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Post by Luke Pollard on Feb 25, 2005 16:09:03 GMT
HI againMy long term dream is to open a martial arts school in the USA. I have no idea where, i like to sounds of California and San Deigo but thats only because thats the only place in america that I've ever been! I am considering studying in America at Uni in two years time. I am just wandering if anyone could recommend anywhere, i always made a promise I would never mustle in on someone elses ground, i dont want to steal another instructors students. That might sound a bit vage asking where's good. But is there anyway of finding out, maybe not now but nearer the time, where would be a good place to move to and establish a school??? Does anyone know the requirements for obtaining entry? Well that might not have made sense, if it didnt let me know! Cheers People, you're all great help!! Glad to be part of this ! Luke
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Post by Dave Melton on Feb 26, 2005 2:41:25 GMT
San Diego - beautiful place. For newcomers I would stay away from New York and Los Angeles just because it can be overwhelming and expensive (but great to visit). Where in the U.S.? Yes, it is very vague because it really comes down to what type of environment you like and several questions: City/Big Metropolitan areas? Country/Rural areas? Near a University? What are your long term plans? Do you really want to open a school, only to leave them in 2-5 years? What is your financial situation? Are you coming here with the shirt on your back? Personally, I LOVE Virginia (I am about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.), and I wouldn't even consider moving anywhere else in the U.S. However, there are many places I still want to visit. Requirements for entry? Check out this website: uscis.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#admissionsIf you decide to come near me, I would be happy to help you open your own school and be of any help I could possibly be. Hope this helps...
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Post by Andy "Mr Miyagi" Wright on Feb 26, 2005 9:48:36 GMT
see, having been to just one place, surprisingly enough, i actually really liked rhode island and massachussets.. i am trying to save to get back there....
you know, its personal choice really; whats good for one is not for the other. any area you choose is bound to have some ma's already established. what may help is giving something not already offered..............
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Post by Travis Bowler on Feb 27, 2005 6:34:21 GMT
see, having been to just one place, surprisingly enough, i actually really liked rhode island and massachussets.. i am trying to save to get back there.... Opinion only of course: Maine and Vermont are nice. Dave's little state is also nice but I like being on the coast so thats out . Florida is a hellhole. Humid, synthetic, and gawdy California: LA is the most polluted place I've ever been. The rest of the state is ok. Best thing it has going for it is the weather in the south (which is somewhat similar to where I live in Perth) Chicago: Cold, windy, dirty Detriot: Same as Chicago but worse Rhode Island: nice Boston, MA: nice Colorado: Liked the desert landscapes. But would get bored quickly without the coast.
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Post by Dave Melton on Feb 27, 2005 19:46:05 GMT
So you see - everyone has a different opinion on where - it will come down to what you like. Along the lines of what Travis mentioned - the big cities tends to have not polution, but consider the traffic. It is HORRIBLE in DC. To travel in any metro area it could easily take 1 hour to travel 20 miles. But as you go further inland it tends to get better.
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Post by Luke Pollard on Feb 27, 2005 22:51:10 GMT
San Diego - beautiful place. For newcomers I would stay away from New York and Los Angeles just because it can be overwhelming and expensive (but great to visit). Where in the U.S.? City/Big Metropolitan areas? Country/Rural areas? either, as long as there is a realistic chance of turning full time eventuallyNear a University? not essential unless I went there to do my uni courseWhat are your long term plans? Do you really want to open a school, only to leave them in 2-5 years? I want to move full time, settle and stay permanent, i dont do deresting people!What is your financial situation? Are you coming here with the shirt on your back? Ummm, i live in cornwall, we all earn a lot less down here, so I am not funded greatly but that can always improve, plus being at school or college always sets you backAbout location, the main thing is, nearer the time obviously, i have no idea how i would go about finding an area that has little or no martial arts schools, i dont mind competition, but i dont want to steal students, i want to find somewhere emptyish and expand it. I am also a bit of a tournament go-er, LOL!Personally, I LOVE Virginia (I am about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.), and I wouldn't even consider moving anywhere else in the U.S. However, there are many places I still want to visit. Requirements for entry? Check out this website: uscis.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#admissionsIf you decide to come near me, I would be happy to help you open your own school and be of any help I could possibly be. Hope this helps... But really I've heard getting a work permit can be as difficult as walking through walls at times! can it be done? i have tried looking but always end up finding the sites that say "give us £100 and we'll guarantee you get in....." yeah whatever!
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Post by Dave Melton on Feb 27, 2005 23:12:07 GMT
You know, I don't know much about it. It could also be that you are only 16 years old. So, in the U.S. you are not legally considered an adult until age 18. So you may have some barriers there too.
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Post by Luke Pollard on Feb 28, 2005 8:43:45 GMT
wouldn't go till i was either finished uni @ 21 or 22, or go there for uni at 18. so do you know what they look for? do you know how i would find an area that has a lack of MA? ;D you great help dave, that why you gettin the q's! lol
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Post by Dave Melton on Feb 28, 2005 14:01:08 GMT
Ahh. So you have a few years - you are doing the right thing by planning now. Lack MA? Small rural areas! The only problem is finding the student base to pay for your rent (if you want to go the commercial route). Likewise, many of the Universities are in rural areas, so it may be easier/more cost effective to start a club at the Uni first. Then if you want to stay in the area branch outside the Uni.
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Post by Dave Melton on Mar 1, 2005 0:13:13 GMT
O.K. Got some news from my neighbor friend (mate) who was a U.K. citizen and here is some scoop. I trust his judgement completely because he owns a soccer (football) academy here in the U.S.
Option 1: If you want to come here as a student, you need your "A Levels" and also take S.A.T. tests here (you may have those there too). Then you can apply for a student visa which is good for up to 4 years. With that visa, you can only work 8 weeks/year and a limit of $3500 per year (about 1750 British pounds I think)
Option 2: You can work for someone like me (or any business owner) for up to 16 weeks per year with a temporary visa. I would go through a company like BUNAC in the U.K. who does all the contract work. You may want to contact them for these issues as they would probably know more about the details.
Option 3: Probably the least likely - or as my friend says "they will probably have NO CHANCE of doing this". A) Apply for citizenship in the U.S. (currently an 11 year wait) through I.N.S. or B) Get approval from I.N.S. to start a business here to which you must show them your business plan and invest about $150,000 U.S. dollars
If anyone hears/knows anything different or I am incorrect, please let me know! But my friend is pretty up to date with this stuff since he recruits soccer instructors every year and goes to interview them which he gets about 300 applications and only hires about 20.
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Post by Luke Pollard on Mar 1, 2005 8:02:44 GMT
Cheers Dave Thats great will get on it right away! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Luke Pollard on Mar 1, 2005 8:45:08 GMT
So do you teach full time? so from your last post, about the 8 or 16 week visa's. Do they lead to permanent visas or renewable ones that would allow me to stay?
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Post by Dave Melton on Mar 1, 2005 14:20:21 GMT
Yes - full time indeed. I am MORE than busy because I also have another company which I run semi-full time. The school is only 8 years old, but the other business I have been running for almost 20 years, so it is virtually on "auto-pilot" I believe thhe 16 week visas are only good per year. Remember, your passport and visas have bar codes on them so they know exactly what minute you came into this country and how long you have stayed. One man came here from the U.K. as a visitor and just ended up staying. He was working here for 17 years, and developed a great reputation at a local university. He ended up getting married and had a few kids. When the government caught up to him- he was deported. Eventhough he was married and had kids and developed that reputation with the community, he was here illegally and it caught up to him. My point - don't fool around with this stuff and talk to the right authorities so you get it done right.
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Post by laz on Mar 1, 2005 15:10:26 GMT
I agree that Boston, MA is a nice place, i;ve been there a few times, in the autumn, it very beautiful as there are lots of woods just outside that turn gold and red... anyway, my uncle John works in the states. he says basically one of the easiest (still not easy though) ways to get in, is get a job in the UK, and then ask your company to transfer you over to the states. Though it only begins as a temporary thing as dave said, supposedly, the company can apply to keep you in the states, which is hopefully what i''l be trying to do in a few years, by moving to either sacremento or san hose. at least, i THINK that's what he said...it's all a bit confusing! To work full time in the states, you need a green card i believe. To get a green card, you have to have a full time job. Riiiiight....
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Post by Stuart Anslow on Mar 1, 2005 16:00:52 GMT
Ianyway, my uncle John works in the states. he says basically one of the easiest (still not easy though) ways to get in, is get a job in the UK, and then ask your company to transfer you over to the states. Though it only begins as a temporary thing as dave said, supposedly, the company can apply to keep you in the states, which is hopefully what i''l be trying to do in a few years, by moving to either sacremento or san hose. at least, i THINK that's what he said...it's all a bit confusing! I heard of that.. apparently the company sponsor you and this in turn enables you to work in the Country as an assest to the company! Stuart
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