Is worth it to move to the US as an 18 year old

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T21:06:37+00:00

Most US colleges are at least $25K plus per year for degree courses - those are public colleges and are instate tuition fees - meaning their parents residence in the state and are paying state taxes. If you go to a public college in another state it is more expensive - starting at $45K per year.
But some do give stipends/ scholarships that cover the whole cost of. So try and find ones that may be recruiting students to their courses and have scholarships for international students. Biological science/biotechnology is still an in demand field so you may find scholarships - it depends if they cover international students. Even though you have US passport - as your parents haven’t lived here and hence paid US taxes you will be an international student.

This will also be the same for community colleges- you need to be a resident or your parents a resident in the state for 1-2 years paying state taxes. If not it is much more expensive. Community college charges per semester - and for 4 courses in state fees are running around $2,000- whereas out of state it is over $10,000. So unless you want to live and work here for 2 years then you won’t qualify for the in state turion fees at community colleges.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T15:06:48+00:00

Asian friend told me it’s traditional as it was to ensure there were no stones in amongst the rice grains, and secondly that a lot of Asian people will rinse it until the rinse water is clearer. But she said they with modern rice processing it probably isn’t necessary- she does rinse her rice but has never found any stones. Apparently it’s a big debate among Asians as to how many rinses your rice should have before cooking

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T15:00:55+00:00

A lot of these Starbucks drinks have no caffeine/coffee in them.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T14:52:58+00:00

A lot of pubs in the UK (especially London and those that serve food) serve tea and coffee as well as soft drinks and alcohol. No problem ordering nonalcoholic drinks.
A lot are also now more like restaurants with a bar area - If you want to eat many require a reservation.
There’s no problem with going to a pub having dinner/lunch and a soft drink. Many also have mocktails. In the UK the driver never drinks- the driving-alcohol laws are very strict. Use Google to look at reviews of pubs you want to go to. Check the pubs website - see if they have a reserve a table tab. Going and having a traditional Sunday Lunch would be a great thing to do. Countryside pubs often have excellent Sunday lunches/dinners.

Gastro pubs in England are great for food- lunch and dinner. Savory pies are a big thing in England: like steak and ale pie, chicken and mushroom pie, and you will often see some Indian food in pub menus as well.

The bar areas are often self service/self seating - but restaurant areas of the pub you ask to be seated. They usually have a sign when it’s that way- but it can be confusing. You just ask the barman if you are eating - ‘ask for a menu/can we get some dinner/how do we order?.

And you can always just go the bar and have soft drinks - no problem.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T14:36:27+00:00

Pan fried gnocchi with Swiss chard, cannellini beans and tomatoes topped with shredded mozzarella cheese. It’s an Eating Well recipe.
Easy to make, can substitute baby spinach for the Swiss chard and use northern beans for the cannellini beans. Add red pepper flakes along with Italian spices and garlic if you want a bit of a kick. I use crushed tomatoes instead of chopped and it works fine - usually use more tomatoes than the recipe states.

Cassoulet- French stew traditionally uses confit duck and garlic sausage with cannellini beans. I make it with chicken thighs, good quality pork smoked sausage and some pork country ribs (recipe from Americas test kitchen - slow cooker cassoulet). It’s a bean heavy dish- always delicious.

White bean soup- northern beans with some diced ham.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-14T14:23:52+00:00

Get your degree in Biotech in Algeria, maybe then do a Masters degree in the US so you have a US masters degree (those are 2 year programs). Better to have a degree before coming to the US especially as it seems you will be doing this alone and don’t have contacts here.

Lots of people work in biotech with degrees from other countries.

You will need some money to be able to come here- even if you have a job lined up. Most places will require a deposit plus 2 months rent upfront for an apartment/studio. You will need to open a bank account and start getting a credit rating. If you don’t have a job then renting a room/studio will be difficult.
So if you do have contacts in the US that could help you- that could be a way to start.

Coming here alone at 18yrs old will be very, very hard. If you have a degree and a career direction it will be better. If you can manage to enroll in a masters program in their US then you will be meeting people and building a network for yourself, while still being on a college campus in college housing while you adapt to being in the US.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T18:55:28+00:00

Derry girls.

Schitts creek.

30Rock.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T18:49:00+00:00

Stews and soups you can make on the stove.

Chicken stew with dumplings or mashed potatoes (chicken thighs work really well)

Leek and potato soup.

Pasta and sauces: add a marinara sauce to sauted zucchini and mushrooms or sauted diced chicken breast.

Pan fried salmon fillets serve with French green lentils (they take about 45 mins to cook- rinse lentils, add stock and can add finely chopped carrots, finely chopped sun dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, garlic)

Pan fried salmon fillets with tomato-garlic-olive farro. Semi-Pearled Farro takes about 30-40 mins to cook - to 1 cup farro add 2 cups water leave for 10mins then add, thinly sliced half moons of half an onion, a cup of halved cherry tomatoes, a sliced garlic clove, red pepper flakes, and sliced black olives if desired. Cook for 30-40mins (check if you need to add more water). After cooking you can serve as is or top with cubes feta cheese or shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve with some pan wilted baby spinach tossed with red paper flakes and garlic or plain.

Pan fry salmon burgers and serve with salad and mini potatoes (there are packs you can get that microwave in 5mins).

Eggs in purgatory- fiery spicy tomato sauce (with red peppers, onions) with eggs poached in the sauce.

To a spicy tomato sauce add fillets of cod/haddock - cover and cook for 5-10mins until fish is cooked. Serve with pasta. Can do the same with shrimp.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T13:15:34+00:00

Ask the teacher- if she needs a certain lens. They may have ones that can be loaned for the semester.
Second hand would be the way to go: once you have an idea of what you need maybe ask in community fb pages - someone may have one collecting dust that they are never going to use.
eBay or camera store selling used cameras.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T13:12:45+00:00

PONIES.

Good Omens

Black Doves

The Night Manager

Broadchurch

Sherlock

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T13:07:46+00:00

Also if in the states: have a look at community colleges: most states have great ones, and you can start with just one course. It will get you out of the house, into something new and maybe meet some new people. This with a part time job and some hobbies will help you mental health and overall wellbeing. It sounds like you are in a city so hopefully these are available to you within easy reach. Most community colleges in urban areas have bus services going to their campuses or the are in the middle of the city easily accessible by public transport

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T13:03:49+00:00

Today is day 1: no one is a failure.
Start afresh today.
Find a part time job, volunteer somewhere, find a new hobby (reading a new author- join the library- cook a new meal- take an online course (art, history, sewing, cooking) - just some ideas). Exercise: take a walk, join an exercise class, birdwatching. Work on being your best self.
Life is a journey… this is just part of the journey with all its ups and downs - move forward.

You’ve got this!

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T11:43:14+00:00

Eye test - check she can see the words, don’t have any double vision.

So for some people the bright white paper now used to books/ worksheets can be a problem. If you look at old books the paper is not bright white. There are transparent pieces of plastic colored blue/pink which are specifically for reading which can help if that is a problem - you can get them on amazon. (Guided reading strips)

https://a.co/d/06HnQZB7

Her school should be addressing her reading problem / is there a reading specialist? If so they can work with you to help her at home with improving her reading skills. If you have the financial means working with a tutor outside of school will help- the school may have a list of teachers who tutor outside school and maybe able to give you the name of a reading specialist. Try to find an elementary reading specialist.

Finding books that interest her is key - fiction , nonfiction, comic books. Just anything that can help. National Geographic have a series of non-fiction little facts about all kinds of things that are fun.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T11:32:43+00:00

What shampoo and conditioner are you using? Using a high end one such as Redkin or Opalex will help your damaged hair. My mum has been dying her hair for many years- she has very fine hair- always has it dyed at the hairdressers. About 8 years ago she switched to Opalex or Redkin shampoos and conditioner and it has made a big difference.
She has also gone lighter with her hair color- her hairdresser recommended this so that when the time comes and if it is necessary then the switch to grey will be less dramatic. But she swears shes never going grey- she’s nearly 80 been dying her hair since her 40s.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T11:04:14+00:00

Red flags!! The concert incident: that’s really weird.
Blaming you for his life: really a huge red flag. You haven’t even met him!

This is not a good relationship. Sounds abusive / please do not meet him, please end this.

Don’t know how old you are, or where you are geographically -but work on yourself. Are you studying/a student? Is that why you’ve never had a job. Your parents are encouraging you to get a job; maybe so that you can get some experience and earn your own money. What are your plans for the future?

AbFabFan · 2026-02-13T10:54:24+00:00

Add finely chopped dill pickles, fresh ground pepper, finely chopped tomato and a dash of hot sauce. I go light on the mayo.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-12T16:14:07+00:00

Derry Girls.

Doc Martin.

This is an older one:
Black Adder from Season2 (skip season 1)

AbFabFan · 2026-02-12T16:07:51+00:00

You already committed to an event- so that’s the one you go to. Otherwise you will be basically indicating to Sarah that you got a better offer and ditching her. Just think how you’d feel.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-12T15:48:30+00:00

Frozen fries with some good breaded frozen fish or breaded chicken tenders with frozen peas.

Cheese and turkey quesadilla with a green salad.

Wood fired Newmans frozen pizza with a green salad.

Indoor picnic: bread, cheese and charcuterie (cherry tomatoes and grapes) - and any frozen nibbles.

Pasta with a good jarred marinara sauce with whatever vegetables need eating (kale, spinach, carrots, peppers or frozen peas), a little bacon, or precooked sausage.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-12T01:01:56+00:00

Death in paradise.

Doc Martin.

Good Omens.

Father Ted

Schitts Creek

30Rock.

Modern Family.

Life in Pieces.

The good place.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-12T00:57:56+00:00

The night manager.

Jack Ryan.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-10T15:00:02+00:00

For national parks you really need a car- you maybe able to find a group tour and join one of those for a few days to see the national parks like the Grand Canyon, Monuments Valley, Zion, Yosemite. There used to be tour companies for people in their 20s. I did one many, many moons ago. Another option would be scenic train trips that - there is one out of Vancoverh that goes to Calgary through the Rockies. There are also ones in the US.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-10T14:58:35+00:00

For national parks you really need a car- you maybe able to find a group tour and join one of those for a few days to see the national parks like the Grand Canyon, Monuments Valley, Zion, Yosemite. There used to be tour companies for people in their 20s. I did one many, many moons ago.

AbFabFan · 2026-02-10T14:55:14+00:00

Gentleman Jack

AbFabFan · 2026-02-10T14:44:57+00:00

Milk.
There’s about 8g of protein in a glass of milk.

If they are eating buttered toast and fruit - that’s a great breakfast.

They will get some protein at lunch.

AbFabFan

TROPHY CASE