The North American education system may be quite different than the one in your home country. Students are often surprised about the more informal student teacher interactions in class, the social dynamics and the large amount of homework required. In most college and university programs, you will be required to read more than a hundred pages from your textbooks each week, write research papers and how to take good notes during class lectures.
A good way to begin your North American education experience is to enroll in an Intensive English Program, or "IEP" for at least a few weeks. IEPs have many advantages for students. First, the IEP staff and teachers are usually specifically trained and experienced in assisting international students with the unique issues they face with cultural and linguistic adjustments. Students will usually find IEP staff and teachers to be very patient and able to give them as much assistance as needed. Another great advantage is that many IEPs are located on college and university campuses. These IEPs often provide students with access to facilities like the college library, computer lab, athletic facilities and learning centers. Spending time in a college library and getting familiar with its services is an excellent way you can prepare for the assignments you will do once you begin your regular academic program.
