A
male
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:hello reader i am 17 and i didn't stay at school or go to college i have regretted that as i haven't been able to fibd work.i am now thinking about going back to college and getting some education the thing is next year if i have enough money i would like to live in america so i am looking for a 1 year course but i want to tell my mum and dad that i want to move to america but my mum especially is protective of me and i need advice on how to tell my parents about my decision to move.please could anyone give me any advice on how to tell my parents about moving to america thank you everyone
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female
reader, Honeypie  + ♥, writes (25 June 2010):
 I think Tisha covered most of it.
Having a dream or a goal is a good thing, but in order to reach said goal you need to PLAN! It might take a bit longer then you think, to be actually ABLE to move to the US. And once you get here... it may not be what you thought it would be.
I say GET some education, get a job, save up some money and then plan & research!
A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (25 June 2010):
 I think you need to do your research properly and show parents that you have thought this all the way through.
Finances. You have enough money to live, to eat, to pay for the school, the books, transportation, medical insurance (health care is a bit of an issue here in the US)
Housing. You have found affordable housing and have read and understood all the terms of the lease
Transportation. The US is tricky to get around in if you don't have a car. Bus services are good in many cities but if you're out in a more rural area, you will find it very difficult to get around. We don't have trains all over like you do in the UK
School. You know that the school is an accredited one with an established reputation and that the course will be considered valuable. There's a difference between a diploma and a degree, right?
Visa requirements. The US has some fairly stringent criteria about getting in. Student visas are available but there's a process of getting them. Have you started on that? I know some of my friends have friends in other countries who cannot come visit them because they can't get in.
I'll tell you that I had the opportunity to live in the UK. We had to jump through hoops and fill out all kinds of paperwork and prove we had income and weren't going to be a burden to the health care system and everytime I came back into the UK they double checked that my husband was still employed and that we weren't simply looking for a way to stay in the UK illegally. It was a bureaucratic maze; fortunately, we had a lot of help from my husband's company.
Your plans sound very vague and sorry to say a bit unrealistic. I think you need to do some proper research and be honest about your chances of doing something like this. Go back to school in the UK, get a qualification for a proper job that can translate overseas, save a LOT of money (you will definitely need it in the US) and THEN you can contemplate a move. Right now, it's wishful thinking.
Research, learn, plan.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 June 2010): it will be your own choice as by next year you will be 18 and therefore outside parental control in this country.... but as someone else said i really dont see how you will be able to afford it by then!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 June 2010): No offence but I think your ring ridiculously niave, you knownyou have to apply for a foreign studyying visa, pay for all your living expenses and tuition fees aswell as be really clever for them to let you study over there.
How much are you planning on saving up?! It will be so expensive
your parents will probably just make you see the reality.
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A
female
reader, kitty-cat=] +, writes (25 June 2010):
![kitty-cat=] agony aunt](/avatars/4e276644-588c-43d2-bf37-fe35b92660b5.png) first of all, were do you live now?
America is in a recession... not the best time to move here but, its a great place to live if you know were to go. there are areas i would HATE to live like the city. this is just my opinion but the country is amazing. the scenery is beautiful, the weather is relaxing, and there are less opportunities to get into bad things like drugs. now about your parents, if they care about you as much as you say they do, they can't deny you your dream. if they love you they wouldn't make you stay and be miserable. just tell them this is the start of your life. they can't keep you from growing up. plus, they can visit you all the time. HOPE THIS HELPS!
best of luck, welcome to America!
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A
female
reader, EbonyBlossom +, writes (25 June 2010):
 Really sorry to burst your bubble but, how do you expect to afford to move to America? You haven't had a job, and if you get one, considering your lack of qualifications, it won't be much more than minimum wage. It's really great that you're going to college, but a one year course won't be enough to get you a well paid job. I'd suggest doing a two year course like a BTEC National Diploma, and then maybe consider going to university to do either a Foundation or BA Hons degree. If you want immediate money, perhaps you could do an apprenticeship before uni? If you do really well and get lots of distinctions, you could even consider going to uni in America. But being a student isn't cheap. You need to buy all the equipment for college, food, travel, maybe driving lessons, and anything else you might find yourself buying in the city! It's gonna take you a long time to save up so be realistic. Go to college, go to uni, get a part time job, THEN organise your big move!
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (25 June 2010):
 are you old enough to be allowed to make these decisions on your own? I don't know what would be a good way to talk to your parents if they are protective of you, that is up to you and them. I don't know them. But often, if you have proven yourself to be trustworthy, people will give you more independence.
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A
female
reader, Auntie E +, writes (25 June 2010):
 I need to ask you some questions first before I can move forward. There is some information I need in order to give you my best informed advice. Ok? Why do you want to move to America? Why did you not stay in school? You can either answer me here or private post me. Choice is yours.
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