Hi Sajha friends, I am coming to US at the University of Michigan for the Fall 2007 and have TAship of 1250$ (with Tuition waiver and health insurance). I have no clue whether one can save money out of this amount. Therefore, I would like to know whether it is possible to save some money. Second, I also like to know whether to get green card is possible if one stays in US for 4 to 5 years.

Could you share your experience from US. Thanks.

Ramesh

Ramesh:

After you pay the tax, you might be getting about 1000 per month. You will have to really economize to save money, specially if you are going to Ann Arbor. It is often possible to save a lot of money even by TA ship, if you are not in big cities where rental is high, but you will have to control yourself, and economize alot.

As for greencard, you will probably regret a lot after a few years if you read this question of your own. It really looks like you are in a rush to leave Nepal even before you enter USA, and , in addition to that, you are talking about money way too early. But we all know this is how average Nepali feels, and I was also like you before I came here. Things such as whether I would be saving money, whether greencard would be within my reach were my major questions just like they are yours now.

Suffice it to say, please come here thinking that you are coming here to gain skill, and you might end up anywhere in the world after finishing the school. If you get a decent job after your graduate degree, and decide to stay here (conditional on the fact that there is a good company willing to hire you), you will most likely (not automatically) get a greencard. This means, if you really want a greencard, and stay here, (nothing wrong with that), you should probably gain some salable skill (i.e. change your major if it is not salable).

Hope you have a great trip, and wish you good luck. Remember that you are coming to USA as a student to learn, not to make money. You are lucky that you have an assistantship, and you can devote all your time for education.

Pire
You have made such a nice suggestion. Good thinking and very good attitude. You are something!! God bless you

Pire Dai, I am so much touched by your generous suggestion. I will always keep your suggestions in my mind. As every Nepali dreams before entering to US, I have collected these impressions because of the pressure from colleagues and family around. I won't worry much whether I can save some money to send to my parents or not, but I hope I won't face difficulties being in US. I wish I could earn some money also side by side of my study. Thanks a lot for all of your lovely concerns.

Ramesh.

Nice said Pire.

Good cautiuousness Mr. Rameshprabhat. Good luck.

So nicely explained by Pire....

well, he is right....life is not so easy as people think...

Will just say you a line...

Mah Nepal huda ghar ko bhat khaanah maan naparuneh manche ho(the only reason, i didn't like to take rice daily) .....now I am missing the same thing a lot....

Circumstances change people...time may come, when u r offered green card, but you say ; "kasto jindagi ko anyoool mah phasechu" bhanerah.....

My suggestion is... being a new generation of the Nation...don't think as of now nai to runaway from country forever....

if all think same, who will at least do something ??

I came to US 6 month before for my graduate studies with the full scholrship.I was so desparate to leave nepal at that moment.But within just 6 months i am missing my family a lot.

Hi rameshprabhat .
Mathika suggestions harulai maddhya najar rakhera malai pani 2 4 shabda rakhna man lagyo. If you are really stingy then you can save couple hundreds dollar every month. I do not know how desperate you are? If you eat TOP RAMEN ( nepal ko rara chauchau jasto taste bhayeko) everyday then you can save more than $500 a month. Regarding the greencard , right after you come here start chasing those fat ass bitches then you will get green card soon if not then you might have to wait for another ten years or so. good luck.

Ramesh and others:

Glad that you liked my suggestions. Hope Ramesh will have a fruitful years ahead at Michigan.

Pire is absolutely right. Come with a right attitude. I can see the point why you want to save money. I do not know your area of study. If you find RA then you will be paid little better then I am sure you will be able to save some money that you can save. Once you come here you will be explore more opportunities. One thing keep in mind, you are one of the lucky that you have assistainship. There are so many Nepali here who work in dhoti ko resturant and gas station to earn their tution fee. I am not sure why are you so much worried about Green Card. There are several ways to get Green Card. 1) As somebody suggest run around some fat chicks. 2) Do something amazing in your school to prove yourself extraordinary. I know few Nepali who have got green card through it. As far as I know this is the fastest way you can get green card. 3) Find a good employer and so on...........

Good luck dude. Enjoy your time in Nepal. You will have hell of a life once you land.

ramesh ji, its very good to hear that you already have a TA. It seems that you really worked hard for it. UofM is a very good school and you don't have to pay the tuition!!! Doesn't that sound great? Don't worry much about money. Generally you will get enough to have a decent living. If I were you I wouldn't be much worried about working outside and earning a couple of extra dollars, that wouldn't make much of change.

My two cents: As everybody else said, first be clear that your TAship is for your study not your study is for your TAship.

So far as TAship is concerned, the amount u mentioned is just sufficient (or say tight) to pay for ur apt rent, grocerry & a bit pocket money. Never expect to save a big dollars from it. If u really wanna make a big money then you may find some work outside, besides TAship. Life is full of struggles & hurdles; more than what you may have imagined now. Good Luck Ramesh & Welcome to AMRICA!!

Rent will be your biggest expense maybe. so that stipend may allow u to live fine with a cheap apartment and groceries.. so u probably might save about $100 a month..but otherwise if u want to save more, it will be struggle.

ramesh ji i am also a TA and my income is like slightly above yours. it depends on how u manage ur money. for me , with all the rents, grocery, fone bill, calbe, internet, and my pocket money, i can still manage to save aroud 300-400 dollars per month. so the main thing, if u want to save moeny, is dont expense on unnecessary things coz in the US there are a lot of things that can make u expense ur money. so it depends on how u handle ur money.
regardind ur question about Green Card, Mr, Pire has answered very nicely an I appreciate for his generous suggestions. Follow what he has suggested.

have a great journey and good luck for ur work coz TA is a very challenging job.

yeah everbody is right. i do not know whether you cahse gals or not if u do then u wont save a penny and if u dont then u might. if u r despearate for sex and stuff then u will be in debt. most of these nerd people from nepal are so boka that they go to strip club every weekend to satisfy thier sexual fantasy. so if you are not that type u may save some money. have fun

Pire,
Thanks for very good suggestions to Ramesh. You seem to be a gentleman! I have hardly seen people in Sajha.com providing so accurate and helpful suggestions to somebody. It will help others who have similar situation.

Thanks Pire, and goodluck Ramesh !

~
Pire,

Your suggestions are really great !!

Good luck to Ramesh and welcome to AMRICA.........

Cheers,

ann harbor is a big city so u should expect lil more expenses, however to live a student life in a student way - $500 should be sufficient..........but that too depends upon ur status i mean whether u r married or not...........but fell fortunate that u have gotten into UM, the endowment of the university in in billions...........as a TA u will not have ample time to hang around so ur pay will be well ..........i suppose u r in masters
good luck