Hello! USA: Everyday Living for International Residents and Visitors [Paperback]

Judy Priven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

A guide to everyday living for international visitors and residents, Hello! USA answers practical questions newcomers need to know in order to get adjusted quickly. It includes information and advice about visas and other immigration documents, choosing a new home, traveling in and out of the country, choosing a school or day care, shopping, learning English, social and business customs, medical care, insurance, taxes, tax-advantaged investments, and buying or leasing a car.

The "Words to Know" section at the end of every chapter explains American terms that even native English speakers from other countries might not know.

"...provides the key to understanding American life and language." Joanne Garrity, Office Administrator, Volunteer Services, the World Bank

"When I first read Hello! USA, I felt as though I had a friend in my hand...It will make my transition to the U.S. so much easier." Monica Todd, Diplomatic Spouse, Embassy of Australia

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...explains American terms that even native English speakers from other countries might not know." -- Midwest Book Review, February 1998

"Nothing is omitted from this relatively small, simply-written, and easy to read handbook...." -- Mobility Magazine, August, 1997

From the Author

Many readers have asked me why I decided to write Hello! USA. Actually, I got the idea while teaching English as a Second Language to adults in my private tutoring service. All my students-even those who had been here for a year or more-were full of questions about American life. I spent hundreds-maybe thousands-of hours tracking down information for them. And I imagined how frustrating this process would be for someone who is unfamiliar with American life, who doesn't know our lingo, and who has no inside contacts to turn to for advice. So I compiled everything I had learned into one, complete book.

After I began writing the manuscript, I invited a group of international newcomers to review my work. They used to come every two weeks and gather around the large table in my office. All of them thought the book needed to be "friendly" and easy to read. So I began putting in lots of illustrations and maps that gave information with a quick glance. Later, the group read each chapter and offered suggestions about what to add and what to take out.

Today, many years later, Hello! USA has received much praise in the media and from its many readers. I believe its success is due to that first group of international newcomers who gathered around my office table and told me what they needed to know. Hello! USA is really their book as much as mine. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Hello! Amer Inc; 1st edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963563327
• ISBN-13: 978-0963563323
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,617,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moving to America? New to the States? Here's your compass., April 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hello! USA: Everyday Living for International Residents and Visitors (Paperback)

I found this an easy to read and well thought out introduction to everyday life here in the States. Perfect for everyone from corporate transferees from abroad, to the international student coming to America for the very first time. This book helps you get better oriented to American life in many practical ways, and helps make new arrivals feel more at home. I certainly recommend buying the book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very useful, March 18, 2006

By 

angie (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hello! USA: Everyday Living for International Residents And Visitors (Paperback)

The book was useful as we are locating from overseas to Los Angeles and it gave us an insight into lots of specifics about living in America

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for all New Comers to the US, July 17, 2002

By 

France J. Pruitt (Bethesda, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hello! USA: Everyday Living for International Residents and Visitors (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Even though the first edition of Hello USA was attractively presented, and very thorough, the presentation of the second edition is even crisper and the content is even more inviting to the readers. Some welcome additions are website addresses, chapter heading on each page, and references for the Author's Favorites. Suggesting for example the length that food should be kept in the refrigerator is a welcome addition for someone not used to the American kitchen and to the products available in the stores.

The technology has changed since 1996 and the book reflects these changes like the wording used for the credit cards from credit cards become more popular to credit cards can now be used.

The discussion on the intensive English programs is more generic and therefore offers more possibilities to the readers.

I would highly recommend distributing this manual to newcomers. Reading Hello USA would certainly prevent many puzzling and anxious moments to newcomers to the US.