Cost of living. The cost of living in the United States varies from very expensive (typically it’s housing that is the greatest expense in the higher-priced cities) to incredibly affordable. The trick to finding the right place for your budget for an internship in computer science will involve you researching the focus and size of the company you wish to work for as you consider the cities and states in which these companies offer internships. The most important thing to do is research, so that you’re guaranteed to find the perfect place for you.

Accommodations. While housing is already a hot topic in the consideration for cost of living comparisons, you’ll also want to think about the kind of accommodations you’re looking for. For example, even with a very generous (or even free) housing stipend for some cities (like those in and around the Bay Area or New York City), you’re likely only going to find a very small studio apartment. However, if you’re willing to venture to smaller cities, or even to more sprawling metropolitan areas (often home to data centers and company campuses due to the tax and real estate savings), you might find that you could rent an entire house with a garden and a view for a fraction of what you would spend on that city studio.

Visas. International students and recent graduates seeking internships in the United States require a specialized visa (known as a J-1 Visa). As part of your application process, you will also need to prove your intention to return to your home country following the completion of your internship. There are fifteen different categories of eligibility for J-1 Visas, of which thirteen are privately funded programs. Make sure you connect with the appropriate embassy contacts very early in your exploratory process so that you’re able to have all of the paperwork in order as you move forward with your internship application process.

Safety. In terms of public safety, as a whole, the United States is a reasonably safe country; there are some communities that are so close-knit that people report that they don’t even lock their doors at night, while there are some areas where poverty, homelessness, gang activity, and drug-related crimes pose a threat to public safety. As with any other country, it’s important to do your research and not take any unnecessary risks. Make sure you connect with the community liaisons at your internship sites and find out about transportation and neighborhood organizations that are available to help you get familiar with your surroundings. In general, use common sense and don’t do anything that would make yourself a target in an unfamiliar place.