I am currently stufying in Nepal in grade 12. I am planning to go to US for my undergraduate studies. Since I am from middle class family my parents can't afford money for my studies so I will certainly have to work there for my expenses and univestiy fee. But if i stay here in Nepal my parents can afford to send me to the best colleges here in nepal. So should I stay in Nepal or try going to US

* HELP WANTED FROM PEOPLE CURRNTLY STUDYING IN US

Come to the US if you get a scholarship/grant.. don't reply on paying for your college working on campus or outside (working outside is illegal and you can get in trouble if caught). Finding a job is hard and is not certain... so you can't rely on it.

Good luck.

My advice is:

Please go to 4 year college in Nepal for your undergraduate studies. In the mean time keep reading GRE (it is little bit harder at the first time) if you want  to go to USA for studies.Take GRE, and TOEFL in your final year there and start applying for Masters or Ph.D program in USA. The universities in USA have Teching or research assistant positions for graduate students. After 4 year of hard work you can get a degree and hopefully a good job in early age. But, if you go right now, life is very difficult and who knows, you may not be able to complete studies forever. 

Hope it helps.

Hi doop_3,

First let me ask you couple of questions:
1. How is your study in grade 11 and 12? Did you do good in SLC? - If these are good, I suggest you to do TOEFL and SAT as well and apply for scholarship.
2. Have you thought about what you are going to study? What will you major in? - People often change minds when they starting going to school. Choose the subject that interest you most - don't study medicine because your parents wants you to be a doctor.
3. Working and Paying for undergraduate is difficult in US. You are not suppose to work outside the school. However you can get work permit (citing financial difficulties after 1 year) which will help you work outside legally 20hrs during schooling and 40hrs a week during vacation. - Working and studying in Undergraduate is tough (maybe it will be bit easy in freshman and sophomore years - but that is if you get job right away). Personally I wouldn't suggest you working more than 20 hrs during schooling.
4. How bad do you want to come to US? - US is not what people talk about in Nepal. US is land of freedom, dreams do come true but it takes time and effort. It won't happen in months and maybe even in years.

I think the main question is how do you want to see your life be in 20 years from now, and how strong you are mentally and physically?

I am not trying to disappoint you but life in US during undergraduate years are like life of dogs in Kathmandu streets or maybe even worse (unless you get scholarship or just transfer to community college and work in gas station, maybe then ride BMW or Mercedes but then again you are working in gas station for rest of your life)

It is much easier and less painful to come to US for Master's or Ph.D. But it doesn't mean you should not at all come to US for undergraduate degree.

"KEEP IN MIND, AFTER YOU COME TO US AND DURING YOUR UNDERGRAD YEARS - EVERYDAY YOU WAKE UP - YOU WAKE UP WITH A PROBLEM THAT YOU NEED TO SOLVE ON YOUR OWN"
If you can do this and don't get depress too often, I would say come to US - doesn't matter what happens - you will find the way out!

I had written an article on this a while ago. It contains a few of my views, and a few resources that I consider helpful.

Well don't just look on one side of the coin and don't forget there are two sides in a coin. There are always advantages and disadvantages where ever you go. It all depends on u. I think life in US is not too bad. I didn't had any schorlarship but I finised my undergrad from a good university, not only me all my friends did. Student life is little struggling in US but its worth it. You stand in your own legs, u don't have to depend upon your parents for finances. Just think how you feel when you finance yourself for you biggest degree of your life. Your parents will be proud of what you did. Its the experience of life not just being comfort at home. If you wanna be really mature and work hard , study hard, US is the right place. Different people have different life but what i ve seen in my friends circle is okay. By the time you graduate u r ready to go.

Bro,

I came here for my Undergraduate. I believe that if you come in Undergraduate you will be overshadowed by the loans.. credit card payments.. depression and all that stuff but the time you enjoy having all those stuff with you and being responsible is priceless. You will be proud of yourself if you get through all these times. And regarding the JOB after your studies, its really hard because over here JOB security is so bad right now even though for the American Citizens.

If you come here in Graduate Masters. then the chances will  be less loan, and you will be glad that you finish your Masters in time with less payments and chances will be high for getting the JOBS. but as i have told you earlier it will be hard to get the job with the masters as well in this market right now but it is not impossible.  

So, that's my point of View. I came here in Undergrad. I am happy that i became responsible at the age of 19 and knew the value of money.

walkahead...

I scored 80% in my SLC and hopefull i will get most As in my A-level exam. I am serious about my future and want do well in life studying. I dont want to work in gastation all my life so my question is that will I be able to study in US and achieve my dream. Also is it good taking a year gap after completion of my +2. Tough I have already preapred for TOEFL and will be appering it within a month. My point is that if I take a year gap than I will have to go for 4 years graduation program in US which means it will take me 5 years to complete undergraduation  whereas it will only take 3 years to graduate in Nepal. A year diference does not matter but 2 years is too much.

Your study grades look fine and should be a plus point if you do well on TOEFL and SAT (if you plan to take this as well). SAT is mostly considered for scholarship evaluation. You won't need to work in gas station at all if you choose not to (consider working in school for 20 hrs) and be active with professors and other programs at school which might help you land internship within sophomore year. 

Correct me if I am wrong, you will be graduating from A level this year (and since the application deadline for undergraduate are closed, you are planning to apply for next fall). If you can make it, you can apply for spring semester (which has some benefits since summer will be only 4-5 months - gives you some lag time to earn money for next semester). If not, apply for fall semester next time (meanwhile prepare for SAT test, which will be a plus point for application and scholarship consideration)

You mentioned it takes only 3 years for undergrad in Nepal. This might be a bit hassle when you apply for grad school in US (most of the grad school in US does not consider 3 year undergrad in Nepal as a well-planned degree, so you might end up taking more liberal classes or other topics while in grad school which in turn will add a year or so in your grad school). It will be about the same if you study in Nepal or in US in terms of year. If you are concerned about study year - don't be.

Think about other variables and aspects of life as well. Coming and studying in US helps you tremendously in standing in your own legs (makes you a proud man once you are done with your degree) - since you will be doing everything yourself. If you stay in Nepal, you are leaning towards your family and friends for help. You won't grow up as fast as if you were in US.

Struggle and suffering in US helps you become a better person if you chose to be. Success after years of pain and depression in US makes you feel proud and happy. By the time you finish your undergrad you learn tons of real life challenge which benefits you in long term. You don't get this in Nepal.

Always Remember
"Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition
you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the
struggle against overwhelming odds."
Orison Swett Marden

Don't come here for undergrad unless you get good scholarhips. Try for Masters. Its much easier.

Currently in USA and this is what I told to my brother who asked me same question? Bro Bachelors is all about studying and if you come to US without scholarship, its not gonna be about study anymore. It's gonna be more about work, money, party, etc....and at the end about study. So don't get too much attracted by American lifestyle or pictures of students in America, partying and stuff. But at least complete Bachelors in Nepal, so you can pay full attention studying. Then for Masters you can come to USA. Your life will be lot less distracted.

Well, this is the land of opportunity and how much you can garb is only known when you land here. 

If you have lots of money then stay in Nepal if not come to the US to try out your luck and skills.

I disagree with grgDai:  If your parents have lot of money that is for you as the ownership passes. Now it is you what you want to do with it? No matter what you want to do investment in education ( knowledge) is the best and if you do not acquire it on time you will not get it in your life time.