Study in the USA - practical matters

[Digimoor]

So DC has been offered a place to study in the USA
Apart from getting them and their stuff there what else do I need to consider?

There's no need for a car while in university. Campuses are walkable and many have campus bus services too, to get to far flung buildings, labs, etc.

You left out the most important part, where?

East Coast city so he won't need a car

That's lucky. I have a friend who is reliant on her mates and cars

My son did this at an East coast college is it in NJ? Had a ball, loved it. He had to go to London to be interviewed for his visa so be prepared for that. Why are you planning to go with him? Think this might be seen as a little odd? I know mine would have laughed at that and said no thanks! Our doctors gave us a signed list of vaccinations and confirmed that he'd had chicken pox- luckily we had gone as it got infected otherwise might not have been on his records. He didn't have a car but made friends with people who did pretty quickly 😉

Will he want you to go with him op? My friends son is in uni in Georgia. I think he would be horrified if his mum had come along too so they just wave him off at the airport. He’s having a blast- I’m sure your son will love it. I did a summer camp on the east coast and loved it.

Another one who says no need for a car. DS can't drive anyway. Everything is on campus and he bought himself a bike.

I'm surprised that dropping them off is a no-no given everyone going to Uni in the UK seems to be

The dc I know going to college are being taken by parents.

Does it make a difference to drop off if the DC is on a year abroad versus going off to uni for the first time. I would have wanted to take a freshman but DS is going in his 3rd year, and is travelling independently this summer. I reckon he will be fine making his way there.

@Digimoor DD is waiting for (hopefully/maybe!!) USA offers - would def go to help her settle in as lots of shopping and practical to do to get her set up; v normal for US parents to do the same. After that she will fly alone unless i want an excuse for a break but i will try to get to see her in any big or family events sometimes :)

US parents drop off, some even driving cross country to do so!

There’s rigmarole with freshmen but after that you just get yourself moved in and out every year.

I'm surprised that dropping them off is a no-no given everyone going to Uni in the UK seems to be

I drove/ brought all of mine to university as freshmen, and this is the norm.

The DD who was a 12 hour drive from home made her own way to and from campus by herself after that (flew, or Amtrak - 17 hours), and I picked her up after graduation (we flew home). The DD who went even further afield did the same (I flew with her to her first drop off).

The rest of them went to university closer to home and got dropped off as freshmen, then picked up at the end of the year. In between, they used a private regional bus service and I dropped them to the pick up point. I occasionally picked them up or dropped them off as they were 2.5 hours away, 5 hour round trip (for Thanksgiving, Christmas).

There are usually campus or off-campus storage options for all the stuff they bring with them or accumulate over the year away so they don't need to bring every single thing or all their winter clothes home for the summer.

Universities are very organised in their dropping off arrangements. There is normally a time slot you need to observe, and traffic arrangements to adhere to.

One of my DC is currently aboard as part of their degree. Large suitcase plus stuffed carry on with a first day trip to Walmart worked. Also, I signed up to a trial of Amazon.com and got bedding delivered. The University health insurance is compulsory and is a flat rate for everyone of £40 per week at the university my daughter is at, so more expensive than travel insurance. You need single leg travel insurance while they are travelling out there and if they are staying after the year ends.

Does anyone have any recommendations for personal possessions insurance while overseas?

We use Gallagher. DM If you want to know more, I'm not able to check details till later. My DD is just about to graduate in Boston and move on to a master's in San Francisco.

Thanks I will check them out

Any comments on the quality of linens from target, walmart, barnes & noble or anywhere else I should be looking?

Barnes & Noble is a bookstore.

Target is great for just about everything it sells, most college dorm beds are twin XL size.

Barnes & Noble sells college stuff eg bedding - it's all delivery or click and collect only but they do sell it

I've had plenty of towels and bedding from Target over the years, it's all been fine and lasted well.
I've never seen any linens in my local Barnes & Noble, maybe it's just an online special event for the start of the school year, so can't comment on their quality.

thank you

It's not a no no, many American parents take their kids to college for the first time and sometimes drop and pick up at the start and finish of each school session if the student has lots of stuff to move in and out

If your DS is happy for you to come along then you're good. He is moving to a new country and will need more support to help him settle down.

Every kid I've known starting College here in the US has had their parents to go with them for drop off. It doesn't matter if they're driving cross country, flying or staying in their home town, everyone has their parents there to help unpack and have a quick tour.
Definitely not a 'no no'!.