Living in the US was my life’s biggest dream.

I landed in the Big Apple on a beautiful hot day in August. The start of the new school year was only two weeks away so I needed to find a place to stay as soon as possible.

Moving to the US from a relatively small country is overwhelming. Everything here was an amazing distraction and finding an apartment in New York became more and more challenging. After a few days I did manage to find the perfect place, a small one-bedroom apartment that is only a 20-minute subway ride from the busy Times Square. I didn’t have enough time though to keep searching for a better place. School was starting in 10 days and I had some introductory courses that I had to attend. Luckily my parents came along and helped me settle in. They were a huge help and I am very thankful for that.

I had always pictured University life in America a certain way, the way Hollywood portrays it, but in New York campus life is quite different. There is no small college town, but a maze of campus buildings orbiting Washington Square Park. Yes, I was enrolled as a full-time international student at NYU and that little busy little park was the unofficial campus. Now I think of how different my experience would have been if I had lived in a campus apartment, surrounded by other students.

I mentioned earlier, the first feeling I had upon my arrival here wasn’t in any way similar to the movies I had seen as a kid. My busy day was divided between my classes, seeing the new and exciting sights of the city, and meeting new and interesting people from all over the world. The scenery easily became a tiresome one. The “Greatest City On Earth”, as I began to call it, can wear you out quickly if you are not too careful, but I was able to adjust very fast to New York’s fast-paced and dynamic lifestyle. It wasn’t hard for me though, because all my life I understood American culture, the American way of thinking and living here was my life’s biggest dream. And it was slowly coming true.

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After enjoying a lot of the things this city had to offer I decided that I definitely wanted to stay in the US after graduation. I felt right at home here from day one. So, with this in mind, I started thinking of ways of extending my visa and becoming a permanent resident as soon as I graduate.

Talking about visas and the different options on how to legally stay in the US, as an international student, can be really confusing at first. I’ve been there. I know what I’m saying. Now when I look back I think the first step and maybe the most important one, is to find and talk to a trustworthy immigration lawyer. If you think you know better by just reading some articles online, you are wrong. I’ve done that, and the only thing it did was to deepen my confusion.

Find a lawyer and talk about your options!!

These options may differ from person to person, depending on country of origin, and that is exactly the reason why you should consult an immigration attorney.

After this very important and essential first step, the next big one is to finally make a decision regarding your status here, before it’s too late. Some visas require a lot of paperwork before applying, and you can apply only once per year. Other visas, like the investor visa, require a multitude of things to prepare and have ready in order to apply. All these different approaches require guidance. An Immigration lawyer whom you trust can become your best friend. He or she can clear up a lot of the questions you might have about achieving your ultimate goal, to legally live and work in USA.

A few months ago I graduated with a M.S. in Marketing and now I have a full-time job as part of my OPT, on my initial F-1 student visa, which I’m very hopeful that, by April of next year, will turn into a H1-B visa.

Don’t get stuck on the H-1B visa.

There are many possibilities for people who love the American way of life to stay here legally and enjoy this country’s freedoms and opportunities. Explore them! First step: talk to an immigration lawyer who can analyze and strategize with you, whom you have in your corner pushing you to take the necessary steps. A lawyer who knows and understands the process as well as the pitfalls of the immigration procedures is your best ally. I was lucky to find my lawyer adviser and guide. I know the beginning can be very confusing and overwhelming. You have a lot of ground to cover, you have to do your homework and make sure that you have all of the correct information. That, of course, in addition to all the things you have to adjust to and to process when you move to a new country, a new culture and a new environment.

I know the beginning can be very confusing and overwhelming. You have a lot of ground to cover, you have to do your homework and make sure that you have all of the correct information. That, of course, in addition to all the things you have to adjust to and to process when you move to a new country, a new culture and a new environment.

My best advice is that you keep your eyes on the prize. Your mindset should be “How can I stay here, if this is what I really want”. If this is your ultimate goal, begin building your future here and start by talking to an Immigration lawyer.

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