
Sylvan Thomson
@Sylvan Thomson
English and New Zealander citizen
About me
English and New Zealander
Speaks English
Registration: 14 November 2022
Articles written or translated by Sylvan Thomson

With its globally recognized universities like Carnegie Mellon and U Pitt, Pittsburgh attracts ambitious students from both the US and overseas. But as well as having several world-class universities, Pittsburgh still manages to have a welcoming, local feel. Prospective students will appreciate the affordable cost of living, the diverse cultural makeup, and the access to arts and culture they'll find in this Northeast city. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about moving to Pittsburgh as an international student, from visa questions to the cost of living.
03 July 2025
Austin is an exciting city with amazing cultural diversity and a great arts and live music scene. Its unofficial motto is “Keep Austin Weird”. Foreigners relocating to Austin will be greeted by a healthy economy, a great dining scene, and lots of options in terms of how to spend their leisure time. This guide covers the best areas to live, current rental costs, and what to expect from daily life in Austin.
03 July 2025
The USA is a global economic power house and a huge source of influence worldwide, both politically and via its pop culture exports. Whether you're drawn to its varied and stunning geography, the multicultural cities, or American music, movies, and culture, the US remains one of the most sought after destinations for expatriates of all types. Ambitious professionals, families,and international students are all drawn to the expat experience in America.
03 July 2025
For millions of people, the prospect of living and establishing a life in the USA is a dream. Regarded as the land of freedom and opportunity, the United States currently houses more than 45 million immigrants. This guide breaks down the main ways to get a Green Card, including family ties, employment, the Diversity Visa lottery, and other independent routes. It also outlines what permanent residency means in practice, your rights and responsibilities, and how it can lead to US citizenship.
03 July 2025
The United States is a vast country that is made up of a diverse group of people. Life, landscape, and culture can vary greatly from region to region. In America, you can find deeply religious and conservative communities, progressive modern cities, dramatic mountain landscapes, and arid deserts. Even so, when taken together, it's arguable that a uniquely American lifestyle or character has developed over time that many Americans will recognize. Expats will likely find Americans, in general, to be a friendly, optimistic, and generous bunch. Keep reading for a rundown of some of the tenets of American life and society, but remember these are generalizations, and in a country so huge, there will always be exceptions.
03 July 2025
The United States is a culinary melting pot, with cuisine as diverse as its people. While America does have a reputation as being a haven for fast food and enormous portion sizes, there are also a lot of delicious, healthy, and unique things to be found. Expats in the US should count themselves lucky, as restaurants offer almost every type of international cuisine that can be found in most cities. If not, you're still likely to find the necessary ingredients to prepare your preferred dish at home.
03 July 2025
Driving is the most common method of getting around the United States. Unless you live in a city with efficient public transport, such as New York City or Boston, it's likely you're going to need a car to get around. This article explains the basic rules and requirements for driving in the US.
03 July 2025
Having a baby in the United States as an expat comes with costs, various healthcare logistics, and potential legal considerations. While you do not need to be a US citizen or resident to give birth in the US, it's really important to plan ahead and understand your situation when it comes to health insurance, birth options and visa compliance. The US does offer high-quality care for mothers and babies, but access (and affordability) vary hugely depending on both your insurance coverage and where you choose to give birth.
03 July 2025
Opening a bank account in the US is an important step for managing your finances and is an essential part of moving to a new place. Bank accounts simplify paying bills, receiving your salary, and helping you to establish a credit history. Beyond the practicality of day-to-day financial transactions, a US bank account provides a safe place to keep money that won't incur the conversion charges that continuing to use a foreign bank account involves. Having a bank account with a healthy balance is also something you can use to show potential landlords or creditors that you have a stable financial life in the US.
03 July 2025
Searching for the right accommodation is one of the top concerns when moving to a foreign country. Everything else can fall into place when you have a great place to live—but finding that spot can be tricky, especially when dealing with competitive rental markets and high prices. Wherever it is you are moving to in California, the first decision you will probably need to make is whether to buy or rent. This is a guide to the general process of renting and buying in California.
21 June 2025
Located in the District of Columbia, Washington, DC, is the federal capital of the United States. Being the political heart of America and the home base of some of the most powerful people in the country, it's no surprise that Washington, DC, also boasts some world-class universities. This guide covers everything you need to know about studying in Washington, DC, from visas and housing to tuition fees and campus life.
21 June 2025
It's hard to find a digital nomad out there who doesn't have a road trip through the US on their bucket list. The third-largest country in the world has a lot to offer its visitors — from the thriving innovation-driven environment to the incredible coastline and world-famous sightseeing. Before you hop on the plane, there are a few pesky details to take care of, like sorting out visas and taxes and making sure you've got a good internet connection.
21 June 2025
Lots of people dream about being their own boss and starting their own business. The United States is famous for the "American Dream", the idea that if you have a good idea and work hard, you can be successful. That's why many aspiring entrepreneurs see the US as the perfect place to kickstart their ventures. Fun fact: almost half of the Fortune 500 companies were started by immigrants or their kids.
21 June 2025
Working in the United States is a dream for many people around the world, and an internship can be a very good place to start. Besides advancing the knowledge of your field, an internship in the US will bring many opportunities such as improving your English skills, expanding your professional network, and learning about American business culture.
21 June 2025
Marriage is a contract that commits two people emotionally, legally, and materially. In the US, both same-sex and opposite-sex couples can get married legally. If you want to get married in the United States, first, congratulations on finding love. Even if you are not a country resident, you can still get married here. However, it is very important that you know and understand all the related proceedings.
21 June 2025
If you're planning to travel to the United States for the first time, you should know several important things about entry requirements and the travel process. Although requirements may differ depending on where you are traveling from and what kind of passport you hold, we've collected some information to ensure your arrival in the USA is as smooth as possible.
21 June 2025