This week, in our Foreign Student Series, we discuss the first steps to studying in the United States.
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There are more than four hundred of these offices around the world. In Taiwan, you can find the EducationUSA Advising Centers at this website: www.EducationUSA.org.tw
Step two is to start gathering information about the different choices in higher education programs in the United States.
Some schools, for example, offer one-year certificate programs. These are in subjects like computer programming, public relations and administrative work.
Junior or community colleges offer a two-year associate degree. These programs can prepare students for skilled jobs. Or, if students want to continue their education, many universities accept this work as the first two years toward a bachelor's degree.
To get a bachelor's degree, students traditionally take general subjects during the first two years. These include areas like history, literature, mathematics and science. After that they take classes in their major area of study.
At the graduate school level, a master's degree can take up to three years to complete. A doctorate can take four to six years. But some medical specialties, for example, require years more of study.
Whatever you choose, educational advisers say you should begin to plan at least two years before you want to start classes in the United States.
The address of the State Department Web site for international students is educationusa.state.gov
Next week, the subject is the difference between a college and a university.
