A handbook for international students
Studying in the United States, without the overwhelm.
There are official, low-cost, and reliable resources for almost every step of studying in the U.S. — most students just never hear about them. Open Manual gathers them all in one place and explains each one in plain language.
Begin where you are · read in any order
The chapters
Ten chapters, one clear path.
Each chapter collects the official and reliable resources for one stage of the journey — from your first search, through your visa, to everyday life on campus.
- Chapter 1 — Begin Here
- Chapter 2 — Finding a College
- Chapter 3 — Applying & Admissions
- Chapter 4 — English Proficiency
- Chapter 5 — Visas & Immigration
- Chapter 6 — Paying for College
- Chapter 7 — Working & Careers
- Chapter 8 — Academic Support
- Chapter 9 — Health & Well-Being
- Chapter 10 — Your Rights & Everyday Life
Ask the guide
Unsure where to start?
Tell the guide what you are working on and it will point you to the resources you actually need.
Open Manual · ask the guideSpeaking…
Voice conversation on — speak, and the guide answers aloud, then listens again. Press “Voice chat” to end.
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Resources
Start with one resource.
You don’t need to know it all — just where to look.