30 and is a written exam measuring your ability in reading, grammar and listening. This test, approximately 2 hours in length, is another way you can check to see if your language proficiency will meet the L-RC core curriculum requirement.

Contact OIE staff for more information and an application form. Check out the ACTFL web-site www.languagetesting.com  

Hostelling in North America

Discover the U.S. through hostels – friendly oriented places. Hostels are comfortable, environmentally sensitive places for budget minded travelers to lodge for the night.

You’ll find hostels in cities and towns, national parks and cultural center…just about anywhere you want to visit. From lighthouses and historical homes to ranch bunkhouses, each hostel has a personality of its own. All hostels have dormitory style gender separate accommodations. A copy of the most recent Official Guide to Hostels in Canada and the United States is available in the International House.

For more information check out http://www.hiusa.org

Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels
733 14^th Street NW Suite 840
Washington DC 20005

Campus Organizations

Get involved with volunteer service groups, professional organizations, intramural sports. It's a great way to make friends and meet people. Kim Yeaton, president of the campus chapter of Amnesty International, works with community organizer Hiromi Zimer to raise funds for this human rights organization.