Northeastern University - Silicon Valley
Travel guide for Indian students — San Jose, United States. Nearest international gateway: SFO (San Francisco).
Northeastern University's Silicon Valley campus is a graduate campus in downtown San Jose, offering master's degrees in AI, information systems, computing and engineering with Northeastern's signature co-op (experiential learning) model. It draws many Indian students aiming for Silicon Valley tech careers.
The campus is in the heart of downtown San Jose (4 N. 2nd Street / 75 E. Santa Clara St). San Jose Mineta International (SJC) is the closest airport at about 4-5 miles; San Francisco International (SFO), ~37 miles north, is the larger international gateway for flights from India.
Northeastern's Silicon Valley campus is graduate-focused, with master's programs in AI, information systems and computing and co-op placements at companies like Apple, Salesforce and Expedia. Its downtown San Jose location puts students in the centre of the tech economy.
Two airports - which to use
SJC (Mineta San Jose) is only about 4-5 miles from the downtown campus - the easiest option if you can route through it. SFO is ~37 miles north and is where most international flights from India arrive; from SFO, reach downtown San Jose via BART to Berryessa then VTA, or via Caltrain to Diridon Station.
From SJC to campus
From SJC, the downtown campus is a short rideshare or taxi ride, or take VTA Bus 60 to the light rail and ride into downtown San Jose. The campus sits among VTA light rail and bus stops in the city centre.
Getting around Silicon Valley
Downtown San Jose is well connected by VTA light rail and bus, Caltrain (at Diridon Station) up the Peninsula, and BART at Berryessa - useful for reaching other Bay Area tech hubs and co-op sites.
Visiting your child at Northeastern Silicon Valley? San Jose (SJC) is closest at ~4-5 miles; most international flights arrive at San Francisco (SFO), ~37 miles north. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.
Getting from SFO to campus
Visitor visa for parents
Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.
- Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
- You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
- The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
- Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.
Just admitted to Northeastern Silicon Valley? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India. The downtown San Jose campus is ~4-5 miles from SJC; most India flights arrive at SFO.
Arrival checklist
- Prefer a connection into SJC (San Jose) if you can - the downtown campus is only ~4-5 miles away.
- If arriving at SFO, plan the BART + VTA or Caltrain route into downtown San Jose.
- As a graduate student, ask the campus about co-op and career resources early - they are central to Northeastern's model.
- Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
- Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.
The Bay Area is among the costliest US regions, with tech-driven rents - figure roughly $2,000-2,900 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The money-saving move here is geography: the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland) runs noticeably cheaper than San Francisco itself, and a spot near BART lets you skip a car entirely. University housing is the simplest first-year route.
Monthly cost of living in San Jose (a student estimate)
That's roughly $24,000-35,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.
Finding accommodation
Bay Area rents are very high. Most international students share apartments and rely on BART, Caltrain or campus shuttles; university housing is the simplest first-year route.
- Live near a BART/Caltrain station to commute without a car; many campuses offer discounted transit passes.
- The East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland) gives the best balance of cost and access for UC Berkeley students.
- Apply for university housing early - Bay Area private rentals are competitive and need a guarantor/credit history.
Working part-time
On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.
Safety & student support
The Bay Area is generally safe in campus and residential areas, but as in any big city, safety varies by neighbourhood and time of day - research the specific area.
- UC Berkeley, San Jose State and other campuses run security escorts, safety apps and night shuttles - use them after dark.
- Property crime (car break-ins, phone snatching) is the most common issue across the Bay - don't leave valuables visible.
- Stick to well-populated, well-lit routes at night and travel with others where possible.
Indian community & food
The Bay Area has one of the largest Indian communities in the US, centred on Fremont and the South Bay - groceries, temples and restaurants are abundant.
Indian grocery stores
- Fremont Blvd in Fremont - the Bay's 'Little India' strip, packed with Indian supermarkets and restaurants.
- New India Bazar and Namaste Plaza across the South Bay (Sunnyvale, San Jose).
- Bombay Bazar and Vik's-area grocers in Berkeley/Oakland for East Bay students.
Student community
- UC Berkeley and San Jose State have large, active Indian/South Asian student associations and major cultural events.
- Fremont and the South Bay host big Diwali and Holi celebrations drawing students from across the region.
- Extensive Indian dining in Fremont, Sunnyvale, Berkeley and San Jose.
Cost & living figures for San Jose last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.
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