Although you have researched every university in the United States and have chosen one that eventually accepted you as an international student, it can be a bit overwhelming when suddenly living in a totally new land with many cultural differences. For this reason, it is always suggested that you come with your mobile phone loaded with apps that will help you make the necessary adjustments with a minimal amount of stress.
These apps fall into basic categories and so, much like your days of researching which universities to apply to, you might want to compare and contrast apps within these categories as well. They will do you no good if you can’t manage them well, so do take the time to see what’s out there. If we suggest an app, you can assume it has a history of being among the most downloaded in kind. With that said, let’s look at those three basic categories now.
1. Translating Apps
Perhaps one of the most popular translating apps is Google Translate but that stands to reason since Google is the biggest and most frequented search engine in the world. Everyone knows Google, don’t they? Their translating app is actually quite good and the benefit of using an app released by Google is that you may also have access to local phrases in the vernacular that other translating apps might not. Remember, after all, that Google’s search algorithms rely heavily on search phrases, many of which are geographic idioms. The point being, Google may be better able to translate regional dialects better because of this.
2. Money Transfer Apps
When it comes to being a stranger in a strange land, to borrow a literary allusion, the one thing you might want to be prepared for is a bit of financial uncertainty. While you may have come with a preloaded debit card provided by your parents, that may be insufficient when it comes to making necessary purchases like a night out in the local clubs (don’t worry, we won’t tell.) But that card isn’t set to be automatically loaded for several weeks so what can you do in the interim?
This is where an app like Ria Money Transfer can come in handy. With over half a million locations around the globe, many of which are in the United States, you can have money available in moments. Even wire transfers to your bank debit card can take days and if you’ve overspent your budget, you may need funds within moments, not days. It might be a bit tricky trying to explain to your landlord why you are short on this month’s rent, so money in minutes via that money transfer app may be your saving grace.
3. GPS Apps for Getting Around
You may have made arrangements to rent or perhaps purchase a previously owned vehicle to get around in. Unfortunately, getting around to an international student may be quite literal, like going around in circles since you really don’t know where you are going. Once again, Google can come to the rescue because Google Maps for android is about the most comprehensive GPS system in the country. In fact, many of the other popular GPS apps rely on information from Google, so why not start with the original since you may end up back there anyway!
These are just three of the kinds of apps you may need as an international student in the US. However, don’t forget those dating apps, chat apps, social media apps and so forth. If it’s something that lives in the digital world, there is bound to be an app you can load on your phone. In other words, where there’s an app, there’s a way.