When trying to choose a university that is right for you, ask yourself what is most important to you? Is it the education program and the reputation of the university? Is it to experience a different country and city? Is it to make new friends and embark on an adventure? For many students, it is probably a combination of all of the above and more. For instance, two universities with similar programs but located on opposite side of the United States are likely to have differ in culture, climate, and things to do outside the classroom.
These are all non-educational factors but will greatly affect how you will enjoy your stay in America. The trick for choosing the right university is to consider all of these factors. We will discuss them below.
Picking the location could be equally important to selecting the university and the major that you are interested in. It will determine the life style that you will be able to live outside the classroom and the opportunities for doing other things you like.
West, Middle or East?
We recommend the West or East cost of the United States. These areas usually offer more cultural diversity and more resources for International Students.
Consider the following factors when you select your university:
Climate – what is the weather like?
City vs. Rural – Larger city, town or countryside.
Outdoor activities available – Sports, shopping, entertainment, nature etc?
Culture – What are people like and what cultural resources are available?
Distance to other cities and sites of interest – How far is it to the beach, ski slope or nearest town?
Distance to your home country – Living on the opposite coast adds time and money when traveling home.
Climate in the USA varies greatly between West, East, North, and South. It is like comparing the northern part of Europe with the southern tip of Spain. What you can do outside of the classroom often depends on which area you pick. It will allow you to continue with the interests that you might have; for example sports or exploring new activities that weren’t possible back home. For instance, if you plan to play golf year round, then Colorado probably shouldn’t be your first pick; but if you are into skiing, it is one of the top spots. In Hawaii you can try out surfing, diving and many other water sports. Hawaii does not, however but does not offer you many of the resources of New York City.
Universities in the United States are located: 1) within the city limits, 2) outside a city or in large community, or 3) in a rural area. When making the selection of city versus rural you should keep in mind what the community around the university has to offer in terms of entertainment, sports, shopping or anything else that you might want to do. There are many resources you can use to find out more about the area and what it has to offer. Try for instance www.CitySearch.com and simply enter in the city or area that you are interested in.
