For most people in the world- including some in other developed countries- the US is the paragon of an affluent society, the proverbial Promised Land where millionaires abound and where even the lower classes are comfortable.

Recent statistics from the Federal Bureau of Labor indicate that 70 percent of all jobs are found in United States through networking. If you ask any entrepreneur in the USA he/she will confirm that about 90% of clients are found through networking too.

Even though there is somuch variety in America, there is still an "American culture" that may bequite different from your own. While much of American culture is exportedthrough television, film, and consumer products, there are some aspects thatyou do not encounter until you live in the US. For a brief description ofthese aspects, refer to American culture and habits. To gain a better understanding of what life is like in the different regionsin the US, refer to USA regions. Referto the other pages in this section to find out how to perform common tasks,such as opening a bank account and choosing housing. Read Student profiles to hear theexperiences of real students just like you.