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Where should I study (in the US)?!?!
hoopymo
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok so I have the opportunity to enter into a "Study Abroad" program hosted by my English university, to go to an University in the States.
So far there's a fair few Unis in America that are partnered with mine, here's a list:
I'd be studying History, and I quite want to experience America from a student lifestyle. Now I realise it won't all be American Pie and "Greek" and whatnot, but I've been told that it is to some extent.
Right now I'm thinking about going for William and Mary, because it's near D.C. but not quite in it and I've heard it's a good Uni. Was also toying with the idea of Kansas.
Please help! All your input is appreciated, especially since I don't know that much about it and I'd hate to end up trapped somewhere bad because I didn't really know much about the place!
So far there's a fair few Unis in America that are partnered with mine, here's a list:
American University
Washington DC
Augustana College
Sioux Falls,
South Dakota
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, Iowa
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Montana State University
Boseman, Montana
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
College of William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
Washington DC
Augustana College
Sioux Falls,
South Dakota
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, Iowa
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Montana State University
Boseman, Montana
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
College of William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
I'd be studying History, and I quite want to experience America from a student lifestyle. Now I realise it won't all be American Pie and "Greek" and whatnot, but I've been told that it is to some extent.
Right now I'm thinking about going for William and Mary, because it's near D.C. but not quite in it and I've heard it's a good Uni. Was also toying with the idea of Kansas.
Please help! All your input is appreciated, especially since I don't know that much about it and I'd hate to end up trapped somewhere bad because I didn't really know much about the place!
hoopymo on
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As for "near DC", its a good 2-3 hour drive in one direction.
Other than that, theres not much to do for miles around. I'd highly recommend a vehicle - either rented or leased.
To put things in perspective, England has an area of about 50,000 sq mi, and Virginia has an area of about 42,000 sq mi. The US is BIG.
Of all of the universities you listed, I think you'll get the richest experience at American. It's a very good school, you'll be in DC, and you can easily take the train to Philadelphia, NYC or even Boston if you want. I have no idea what the "college experience" is like there, but it certainly can't be worse than at any of the other schools.
William and Mary as a Followup, but it's pretty goddamn desolate around there.
Well, amongst the large universities, who really cares? I mean Iowa State is indeed in Ames, but it is also a university with roughly 30,000 students many of them from the Twin Cities and Chicago. With that many people you aren't going to be lacking things to do, especially over the course of a semester or year or whatever the transfer term is.
Not that I am saying ISU is a perfect fit, but it is a large school with a beautiful campus in an area you may not otherwise visit and about which Europeans seem to have a lot of misconceptions. I wouldn't go to like Augustana or the like, because they aren't as large and you might get bored.
Hell, its very name implies that's where you should be going, right? :P
Also, I don't know what the hell Deebaser is talking about saying American is the only school in "civilization". High density urban area != civilization.
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Also what about matching your academic ability to a college? no reason to skip the history over there while you're learning...
If you do W&M, the long drive to DC thing means you visit DC exactly twice.
God no. No one likes kansas.
It'll be just like England, only without the soccer riots!
You are going to get very different experiences being in a big city like DC or denver or even albequrque than in a college town (Ames or Lawrence). It sounds like you are interested in the college town experience. It is probably the stereotypical American student experience but it is very different from the not-in-college American experience.
How big is your college? Do you want something similar or are you interested in going someplace with 30,000 college students in one place?
Depends on what you mean by "American Student Lifestyle"
If you want to live in an american city, then American or Denver
If you want to live in a "College Town," where the college defines much of the local culture/atmosphere then Kansas or Iowa State
If you want to experience rural america then Augustana or Montana State.
All of those experience have their ups and downs. Personally I'm a city person so I'd suggest DC or Denver, but that's just me.
History-wise, there are a few different angles here.
Augustana and New Mexico are both close to interesting sites in native american/pioneer history.
DC is, well, DC. And it's on the Acela line that can take you to Boston, Philly, New York, so you'll be able to see TONS of revolutionary-era sites.
Williamsburg has it's own re-enactor villiage thing, and the college itself is the 2nd oldest in the US.
Southern Miss will put you close to many interesting sites regarding the US Civil war and the Civil Rights struggles of the 19th and 20th centuries.
American is a great bet for hanging out around DC and doing that whole thing.
A lot of the other options are absolutely terrible. Sweet lord, don't go to Sioux Falls.
Besides that, Denver's an interesting place, echoing what DarkWolfe said about a ton of fun stuff to do. Also, there are a tremendous number of craft breweries in the area and loads of outdoorsy stuff as well.
I have several friends that went to American and loved it, though none of them went for the history program. DC is a cool place as far as being a student. It's also probably the easiest city on the list to get around in without a vehicle.
I'd say it really depends on what you're really looking for.
Other than that, if you end up 'trapped' in NM, drop me a line.
And of course, studying and all that.
You could take any point on the coast of the U.K., place it anywhere Kansas, and rotate the entire country around that point; at no time would the U.K. touch anything worthwhile. Unless you consider religious nutjobs "worthwhile."
Try asking some alumni about their schools, or even just checking out some google image searches of your target states:
Kansas
Iowa
South Dakota
Montana
er....
Montana may be "big sky country" but that only applies to the eastern part of the state. Just look a topo map of Bozeman and you'll see it's more like this:
I have many friends who attended William and Mary (I went to Virginia Tech on the other side of the state). I think they all had a positive academic experience. Part of it was because there were so many foreign students at W&M and it was very much not the typical big university experience.
I'd choose Denver just because of how close it is to the mountains. I hate to say it but Colorado is much prettier than Virginia, the Rockies blow away the Appalachians. I've only passed through Denver a couple of times but it seemed like a nice enough city.
With concern to your studies, being in DC would probably be the best location. Can't beat all those museums in on spot.
There is literally nothing of value in this post.
If you're not really interested in studying under a credible department, I'd suggest American in DC strictly because you will have access to the entire northeast part of the US. There's lots of stuff to do over there and you can reach just about everything via train.
Edit: Not saying that American isn't credible.
I think I've narrowed it down now to Denver, W&M and American.
Currently I'm at the University of Exeter - Cornwall Campus. This means a grand total of 4,500 students on campus, maybe 5,000 if you push it. Personally, I love it. It's very intimate and cozy and you know EVERYONE. That being said, however, I've lived in London and Malaga and Zurich and know what it's like to live in a "big" city but as someone pointed out I think I might be going for the "College Town" aspect of it.
Academically, I'm not that bothered. My term abroad counts for exactly 1/7th of my ENTIRE degree, so I don't think it'll have that much baring but I have heard excellent things about W&M in that regard.
I'll almost certainly join a Frat., if only just to get introduced to people and just have a load of fun. One of the 3rd year students here (I'm a 1st year) who went to W&M joined a Frat and he says it's a definite must. Also, because I've been drinking since I was 16 (woooo Europe!) I can drink most of the fratboys under the table :P
But thanks for everything guys, I'll take it all into consideration. And please add more if you can think of anything ^^
How long did you say you're going to be studying in America? I highly doubt you're going to be able to rush if you're not going to be there for the majority of your studies (like, 3-5 years). Fraternities aren't going to want to initiate a study abroad student who is only going to be around for one year.
Yeah that's not true at all. My Fraternity has initiated plenty of folks we knew were transferring colleges without chapters. I won't get into the debate about alcohol and fraternities here, but it should go without saying that EVERY house is different and values different things. I'll leave it at that.
Fair enough. My chapter probably wouldn't initiate some kid who wouldn't be around after initiation - there wouldn't be any point to it. However, different values blah blah blah.
My 3rd year friend was initiated into Kappa Alpha. I think it was Kappa Alpha. Oh those Greek letters.
Apparently he's quite the legend on campus because he was one of very few British students on campus in years. I'm going to go ahead and try and pick up that legacy :P
I had a British friend in college who had NO problems meeting people simply because he is British. Joining a fraternity costs money (sometimes a lot of money, depending on the fraternity/chapter) and I can think of better ways for an exchange student to spend money.
Seriously, you could party with the fraternity guys all year without pledging. They won't give a shit that you're not a brother because you being at their parties will bring more ladies to the parties. (American girls love the Brits).
If you want the college town thing I would go with KU or Iowa state. As an east coast girl who went to Nebraska for college, it *is* different there but it isn't bad like people in this thread make it sound.
I do enjoy college towns though, so I might be biased.
I have the same sentiment. If the OP wanted a college town experience, I'd say KU or ISU. I went to OU in Norman, OK and that's quintessential college town experience. However, looking at the situation practically, I think he'd be better off in DC so he can do the tourist stuff on the east coast while he's here.
Go American. DC is a crazy awesome place and the University is top notch. Kansas is where you should go if you like boredom, corn, and suicide.
Well, first of all, you're wrong.
Second of all, well, you're wrong.
Lawrence is a pretty cool town with lots of stuff to do.
Edit: No one likes the entire midwest.