Living In The U.S.

This section provides useful information on many aspects of life which might be different in the United States than in your home country.

Here are reflections from current and past students on life in the U.S., as well as some helpful tips they wanted to share with you.

Arriving to the U.S.

“Arrive to the Boston area a week or two before orientation to set up your apartment and settle in. As soon as classes start, you are going to be so busy you will barely have time to go out and buy things to set up your house. Also, because there are so many universities in the Boston area, a lot of great items at IKEA (popular store for inexpensive furniture) will be sold out if you wait too long to shop.”
– Takreem Mazhar M’16, Karachi, Pakistan

Socializing

“In the U.S., small talk made it incredibly easy to connect with people initially, but keeping that connection was challenging. You will have to put some time and effort into following up on offers to get lunch or a tea/coffee. Babson students are very busy and have full schedules, but spontaneous invitations can still be good, too.”
– Eshwa Azadzoi ’18, Ghazni, Afghanistan

“I don’t drink alcohol, but I still feel comfortable going to bars and parties to socialize with my classmates. We formed a close group and we look out for each other. Most Babson professors are like friends who are always willing to share their experiences and guide us in any way they can. It took awhile for me to feel comfortable with this because it was so different than in my home culture, but now I find it to be a great part of life at Babson!”
– Shikha Goel M’16, Delhi, India

“The United States is an amalgamation of diverse cultures in which one has to learn how to interact with people with different beliefs and backgrounds in order to shine. Living here has taught me mutual respect and helped me build an understanding of different cultures like no other experience could.”
– Mayank Arora M’15, Panipat, India

Resources

“When in doubt, ask questions! Don’t feel shy or nervous; people want to help you. This is the only way to make the best decision about opening a bank account, buying a phone, having books shipped, etc.

“Be outgoing and curious and leave your comfort zone! I never planned on joining the track team and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, or leading the Babson Investment Management Association, but participation in these activities helped me make friends and develop a support network.

“Utilize the Going Global resource on the Hub. You can find out which companies are sponsoring H-1B work visas for specific roles—this is an incredibly useful tool!”
– Rishav Bansal ’14, Kathmandu, Nepal