Visa for ESL course

[Visitor]

Salom hammaga!

My younger brother is finishing his bachelore degree in tashkent and he wants to get enrolled one of the us universities to do master. I totally agree with him but I am not quite sure if he can handle study in us university right after tashkent life. At least, I doubt that he won't be able to maintain his academic results as high as he hopes. I was advising him to get enrolled first to ESL and get adapted to US life little bit and the next year to apply to university. After all, we will be investing not small money education and rightly expect him to do well with his study.

But after reading some threads here (which are really informative and practical-thanks for all) i am getting sceptical that he may get F-1 visa just for ESL.
How realistic it is to get F-1 visa to study language?

My second questions is- how useful living in host family? I mean it costs three or 4 times more than other options but ... does it really improve language dramatically in short time?


thanks in advance!

[melo]

Salom hammaga!

My younger brother is finishing his bachelore degree in tashkent and he wants to get enrolled one of the us universities to do master. I totally agree with him but I am not quite sure if he can handle study in us university right after tashkent life. At least, I doubt that he won't be able to maintain his academic results as high as he hopes. I was advising him to get enrolled first to ESL and get adapted to US life little bit and the next year to apply to university. After all, we will be investing not small money education and rightly expect him to do well with his study.

But after reading some threads here (which are really informative and practical-thanks for all) i am getting sceptical that he may get F-1 visa just for ESL.
How realistic it is to get F-1 visa to study language?

My second questions is- how useful living in host family? I mean it costs three or 4 times more than other options but ... does it really improve language dramatically in short time?


thanks in advance!

Why does it cost 3-4 times more to stay with a host family? :shock: I can't believe that it would more expensive than living in a dorm.

Also, whay don't you think he could adjust to living in the US after Tashkent?

[Lolahon]

In most US universities, international students are tested internally before starting the actuall degree studies upon arrival. In your case, no matter how he gets score high or low, the university itself will test his english, in case his english is not good enough they will put him into the ESL course depending on his level. Or if he is so desperate to take the ESL course, than he has to fake his English during the test.

It is hard to get a visa just to study English, it is possible theoritically, but not in reality. Those who got student visas from Uzb. usually apply for Undegraduate or Graduate Schools lately.
I don't think you can not enrol just for ESL course (there are alway exceptions though) and then apply for Graduate School in order to obtain a F-1 visa from Uzb.

Regarding a host family, depends where he is going to study, which university, etc.
It is helpful to live with a host family at the begining for a smooth transition and adjustment especially if someone is coming to US first time; however, he would have more opportunities to live with a host family in Universities, which are located far from Metropolitan areas. I never heard someone living in New York City and living with a host family, including myself.

Regarding cost, depends on the host family, whether food is included, etc. But i don't think it should be that expensive than living in dormitory. And again which city and university, the cost and facilities are differenct everywhere.

[melo]

Regarding a host family, depends where he is going to study, which university, etc.
It is helpful to live with a host family at the begining for a smooth transition and adjustment especially if someone is coming to US first time; however, he would have more opportunities to live with a host family in Universities, which are located far from Metropolitan areas. I never heard someone living in New York City and living with a host family, including myself.




Why would you think it is more difficult to find a host family in a city? I think just by pure numbers there is a better chance.

[Lolahon]

The answer is simple. In big cities there are many foriegners, and local people are not eager to host and skeptical about expats, plus space and security issues, etc. Whereas in small cities and towns, people are more curious and hospitable toward international students. This is a general concept, I am sure there might be some excetional cases.

[dauphin]

If your brother can get accepted to master's program that does not mean he has to study master's program. In first week of classes he can go to his academical or international advisor tell that he is having difficulties in understanding spoken english. They would be happy to transfer him into ESL courses. It is true that getting visa to ESL courses is almost impossible.

[melo]

The answer is simple. In big cities there are many foriegners, and local people are not eager to host and skeptical about expats, plus space and security issues, etc. Whereas in small cities and towns, people are more curious and hospitable toward international students. This is a general concept, I am sure there might be some excetional cases.

Interesting, I always found people in small towns to be more worried about foreigners.

[Lolahon]

Then go ahead and send your brother to big city then, since you know already.

[Lolahon]

Interesting, I always found people in small towns to be more worried about foreigners.

Everyone has its own expereince and outputs in her or his life in US. If you found out that about small towns, than it is your findings, however, you should know it may not apply to everyone and every small town.

[Visitor]

Thanks guys!

Most of your points make sense to us and we certainly buy them. Especially host family issue and what to do in university in case if he struggles with his study are helpful. We also probably go to university option directly to be on safe side.

I see some disagreement regarding cost of living in host family or dorm. Our information is purely based on our internet research of language schools. Mostly, it is true that dorm is less expensive than living with host family.

It is always great to have people like you!!!

Keep it up!!!