Need Advise, I’m Thinking About Studying In The Usa Next Winter Semester?
I’m at a university in the UK (studying psychology) and i was offered an oppertunity to study in the USA for one semester (the winter one) next year. Also during the semester is there a week of at universities for thanksgiving because i want to go back to the UK briefly to visit my boyfriend.
What would be the benefits of studying abroad for 3/4 months? I’ve been given a choice of either Oregon State University, Louisiana, Stony Brook (New York), University of Rochester, Purdue (Indiana) or Pennsylvania…. I have looked on the sites and have nooooooo idea which one to choose, at all! I’m mainly interested in the student life, so any experiences or websites for that would be usefull!
I was thinking about Stony Brook maybe, anyone know what’s it like there? The websites not very useful?
VCC on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 2:01 am
I would go to New York. They have a wider range of cultural differences to explore. Most of the other places you have mentioned might be safer but New York is where the action and culture is. It also has great public transportation and many of the other places may not have public transportation.
You can be safe in New York, you just can’t be naive. Most of the people there are pretty nice, but there are a few who will take advantage of you if you let them. ( I guess that can happen anywhere but the larger the population in an area, the more likely it is to happen)
ver_jen on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 2:38 am
Where you end up going depends on exactly what you want to get out of the experience and what type of student life you are looking for. If you want something more in line with what you are (probably) experiencing in the UK, I’d go with something up in New England. Pennsylvania is one of the absolute top rank schools here in the US, so if you are after academics, go there. If you want to experiences the craziest parties, craziest night life, and craziest student body, go to Louisiana (I’m assuming it’s Louisiana State University you are looking into, known as LSU over here). LSU is always ranked as one of the top party schools in the country.
It all depends on what you want to get out of your experience.
mdernick on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 3:19 am
Before you go out of England, make sure you know how to spell ordinary English words. You will be representing your country, please don’t let it down.
Tinribs on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 3:37 am
This may sound a bit odd, but if you’re interested in the student life, pick a team with a good American football team. College football is a huge part of student life here in the States, and the season runs during the fall semester (Sept to Dec). I don’t know which university in Louisiana you’re looking at, but Louisiana State would be my choice. Also, Purdue is a great school and the Pennsylvania schools are usually good (esp. Penn State).
I’ve never been to any of these schools personally, but maybe you should hunt around the Student life section of their websites to see what’s up.
Also, about Thanksgiving.. my university only gave 3 days off for Thanksgiving.. a 5-day break instead of the whole week (but honestly, you probably could skip the 2 days before that weren’t off). Some schools also do a “fall break” in late October (mine did).. we got a 4-day break around Halloween. Other schools get a whole week and some schools don’t take any break then. Check their current calendars and see what they do.
I’m sure you’ll get that “American experience” any where as long as you hang out with Americans . . . Good luck!
cata on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 4:24 am
I am a little confused by your question. The winter SEMESTER begins in January. The FALL semester ends in the middle of December. Thanksgiving comes during the Fall semester. You would get nearly a week off at Thanksgiving (Thursday through Sunday). If you arrange your schedule so that you have no classes on Wednesday or Monday, you could leave Tuesday night and return on Monday night.
Rochester is not a great university. Louisiana is not much better. U of Pennsylvania is by far the best, academically, of the universities you have mentioned. Stony Brook is the best if you want a fairly high academic standard but also want to party at the end of the day.
The main benefit of studying abroad (to me) would be the exposure to another culture and also to new ways of studying and teaching.
Anpadh on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 5:10 am
If you’re coming to the U.S., you might as well experience the most possible in your 3/4 months. Go to New York! It doesn’t get any more exciting than “the city”. Stony Brook has a campus in Manhattan (New York City). You can always go around the U.S. and visit other places while you’re here, but I recommend studying in New York to get the maximum experience as a “tourist”.
By the way, I currently live in Boston, but I’m from New York. I would also recommend Boston (which is kind of like a smaller, safer New York), but you didn’t have it on your list.
Good luck and have fun!
Beezie on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 5:22 am
I am from India and went to school at Oregon State University. I loved Corvallis, Oregon the town/city where the university is located and Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the US. Weather wise I think it is very close to what you guys have in England. The nearby big cities are Portland and Seattle which are two most beautiful cities in the US.
Oregon is a pro-democrat/liberal state and people are nice. The university town is pretty diverse. The student community is pretty active and if you like to try new things and meet people you would like it. I liked it and tried to learn about Oregon and US in general and unlike many international students who stick with their own kind I ventured out and made some very good friends.
I am now in Atlanta, Georgia and although it is OK I still feel the remnants of the Old south(States in the US which have a history of racism) when I go into the country. I don’t know what university you are going to in Louisiana, but I guess Louisiana State University should be OK but I don’t know much about the state but I guess it must not be different from Georgia.
My advice would be to go Oregon State. If you are not too keen about Oregon State then I would advice you to go to New York(Stony Brook, University of Rochester, Pennsylvania in that order.
stickyWi on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 6:15 am
Best to do is, search the city on the web, and things to do like on yahoo!local.
Stay away from Louisianna and U of Rochester.
Stony Brook and Purdue and Oregon and Pennsylvania are good. All have winters and nice areas to be in. Life is what you mke it on campus. Lots of nice people in these areas.