Everything I WISH I Knew BEFORE College: International Student Guide 101

🌟 Sign up for Notion here!: ntn.so/notionchloetan
My International Student Guide: www.notion.so/international-s... (updated link)
This is everything I wish I knew before I came to the United States, or rather - A Guide to US Colleges as an International Student! I cover all the technical, slightly boring, adulting, tiring stuff that international kiddies have to constantly think about as they go to college in the US: everything from visa application, OPT/CPT, work authorization, how to pay taxes, what health insurance to get, how to get internships as an international student, etc!!
To sum it all up, I made a public Notion page containing a bunch of research I did on all of these topics, telling you step-by-step everything you need to do!
Feel free to use it as a check-list or a reference :)
❝ 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐮𝐩 ❞: Guessing Student Majors at UChicago
#internationalstudent #collegeguide #itschloetan
________❝ 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 ❞ ______________________________
The notion template I made: ntn.so/chloeISG101
publicly available and perfect for anyone to duplicate to your own notion! ☻
________ ❝ 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 ❞ __________________________
0:00 Overview of everything I will talk about
1:10 F1 visa application - process and important tips
3:30 my bad experience with I-20
5:30 Insurance - what to avoid!!
7:20 Social security number
8:36 SSN method 1
11:00 SSN method 2
________ ❝ 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 ❞ _____________
🌿 instagram: @itschloetan (plz help me get to 10K so i can link things in my stories ;-;)
🎍 tiktok: @itscholetan
🌱 photography account: @coverherface
🌵 email: [e-mail]
_________ ❝ 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 ❞ _____________________________
Music by Remil - Sunsets - thmatc.co/?l=7B9DA17F
Music by Remil - Evening Tea - thmatc.co/?l=88310C0C
Music by Remil - Floral - thmatc.co/?l=737FC71D
________ ❝ 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞 ❞ ___________________________
21 years old
Singapore-Indonesian, grew up in Shanghai
University of Chicago
Economics and Data Science major
_________ ❝ 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐡 ❞ ___________________________
I don’t usually like to use tags, but considering this video is on a bit of an unconventional topic, I’m really trying to boost search here so international students can find it ;-; comment down below to help or share to some friends who you think might find this helpful!! :))
International student experience, how to study in the us, how to study in the usa, how to go to college in the us, international student usa experience, international student college experience, International students in usa, international student, international student college, international student vlog, student visa process, student internship visa, student visa usa, us student visa, college student visa, visa application process, student insurance, international student taxes, international student taxes usa, international student social security number, how to get social security number, how to get ssn international, how to get ssn college, international student insurance
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𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬: 100,000
(holy crap guys how did we get here HOW)

[@asynchloe]

Here is the notion I made! (also check out description for more details: ntn.so/chloeISG101 Comment below more video ideas I should do🌿

[@joiezericka]

it isn't working anymore :(

[@leongdengfu9725]

Hi Chloe, I can’t access to the notion you made.

[@winnieouma662]

7

[@areensami399]

the link isnt working :/

[@daileizhang4457]

the link isn't really working anymore lol It would be great if you could update it! Thank you so much!!

[@isabellakurniawan2241]

As a Singaporean studying in Canada, even though its not exactly the same, this would've been insanelyyyy helpful if i had this before i came! i'm sure this will help lots of people! :)

[@asynchloe]

Fingers crossed!! Hopefully this will help out confused intl students bc I was so confused 🥲

[@jazzyjune5809]

I plan on moving to Canada .... Student from India... Any tips?

[@Cutiemaan]

I’m finally coming to Canada in a few weeks, I’ll be a first a year!! Do you have any tips? Or things you wish you knew before coming?

[@charliet365]

@@Cutiemaan how’s Canada ? I wanna study there too, I’m 16 :)

[@Ilovegymnastics-ks4ii]

What school are you at?

[@withvung]

This is so helpful! Yes you are the big sis too all of us ever since I was in high school studying IB 😭

[@asynchloe]

😭IB TRAUMA GANG RISE UP

[@DemetriPanici]

Congrats on 100k! I feel that being an international student would be so fun, rewarding, and hard at the same time

[@asynchloe]

thanks sm!! and yes that's definitely true -- it's an experience I wouldn't trade but it is a lil rough sometimes :')

[@cyverbunny]

ahh thank you so much for making this!! I really want to get into a college next year and I'm super anxious about starting the process. this helped so much, things seem a lot easier now. you're really giving that big sister energy. I'm so grateful I found this

[@ccgurlll]

I'd love to know more about your planning system! staying motivated + managing time!

[@teumeexol]

this is sooo helpful tysm!! would defintely love a series on this

[@skandamahesh9974]

The background and audio is insane…nice job Chloe

[@yafercorralbarrera9089]

girl I am also an international student from Mexico in the US and I need to say it, your english is soooo good! congrats and thank for your videos!!!

[@meshiyet]

Great video! Would love it if you make another video delving into the internship/employment and opt/cpt topic

[@silmist11]

CONGRATS ON 100K!! wooo!! also, i gotta say, even though i'm not an international student i still felt like this was really cool to learn from, and it's so nice and helpful to hear all these forms and their uses get laid out so clearly! esp with the little details about forms that need to be physical or be left as digital omfgg those kinda sound like a death trap waiting to happen LOL (and unrelated, but your wall decor is super cute

[@asynchloe]

AWH thank you so much ☻ ☻ and yeah there were a couple stuffs I had to learn the hard way so fingers crossed this helps someone in the future!!

[@ziad9608]

Just got accepted! Very excited!!

[@ale9507]

This is absolutely fantastic. Thank you very much for compiling this stuff. Now it's just a matter of getting in lol.

[@gailygirlet]

Thank you for making this video! I'm glad I came across this. I'm just about to start my life as an international student here in New York and everything you said here was very helpful! You were able to cover topics I was also curious about. Thank you very much!!! ❤ Stay safe! 😊

[@amelitaelf]

Which university you got in? I want to study in New York too.

[@heartbeamy]

congrats on the well deserved 100k !! i plan on going to the states for grad school so this was super useful as always

[@asynchloe]

♡ thank you sm!!

[@seansswamp]

i was so nervous and scared after studying everything about this subject, because how much stuff i have to do, but after watching your video. omg I LOVE YOU SO MUCH❤ God bless you really wow

[@peruncingpensil4270]

Chloe, we need more video like this

[@thuanhoang9381]

I'm not even having any plans to go study abroad not to mention the US. But this is so informative and interesting that I just continued watching 'til the end.

[@gauravpallod4768]

I would love it if you made another video going more in-depth help for international students in the US!

[@asynchloe]

Sure!! What areas would you like to see? ☻

[@dorothymuya8824]

This is helpful. I'm moving to Orlando for my studies next week so this was very informative. Please make a credit and debt card video. Much love from South Africa

[@laztud9237]

congrats on 100k btw !! definitely deserved :)

[@asynchloe]

It feels unreal AHH

[@RomansVault]

i'm about to start college in august and american college system is very unfamiliar to me still but this video helped clear a few things off. so thank you so much!!

[@kaiakath5808]

Congrats on 100K🎉🎉🎉 Your videos always have a good vibe and I will keep supporting your channel !💕 I’m sure you will reach another 100k very soon:)

[@asynchloe]

AHH thank you so much ♡ I hope so too but honestly this is more than I ever imagined all thanks to you guys :’)

[@luongtran7054]

This is so helpful Chloe! Love the part where you mentioned PSI insurance. I would be looking forward to your video about credit card and finance for international students!

[@asynchloe]

Haha absolutely!! Need to do more research about credit card and etc

[@luongtran7054]

@@asynchloe You rocks, girl!

[@sainbayarayur813]

There are great valuable information in there. Good job!

[@asynchloe]

🤩thank you!!

[@samsan6067]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VIDEO, you're really pretty and cute, smart and talented. You're video is really important to me and i am your fan already hahahah

[@whynot659]

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH! I feel like it's a sign for me to really start digging into studying abroad. It is my dream, however, it's really scary for me to start the process, when I don't have anyone to ask for the advice or help. Thank you so much, now that i understand it more, it seems less difficult. Don't get me wrong, it still is. But when there are less unknowns, i can tell myself that i'm capable of doing so. You're such an inspiration! I remember finding you channel, getting to know you better as i watched your videos, and i how would tell my friend that i really look up to you. Can't thank you enough, Chloe

[@asynchloe]

🥺THIS IS SO SWEET thank you sm for taking the time and writing such a sweet comment ahh I’m glad you’re here ☻

[@seansswamp]

❤

[@bonquegorjimz1115]

Just came across Your video so welcome to Chicago, IL. watching it here in Rosemont Chicago, IL

[@gabriella7602]

i'm not an international student but this was still so fun to watch :>

[@anishgupta2357]

Congrats on 100k! I'm a big fan of your channel! I was wondering if you had the time to look over my common app essay (if not it's fine).

[@MFG63]

Greetings from Indonesia. Thank you for the video, really helpful!

[@ellona3645]

From Switzerland and I applied for an exchange. Saw the health insurance offered by Cooper Union at NYC. I was shook lol... I will try out PSI :)

[@clol906]

Please do a video on finance, thank you this is so so helpful ❤

[@ilyasssbaiti8586]

Im new here i take my f1 visa and ill go to the US next month, im excited to start my journey as international with all the difficulties, thanks for the valuable infos on this video even though i didnt understand some of the steps xD

[@rubikashree7724]

youre so underrated g :( i just wish more people watch your content it'll really help em too

[@asynchloe]

Hehehe you already make me so happy ♡

[@MarkusBlue]

This is worth money! Thank you so much!!!!

[@snoedo_tai]

Congrats on reaching 100K; here’s to the next 100K!! I knew international students had a lot to go through, but seriously, mad respect for y’all! I’m hoping to study abroad somewhere in Asia (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, or Taiwan) next year so I know I have a lot to get planned out-no doubt there will be some overlap with everything you talked about! :)

[@asynchloe]

♡ thanks so much!!!

[@asynchloe]

And best of luck

[@snoedo_tai]

Thank you :)

[@kaiakath5808]

Taiwan🇹🇼 welcomes you 💕

[@snoedo_tai]

@@kaiakath5808 thank you :)) I’d love to learn more about Taiwan if you’re willing to share!

[@Hamcap57]

Thank you for the information you gave! You're so cute!

[@MARZTUBE]

Wow this is insanely helpful

[@KidSaigon]

Thanks Chloe Tan !

[@beautyfun8595]

girl, thank you.

[@Sabrina-jv7vj]

Thank you! Great Video! Can you help with first time TAXES in the US as international student working on campus?

[@mintk9900]

Hi Chloe. Lovelovelove your vids, very informative. I would like to ask if we should get in the college first plus find a place to live before apply for visa and everything?? Can you make a video about apartment hunt?

[@asynchloe]

OH okay so - check if your college mandates 1 year or 2 years of living on campus (for example UChicago used to require students to live on campus for 1 year, now they changed it to 2 years) - if that’s the case, then definitely apply for the visa first before looking for an apartment! You’ll need a US bank account and phone number to sign the lease and pay renter’s insurance, so definitely do the visa first!

[@UnicornPizza]

Hiii Chloe! Will you one day do a study with me video ??? I would LOVE to study my Law with you haha! Love your videos, your the best!

[@asynchloe]

HAHAHA MAYBE I WILL but I’m low-key a mess when I study (talking to myself, weird expressions, etc) so maybe I’ll do a study w me when I’m editing photos or dealing with emails hehehe

[@AlHakanJazuli]

Wow Chloe What a great video but I was hoping you can talk a bit more about Finances.. lol Since I am currently now applying for the transfer program.. but a bit worry how much money is needed to survive (at least for couple months before get the job) and yep stuff like that.. financial problems are very daunting for International student :)

[@asynchloe]

I agree!! I’ll tackle finances and budgeting soon…. But it’s such a large topic I’ll probably start small and see what other subtopics within personal finance I want to cover ☻

[@dr.merlot1532]

Key things to prepare before going to Singapore: 1) Be Singaporean. When I came to Singapore I just winged it. Figured out everything as I went. The immigration to USA sounds super complicated. For Singapore, I just had to go to Downtown at The riverwalk to get work permit.

[@asynchloe]

yep!! SG is a pretty welcoming place -- hope you had a good time hehe

[@yaoxiao5859]

hi! thank u a lot for the video. i cannot access your template however. whenever i click your link it only leads to my notion. do you know how i can fix that? Xx

[@angelawarnakula7373]

Was anyone able to open the notion template? I'm a really hard time doing so... By the way this video was very helpful, thank you❤️❤️

[@adnanhashim_]

Hi, sorry this is late but the notion link requires me to contact you the admin to access the page as a member. Kindly assist me🙏Thanks

[@bityawondewesen5796]

Hi Chloe! The Notion Link isn't working anymore. Can you upload a new link for it?

[@david-liorusa6422]

Hi Chloe. Very important question. Do you know international students who receive aid? Since I saw the checkbox “intl with financial aid” on a UChicago admission’s file, I believe that there are almost not any who get money?

[@ashk2719]

Hi! The notion link says that we need access to see it

[@iftitasfeen2965]

This was more helpful then the dozen other videos i watched on this topic, but I am still confused about the which visa will be better to apply for after my f1 visa is expired. It would very helpful if you make a video further explaining employment and further visa options for an international student.

[@seansswamp]

if you want to stay i suggest apply for a work visa and the green card lottery.

[@jm_sc]

​@seansswamp do I have to get married or does girlfriend/engage works too? 😭

[@impishlyric]

wow sounds like fun

[@gertrud9799]

Hello, If you wanted to get into university with a 4-year undergraduate premed degree, then get into medical school for the another 4 years? Would you basically do this process again or would there be any changes?

[@raquellima1617]

I can't access the notion page, it says I don't have access. Could anyone share a copy, please?

[@embermist6279]

adding to notion-isn't-working comment fodder in case it helps :>

[@catlvrzz]

opening the notion template is probably the hardest thing ive done. ever. still struggling

[@catlvrzz]

SOMEONE HELP

[@derraa]

i need help please. the link is not directing me to the notion template. how can i get the template. thank you

[@carmelaao]

Does the visa application process and I-20 issue in USA similar to Canada?

[@user-oe6pi4hj8j]

Hello there, I can't find any answer for my question, for my case, I am currently a 12th year international student, and I will finish high school in June 2024. I am planning to take my tests and prepare my application during the summer, however by the time I'll be applying (Oct/Nov) I'll already be in my first year of university (starts in September) so I don't know how should I apply then?

[@higher1078]

Hi chloe fellow Singaporean here👋👋. Thanks for the insightful video. Im also studying economics but im not sure what my second major should be(have to pick one next term), any suggestions?

[@asynchloe]

My advice would be don’t pick it based just on your career choices! Either pick something to complement econ (like pub pol if you wanna do policy analysis, or compsci/data science if you wanna be more computational) or something to contrast (sociology, arts, etc!) pick between complement and contrast first, and then just explore!! :)

[@ebubechinweze5962]

Hi, for PSI Insurance can I pay in April and still resume in August and my Insurance will not be cancelled

[@zummax8305]

How can you run KZbin channel if you are on F1 visa ? Is there any ways?

[@MarkusBlue]

Quick question: I know you tutor too.. Im wondering how you do that... is that part of your OPT? Coz I know as international students we cannot work anywhere but on campus only...coz I would love to start tutoring, so I want to see how possible it is...

[@sammies1571]

Hey! the notion link in inaccessible :(

[@nayakaba7300]

I couldn't open the notion guide; Why?

[@ehonmwoniguma8572]

What if I am an international student who wants to stay in the United States

[@areensami399]

HELLO! i cannot access the notion link!

[@loverbella3850]

do u still need an f1 visa if u wnana stay in the us for how long u want?

[@NazminaRizakhojayeva]

i can't get an access to your notion template T_T

[@DareRektBrawlStars]

you should do a fan meetup one day?

[@asynchloe]

HAHAH maybe one day when i settle down a bit -- but also would have no idea what to talk about there 0.0

[@solutiondone5555]

Where is part 2? We are waiting

[@skribby838]

I‘ve got a question about the Visa: When am I supposed to apply for a Visa, before I apply to an US university or after I get accepted into an uni? Do USA universities require you to show them, that you have a Visa while you apply?

[@sonu4ever]

good question. you have to apply for visa once you get an admission letter from USA's universities.

[@linahfatima]

Can we start KZbin as an international student? How did you do it? 😩

[@Bshxkskslw]

What if you are an immigrant in the U.S ? Would it be harder or easier?

[@mangoqualifier5854]

Hey, can you also make a video on the sort of work you can legally do on an F1 visa? I know trading and on-campus jobs are allowed but what about tutoring for example? Or freelancing? or being employed by a company abroad and working for them remotely (from the US)? Oh, and what about youtube or other forms of social media? I know there's a video of yours where you talk about tutoring as a college student and that got me confused because from what I have read, any form of external employment, or even starting your own business on F1 is not allowed, so can you please touch upon these topics as well. Thanks!

[@asynchloe]

Absolutely! It truly depends on what your school offers - my school turns any employment you do yourself after 1 year into a Metcalf, which makes it super easy; for my tutoring, it happens in China and I don’t get paid in the US (aka no business transactions in the US and no business service in the US) and I’m Singaporean, which means I should pay SG taxes, but due to SG tax policy Singaporeans overseas don’t pay tax! It’s quite a unique situation for me though! Also a note on KZbin - you can choose to accumulate your earnings and not cash out until you do get a SSN, after which you can earn! Hope this helped :)

[@mangoqualifier5854]

@@asynchloe Yess, this was very helpful, thanks!

[@dashasands]

@@asynchloe pretty sure SSN for F-1 visa holders comes with restrictions (I am a F-1 myself). Makes sense on accumulating earnings though. but still don't quite agree with the SSN answer. I hired a lawyer when I was in school and they were very clear on that.

[@elediamg8251]

I can't get access to your notion template ☹☹ please help

[@antartica1999]

nice

[@seahsiying3145]

OMG I HAVE THE SAME APPA SOFTOY 😬

[@oussama00001]

the link is not working anymore :(

[@orchidfundu2396]

I have a queston. Is it legal to be an international student and do youtube? Thank you

[@nimratkaur4661]

Hi I am unable to open the notion template for some reason. Is there any other way for me to access it?

[@mileapofamily7560]

me too

[@joaoleite6865]

the link isn't working anymore T_T

[@zoepatrick3545]

OMG YOURE SINGAPOREAN? THATS SO COOL

[@huypacman3340]

Uh nu help me Chloe I can barely access your Notion :

[@matteoshehi7080]

The link doesn’t work

[@flungoutofspace2091]

Can we have a Q&A ?

[@asynchloe]

Hahah sure!! Stay tuned on my IG~

[@jaivindiraen]

how to move to usa as a student?

[@LiveLifeLaugh88]

Hi Chloe, thanks for this info! Planning to set my F1 visa appointment next month. Btw, did the VO ask for other documents aside from the I-20 and passport? As far as I know, they don't ask for other documents as they are interview based. Would appreciate to hear your experience. Thank you! 🤍

[@glasscactus4549]

The link isnt working:(

[@eugenie2413]

i cannot access your notion

[@nataliasobol8200]

the link is broken…

[@dashasands]

How are you able to monetize your KZbin or teach English as an international student? I was an F-1 visa holder, I was not allowed to work off-campus. Trying to understand for my younger siblings who may be coming to the US. Thank you

[@flfreaks3745]

Many international students actually work off-campus from what I heard. the key rule is just don't get caught by the officials. So your service or salary is collected by by cash-only. for her monetize youtube most likely she is using her singapore's bank account.

[@jencao1]

What’s the blue plushie beside you..

[@davidparnell3241]

Hi

[@Marcus-kc6pr]

What if u want to stay in the us to work after uni?

[@asynchloe]

I covered that briefly in the latter part of the video! A popular option is to apply for OPT right after college (gives you 12 months) and use that time to apply for a work visa (depends on you but probably a H-1B visa) - aka id you get sponsorship from your company for a work visa then you’re solid!!

[@lavneethora5083]

Hi..i can't access the notion template..it says I don't have access to chloe's braincells, pls contact admin

[@Luke-jg3bx]

I wont come to the US srry

[@michaeljimenez9203]

Where are you from

[@Luke-jg3bx]

@@michaeljimenez9203 AT

[@xDaviiiii]

I have a question, how did you pay for your college?