Pre-departure:
I did quite a bit of research leading up to choosing from the long list of great places to visit in the world. So once my application had been approved by the PGIO at Stellenbosch, I sent an application off to Montana State University (MSU) which was my first choice option. The application was all done online.
There were some difficulties in some parts of the application form completion where you choose courses you would like to take, but just e-mail them and they are more than happy to assist. Once I had been accepted at MSU, they sent a DS2019 form to me in the mail. This form is essential for your visa application. Read up about the US student visa process as it can be quite complex. I had to fill out 3 different applications/ forms online before my visa interview. The one was a homeland security form. Another one is the SEVIS, and requires an additional fee to the usual visa fee you need to pay. On the US consulate website you fill out another form and schedule an appointment for an interview at the consulate. Make sure you have all the correct documentation when you go to the consulate, and any additional supporting information may help such as proof of investment or any official ties to South Africa. They want to make sure you come back. Make sure you give enough time to get to the consulate in Tokai, parking can be a problem, and you usually have to walk about 500m to the building, so don’t be late, they are quite strict. Security is tight around the consulate, and the people generally unfriendly, so don’t let it stress you out, as that is what they want. Once I got to the interview however, the guy was very friendly, and helpful, so there is really nothing to worry about. Just tell them what they ask, you don’t need to be elaborate, just short and to the point. I left my passport with them, and they sent it to a courier office in Stellenbosch 2 weeks later where you can show your ID and collect it. I then booked my plane tickets through student flights, they are usually the cheapest, and if you can find one cheaper, they will usually be able to undercut it, so check out travelstart as well.
Once this was done I had to confirm with the host University that I would be attending. Most of the cheap flights to the USA go via Europe, so I opted for a 10 day layover in Ireland (South Africans don’t need a visa) and backpacked around a bit. In terms of packing, I took stationary, gifts from South Africa and the bare minimum of clothes as I planned to buy when I got there. If you are going to be stopping in transit somewhere, make sure that you don’t need a visa for that place. And enjoy preparing, its part of the experience!
Experience at the Host University:
So I was preregistered for some courses when I arrived. We had a very comprehensive orientation program, and the people were so friendly. I was the only South African student at the university. The welcome was really warm and lasting, not what I expected, and Montana has exceeded my expectations, and it really is a spectacular place. During the orientation week, I registered for about 10 additional subject as recommended by some of the current students, and then you go to the first class of each and get a feel for the subject, and then easily drop those which aren’t as well suited to you. Most of the courses are 2, 3 or 4 credits (3 credits=16 South African Credits) and you are required to take a minimum of 12 each semester. I was taking Animal Science subjects, and at first it was quite a shock getting used to the different lingo and measurement systems used over in the USA, but after a few weeks you get used to it, and converting quickly! It is also a lot easier to get higher marks, and the questions on tests and exams are generally very easy, and not very challenging, with assignments not being marked strictly at all. The style of lectures is also very interesting and effective. It seems more practically based, and “useful” than some of the subjects I had at Stellenbosch. All my classes are quite small, from 10-30 people in the class, and being Animal Science there are some real cowboys and rodeo guys. Speaking to the students, it appears that the Americans are lacking in general knowledge and intelligence when compared to an average South African student, so don’t worry about the academics being difficult!
The living is very comfortable in the reses, and the supply and selection of food is endless, but takes some getting used to as it is usually highly processed and quite different to home. If you can arrange private housing there are quite a few student houses (digs) which are a lot cheaper than the university housing options. The University has about 15 000 students. The town of Bozeman has a similar population to Stellenbosch, but more spread out. There is a free bus service running around town which can get you to all the shops.
Socially I have met a lot of International Students from Norway, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Estonia, South Korea and Columbia among other places! I have really been busy and try to do at least one outing or trip every weekend. The options are endless, and there is so much to do! This is probably the best fly fishing for trout in the world, and some of the best natural beauty I have seen, different to South Africa, not better! Yellowstone National Park is just around the corner, and there are bears walking through town every week, which is different, but cool. It’s definitely the place for outdoors people, and worth making the most of it!
