Whether you are eager to pursue a degree full-time in the US or simply study at a US college for a semester, there are plenty of great schools that accept international students such as yourself with open arms.

To give you an idea of what schools to consider, here is a list of the US colleges that hosted the most international students in the 2010/2011 school year, according to recent numbers released by the Institute of International Education.

Pros of attending one of these colleges:

Colleges that host a large number of international students will likely be well equipped to respond to the unique needs of international students studying in the US. Big schools such as those listed above tend to have entire offices dedicated to providing services for international students, with expert advisers on staff to assist you with things like visa issues, adapting to life in the US, finding housing and determining what classes to take.

You may also feel more comfortable and find it easier to fit in at one of the colleges above due to the large size of the international student population. With so many international students, there will be plenty of others around who understand exactly what you are going through. You may also find US college students to be more open, welcoming and receptive at these schools, as they will be more used to interacting with students of various international backgrounds.

Cons of attending one of these colleges:

The schools have large populations of both international students and US college students. It’s possible that you may not get as much personalized attention as you would like.

Classes will likely be much bigger and you may not get to know your professors as well; international student advisers might be spread a bit too thin to give you all the individual attention you might receive at a smaller school; and it may take a bit longer to find your niche. In addition, the fact that many of these schools are located in big cities may be a bit overwhelming for an international student coming to the US for the first time.

Though you may be one of the only international students at a smaller college, you will likely receive more personal attention. Also, you may find it easier to meet and make friends with students from the US.

Whether you decide to apply to one of the colleges listed above or a smaller college of your choice, studying in the US is a rewarding experience. International students who study in the US, regardless of the college, will likely come out of the experience more worldly, well-rounded individuals with a better grasp of the English language, a more complete understanding of US culture and new friends that last a lifetime.

Today’s post is by campus correspondent Julia Byrd,

There is no reverse about it, really. It’s just plain old culture shock, and it’s kind of fun. I know that might seem a little strange since it doesn’t sound like a particularly inviting phrase, but there are definitely some good things about it  — in addition to the bad, of course.

The Inside Jokes

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. You will desperately miss your friends from abroad.

Luckily, one of my best friends from abroad happens to live 15 miles from my house in New Jersey, so I get to see him regularly, but I still miss the rest of my crew.

Studying abroad is a rather stressful experience, so people tend to form incredibly deep friendships incredibly fast, and being torn apart from your new close friends is difficult to say the least.

You’ll be using all your inside jokes and thinking of funny things to tell them consistently, and your friends from home are going to be looking at you like you’re crazy when you ask them if they want big brownies when you’re offering them a regular brownie … but maybe that’s just me.

The Cure

Text your friends to tell them these funny moments that no one else would understand. It’s a great way to keep in touch, and I’m sure they’ve been having similar experiences, too!

Don’t worry if your friends from home don’t understand or don’t think it’s funny. Certain things are just hard to share with people who haven’t experienced the same things as you. You’ll have a whole new set of inside jokes with your friends from home soon enough, so enjoy the old ones while you still can!

That Luscious Foreign Grass

One of the interesting things that I’ve noticed is that the grass is always greener in the foreign country thousands of miles away.

While I was in Russia, I disliked the general lawlessness that that particular country exudes. It was scary to see absolutely no consequences for people’s actions, but at the same time, that gives everyone there a type of freedom that we don’t have in fully developed countries.

One would think that coming back to the land of liberty, I wouldn’t miss “freedom,” but it’s a type of freedom that a fully developed nation based on puritanical order could never understand.

Granted, I will not miss having to make sure that I always have some bribe money on me just in case a militia officer stops me, but I will admit it was wildly fun to run about the city, climbing trees and having impromptu snowball fights with total strangers.

The Cure

Well, there’s no real cure for this one since it’s both good and bad at the same time. It’s not fun to miss a certain lifestyle, but it’s nice to look back on things that I once disapproved of and actually enjoy now.

Instincts

Culture shock is not all about missing things, though that certainly is a large portion of it. One of the other categories I would call “instincts.”

We are trained to do certain things, and we all have customary habits and standards for politeness, though these things naturally differ from country to country. This leads to some bewildering experiences abroad when you can’t understand why the old woman behind the counter can’t break your 100 ruble (~$3) note.

When you’re abroad, people can understand your confused reactions, since you are a foreigner and might not understand. However, when you come back to the US, speak perfect American English (maybe with a slight accent after being abroad for so long), and you forget to leave a tip at a restaurant, people think you’re either nuts or just mean because you should know the local norms. Never mind the fact that you haven’t been living with those customs for months and have totally forgotten that America is any different.

The Cure

Just laugh (and occasionally apologize)! People are going to give you funny looks if you go to bow when they extend their hand as my brother did for months after getting back from Japan. But it’s not that big of a deal, and it makes for a good story, which you can then share with your friends abroad!

Before you know it, you’ll be a full-blooded American again, so enjoy the bits of the other culture that are still inside you while you can.

Julia Byrd is a junior at The George Washington University who studied abroad at St. Petersburg State University in Russia. She is double majoring in Russian Language and Literature and Environmental Studies and plans to go to graduate school, though she is unsure what kind. Her interests include yoga, movies, and finding warm places to travel to whenever possible.

Identity theft can happen to anyone, even international students who are issued a Social Security number when they are in the US.

Watch our video to learn 3 things you can do to reduce that risk.

Image by Matt H. Wade.

It’s tax season, and college students and international students are not exempt from it.

Consider it yet another initiation into the wonderful world of adulthood. Every year on April 15 (or 18, as it is this year thanks to the holiday Emancipation Day), you will have to file your taxes.

If you’re downright terrified, it’s okay. We’re here to calm your fears! We’re no IRS or TurboTax, but we can give you some answers to FAQs by college students confronted with taxes:

What should I do first?

Call your parents. They’ve been paying their taxes for years (I hope!), so they are a great resource. Also, if they are paying for more than half of your living expenses (which, unless you have a very generous income, they almost certainly are), then they can claim you as a dependent. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to file taxes, but it does make things easier.

Do I even have to pay taxes this year?

If you meet any of these requirements, you must file taxes:

1. You earned wages or tips, or did freelance work.

2. You were paid under the table to an amount of $400 or greater.

3. You used scholarship, fellowship, or grant funds to pay for something other than tuition and required textbooks (i.e. meal plan, dorm room, etc.).

4. You are an international student.

I meet one/some/all of those requirements. What now?

Figure out what forms you need to fill out. The IRS actually has a great site for helping college students understand the tax system and determine which forms are right for them. But here is a preliminary outline of forms you’ll probably need to complete:

• If you meet requirements 1-3, you will most likely need to fill out form 1040, but check to make sure. Do not fill out form 1040-EZ unless you are 100 percent  sure you are not a dependent.

• If you meet requirement 4, you need to fill out form 8843 whether or not you’ve earned money in the US. If you do work, you may need to fill out form 1040NR, as well. But there are a number of other forms to complete depending on your status, so please research exactly what you need to do.

Do I get any deductions?

There are programs that can give you tax credit based on your college tuition. Talk to your parents and see if Hope Scholarship Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, or higher education expenses deductions fit your situation.

I can submit my taxes electronically, right?

Possibly — it depends on the form. So don’t wait until the last minute because you’re assuming it can be done online. Check ahead of time — like right now!

I’m still confused about what I need to submit! What should I do?

See if your college has resources to help you with your taxes, such as seminars or volunteer tax help services. You can also check with your career services office or the international office (if you’re an international student). If you still can’t seem to find any help, consider a local tax accountant.

It’s a stressful time of year for everyone. College students: you’re not alone! At least the IRS seems to ease you into it – the forms you have to fill out are nothing compared to your parents’ forms. So even if you have to take some time, review your earnings, and fill out some boring forms, being a college student is still one of the best things to be during tax season!

For international students who have just learned English, idioms may not only sound odd, but also feel completely inaccessible. But learning even just a handful can help you socialize and engage in conversations with the new people you meet!

In today’s video blog, I’ve compiled a list of common American English idioms that people use daily. With a bonus idiom-related anecdote of my own at the end of the video, this one is sure to have you laughing!

Living with an American roommate has many perks.

Needless to say, your English skills can drastically improve through daily speaking experience. But more importantly, you’ll be introduced to a whole world of speech that you can’t learn in class — idioms, slang and mannerisms.

Your roommate also can help you find your way around, get the best cup of coffee or discover the cheapest grocery store in town — important things you’ll want to know about your new city.

In today’s video, find out the many ways in which an American roommate is the best choice for an international student.

6. Boulder, Colorado

Located in the foothills of the Rockies, this college town is perfect if you’re into outdoor activities. The University of Colorado is surrounded by more than 36,000 acres of recreational open space, conservation easements and nature preserves. So if you’re into rock climbing, this is the ideal spot for you!

5. Chicago, Illinois

While Chicago isn’t usually considered a college town, it sure packs a punch for students of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Loaded with extracurricular activities for all sorts of interest groups, the windy city is the place to be. With a rich variety of art museums, concert venues and restaurants, you’ll never be bored in Chicago.

4. Athens, Georgia

Nothing beats the music scene in University of Georgia’s hometown. R.E.M., the B-52s and Widespread Panic got their start here, which often makes people credit this college town as the birthplace of New Age. Also, with acres of lush gardens (for the gardener in you!), and with all the groups, clubs and sports teams life on campus has to offer, Athens has got it all.

3. Austin, Texas

People say that everything is bigger in Texas, and perhaps this is true! The Capitol building, just a mile away from the University of Texas at Austin, is the biggest in the country. Football is bigger, too — the following of the UT Longhorns is almost a religion. Austin is also home to North America’s largest and best-known colony of urban bats, which like to hang out under the Congress Avenue Bridge downtown. Talk about a diverse college town!

2. San Diego, California

It’s both a blessing and a curse for students of San Diego State University, the University of California, San Diego, and other colleges in the area, to be in such close proximity to the gorgeous sandy beaches in the city. But they must be doing something right — the U.S. Census Bureau ranks San Diego at No. 9 in its listing of the most educated cities. Perhaps all that sun, surfing and salty air of this college town is good for the brain!

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

It’s simple — the Big Easy is a culinary paradise. So if boiled crawfish, beignets, gumbo, po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya, and Cajun shrimp make your mouth water, the home of Tulane University is the college town for you. And did we forget to mention Mardi Gras? In the heart of the French Quarter, you’ve never been to a party like it. With great food and great parties, New Orleans tops our charts for the best college town!

No matter which college town you decide on, it’s important to consider life off campus as one of the factors in your decision-making process. No matter what you’re into, there’s a perfect college town out there for you!

According to the annual Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education, universities are increasing their recruitment efforts for international students in the US, and it’s working!

The 2008/2009 academic year saw an 8% increase in the number of international students in US colleges and universities, reaching a record high of 671,616. This marks the biggest jump in international student enrollments since 1980/81.

With avid promotion of the benefits of higher education in America by the Department of State, the number of international students in the US will only keep rising. There are more than 400 EducationUSA advising centers throughout the world that help match international students in US schools that best meet their needs.

With the growing number of international applicants, support for international students in the US is also on the rise.

Private scholarships, though generally dwindling in the current economy, have not disappeared for international students in the US. Simply put, since there is limited financial aid available to international students in US schools, scholarships are a great way to promote studying in the United States.

In fact, ULS is offering its own scholarship to help international students fund their students in the US!

Countries With the Most International Students in the US

India: 103,260

China: 98,510

South Korea: 75,065

Canada: 29,697

Japan: 29,264

Taiwan: 28,065

Mexico: 14,850

For international students in the workplace, however, many of these English idioms are gibberish. What is a “dog-eat-dog” industry, for instance? Or a store that charges “an arm and a leg”?

Money — its lack, extravagance, necessity — is the root of most English idioms such as these. To “make a killing,” for example, is to pull in a large profit. To “make ends meet” is to do something for extra income: a part-time job, freelance work, a yard sale.

If you’re not making a killing, you may have to become a “penny pincher” or (worse) a “tightwad;” the former is a frugal person, the latter a stingy one. If your bankroll is fat enough, however, you can afford to live “high on the hog,” i.e in luxury.

Even people living high on the hog are likely to bemoan “highway robbery” once in a while; if you’ve ever bought something at inflated prices – a hundred dollar postcard, say – you’ve been a victim of highway robbery, according to the English idiom.

These kinds of cons are “a dime a dozen” (meaning common), so be on your guard. And bargains are often anything but; that cabbie who moonlights as a plastic surgeon might seem like a sweet deal, but remember: “you get what you pay for” (the English idiom warns that if you invest in unreliable services or products and they’ll inevitably disappoint).

When considering a dubious purchase, it’s probably best to “take a rain check,” that is, reserve the item for later pick-up. Impulse shopping is satisfying in the moment, but once you’re home and surrounded by “everything but the kitchen sink” (the English idiom meaning a lot of unnecessary stuff), you’re sure to feel a bit queasy.

After baseball, money is America’s national pastime: making it, spending it and, above all, talking about it. These English idioms offer a great introduction to American English, so use them freely.

In other words: “go for broke” (risk everything).

Want to learn some more English idioms? Read about idioms on college campuses, travel idioms, and American slang words!

*Note: A “dog-eat-dog” enterprise is one that’s competitive and aggressive. An “arm and a leg” is charging or paying a large sum of money.

Mom and Dad might say it’s OK to bring your dirty laundry home when you visit for the weekend, but doing your laundry on your own is an easy way to assert a little independence and prove to your parents that you’re doing fine on your own.

But pink socks will prove nothing of the kind! Follow these 7 steps for cleaner clothes:

1. Buy your laundry supplies.

You will need:

• detergent
• dryer sheets
• a laundry basket or laundry bag

Before starting college, I bought a sturdy laundry basket divided into two sections. That’s convenient because you can either put your clothes on one side and supplies in the other, or separate or lights and darks before you even step foot in the laundry room. Speaking of which …

2. Separate your laundry.

You can separate your laundry multiple ways, but you can basically get away with four loads: whites/lights, darks, delicates and towels/jeans/bedding.

There is some overlap. For example, you could wash a gray shirt with either the lights or darks, or you could throw your bedding in with a small load of lights or darks (depending on the size and color of your sheets).

Just never ever toss a new dark red or purple shirt in with the whites. I don’t think I need to tell you the results! In fact, you may want to wash it separately once or twice to make sure it won’t bleed.

3. Pick the right time.

Early bird? Night owl? Doing your laundry when other college students are sleeping is often the quickest way to get it done.

The top floor of my college dorm was filled with washers and dryers, and by doing my laundry when others weren’t I could finish two or three loads at the same time instead of waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Choosing the right time may be a requirement rather than a suggestion. Dorms with a limited number of washers and dryers may require students to sign up for certain times. Living off-campus? Not all laundromats are open 24-hours!

4. Collect quarters.

Sorry. Doing your laundry isn’t free anymore. Set aside a bag or container to collect your quarters everyday, and stuff it into your laundry basket before you do the wash. If the laundry room has a coin machine, keep a few crisp dollar bills with you just in case you need a little extra.

5. Choose the correct laundry settings.

All of those buttons and knobs! If this is your first time doing your laundry in college, the washer and dryer may seem only slightly less complicated than your calculus homework.

Not to worry.

First, check the tags on your clothing for any special cleaning instruction. Some items may need to be hand-washed or dry cleaned.

Then choose the water temperature:

• hot for whites, linens and towels
• cold for anything you don’t want to shrink or fade (including any whites that fall into this category
• warm for everything else

Next, choose the size of your load, if that is an option. If you are unsure if your load is a small or a large, choose the bigger size to make sure the load will get enough water.

After about a half-hour, it’ll be time for the dryer. Choose the setting that best describes your clothing. Not sure? Choose “normal.”

You’ll likely pay for the dryer by the minute (my laundromat offers 8 minutes of drying time for a quarter). Put too few quarters in, and you’ll wind up with damp, wrinkly clothes. Too many, and you’ll have hot, shrunken clothes. Drying times will be different depending on the type of material and the size of your load, so check on your clothing as the time winds down.

And remember: NEVER put wool or anything you don’t want to shrink in the dryer!

6. Fold your laundry immediately.

Unless you want to look like you rolled out of bed 24-7, put away your clothes as soon as your done doing the laundry. Keeping them in a big heap may be convenient, but it’s also the easiest way to make sure each and every piece of clothing you have is wrinkled beyond repair.

7. Invest in an iron and small ironing board.

Did you skip tip #6?

Get out your iron and ironing board.

I know that space is at a premium, but a small tabletop ironing board can easily slip under your bed. And even if Mom and Dad do end up doing your laundry in college, chances are they won’t be on hand before your big job interview … or your big date.

No one said doing your laundry in college was fun, but if you can juggle a full-time class schedule, a couple of on-campus extracurricular activities and even a part-time job as a student, you certainly can handle a few loads of laundry.