Berkeley, on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is home to UC Berkeley, one of the world's best public universities. With its intellectual, free-spirited atmosphere, it is an inspiring place for students with academic goals.
Some of the language schools NGGlobal offers in Berkeley:
In Berkeley you can book short courses of 1-2 weeks. On an intensive program, one English level usually takes 8-12 weeks. Reaching the TOEFL score American universities ask for usually needs a 6-12 month plan, depending on your starting level.
The biggest factor in the price is the length of your booking: the weekly fee drops noticeably for bookings of 12 weeks or more. Besides tuition, budget for items such as the registration fee, materials and the I-20 document fee for an F-1 visa. NGGlobal students can take advantage of the schools' seasonal offers.
At most language schools courses start every Monday, though some programs have set start dates. Because US visa appointment waiting times can be long, we recommend applying for long programs at least 4-6 months ahead.
Long-term, intensive language study requires an F-1 visa. The application calls for the school's I-20, the SEVIS fee receipt, the DS-160 form, proof of funds and documents showing your ties to Turkey. Visa interviews take place at the embassy in Ankara or the consulate general in Istanbul.
Opportunities to work in America during language study are almost non-existent, and working in breach of visa rules can lead to visa cancellation and refusal of future applications. Prepare a budget that covers your course and living costs from the start.
Demand for accommodation in Berkeley is high because of university students, so homestays are both practical and good for your English.
Living costs in Berkeley are high but slightly more reasonable than in San Francisco. Student cafés and events around campus are budget-friendly.
BART trains connect Berkeley easily to San Francisco and Oakland, and buses and bikes are common within the city.
Berkeley has a mild climate, with summers a little warmer than San Francisco's and cool, rainy winters.
The nearest airports are San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK). Direct flights from Istanbul to SFO take about 13 hours, and BART connects to Berkeley.
Because the US uses daylight saving time, the time difference changes with the season: Berkeley is 11 hours behind Turkey in winter and 10 hours behind in summer. Plan calls home accordingly.
You can decide with NGGlobal which school, course and type of accommodation suit you best. We follow the whole process for you, from application and visa interview to arrival.
Yes. BART trains reach downtown San Francisco in about 30 minutes.
Some schools are centrally located close to campus, so students experience the university atmosphere up close.
No. Schools run beginner courses, and a placement test on your first day puts you in the right class.
No. F-1 students at language schools cannot work off campus, and working on a tourist visa is prohibited.
Because of visa appointment times, we recommend applying at least 4-6 months ahead for long programs, and 1-2 months ahead for short courses on a tourist visa, depending on your visa status.
Apply now for undergraduate and graduate programs in Italy offered in both English and Italian and take advantage of opportunities for scholarships and tuition-free education.
Let Us Call You
You can have our study abroad consultants contact you by filling out the contact form below.
