What Is Roam? Simplifying International Student Life In The US.

Hey there!

You’ve probably seen us around - maybe on Instagram, read one of our newsletters, or joined one of Roam’s WhatsApp Community groups. But like… what actually is Roam? What do we do, and why are thousands of international students trusting us?

Let us officially introduce ourselves.

What Is Roam?

Moving to a new country is exciting - but let’s be honest, it can also be confusing, expensive, and a little overwhelming. Roam exists to change that.

We’re a one-stop resource built for international students, by international students. Our mission? To simplify the move to the U.S. and make sure you feel supported every step of the way - from visa day to beyond graduation.

We started Roam because we lived this experience ourselves. And we’re building the platform we wish we had when we first moved abroad. We primarily do this through our website which serves as a marketplace that brings together all the essentials you need to get set up in the US such as - bank account, SIM Card, Health Insurance, etc. No more choosing expensive plans or asking seniors!

Why We Started Roam

Our founders, Krish (India), Ansh (Dubai), and Adler (USA), met as students in New York and quickly realized that the international student journey was way harder - and more expensive - than it needed to be.

There were too many services to research. Too much information. Too many documents to figure out. Too many moments of “am I doing this right?”

So they built Roam: A platform built to guide, support, and empower international students through every stage of the journey - offering not just services, but real solutions.

🌍 The Roam Marketplace

Roam’s website is a marketplace for international student essentials. We bring together the most reliable and affordable services across every major category you’ll need to get started in the U.S: phone plans, health insurance, bank accounts, housing, tax filing, meal subscriptions, accredited online college courses and more.

These are services we’ve personally vetted and negotiated just for international students like you. You can compare your options and get set up in minutes - no confusion or stress.

🧠 Sonia: The AI-Powered Visa Interview Coach

The first tool we launched was Sonia, an AI bot that helps you prep for your visa interview using the real details from your I-20. It simulates questions, helps you practice answers, and even uses voice-to-text to make it feel like the real thing. (No data stored - we respect your privacy.)

Sonia was created because we know how stressful the F-1 interview can be. Hundreds of students have used it to pass their interviews with confidence.

💬 Roam Connect: Find A Friend

Over the past year, our Instagram community has grown into one of the largest international student networks in the U.S. But we kept hearing the same thing:
“I wish I could find someone from my hometown who’s also going to my college.”

So we built Roam Connect to do exactly that.

Now, students and parents can instantly connect with other international students through their socials based on: school or major, country of origin, and academic year. Whether you’re looking for roommates, trying to set up emergency contacts, or just want to find familiar faces before arriving - Roam Connect makes it easy.

This isn’t just about safety. It’s about belonging. And it’s available for free, right now.

 🔗 The Roam Newsletter

You're reading it right now :) Each week, we send helpful, tailored content to over 5,000+ students, segmented into:

• Incoming Students (like you!)

• Current Students

• Graduates on OPT/STEM OPT

Not an incoming international student? Fill out this quick survey so we can send you tailored content based on where you’re at in your international student journey.

🧠 1:1 Mentorship Calls

Sometimes, Google isn’t enough. That’s why we offer a 30-minute 1:1 mentorship call with international student professionals who get it. Whether you're confused about next steps, need advice, or career guidance - we’ve been there, and we’ll help you move forward.

(We also offer free 15-minute concierge calls to help you get set up with any of our partner services.)

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

📚 Our Partnership with UPI Study: Save Thousands on Tuition

We’ve teamed up with UPI Study, an accredited platform that offers U.S. college courses starting at just $300 (exclusively through Roam)- with guaranteed credit transfer at over 2,100 universities.

This partnership is already saving students over $3,500 per course, and it’s perfect for:

• Getting ahead before college starts

• Fulfilling degree requirements faster

• Strengthening grad school or visa applications

If you’re serious about saving money on your U.S. degree, schedule a free advising call and we’ll help you check if your school accepts credits.

We’re Not Just A Company. We’re A Community.

Roam is growing because international students like you trust us, recommend us, and share us with friends. We now have:

• 34.7K+ Instagram followers

• 5,100+ newsletter readers

• 850+ students in our Fall 2025 WhatsApp community

• A global team of engineers, designers, creators and educators behind the scenes

We’re not just building tools. We’re building your experience - and we’re in this for the long haul.

So, what is Roam?

We’re more than a marketplace. We’re a platform, a support system, a student-led movement to make studying in the U.S. easier, more affordable, and a lot less lonely.

You’ve already done the hard part - getting into college. We’re here to help with everything that comes after. So whether you’re figuring out how to pay tuition, what to pack, or how to make friends abroad - just know this:

You’re not alone. You’re roaming with us.

Welcome to Roam. You’ve found your people.

Best,
The Roam Growth Team 🧡