Student Life USA

 

No doubt you’re wondering what it is like to live and study in America. 

 

America has always been known as a land of opportunity and this remains true today. Americans applaud success and always friendly and supportive. They value study and knowledge growth which is borne out of their many success stories both academic and sports wise.

 

In the United States, all ethnicities and nationalities are represented in the 275 million population, so lifestyle and culture options are immense. The country is absolutely massive, covering 9 million square kilometres, with a variety of climate and time zones. 

 

You may have visited the USA on holiday already at some time, but living and studying there will bring a dramatically different experience to your life. Not only You will get to know places and the people at a more intimate level, but these will be accompanied by some social and cultural approaches you may not have encountered before. 

 

The vast majority of people who come to live and study in the USA eventually return home feeling positive about their experience and firmly believe that the time spent abroad was beneficial both academically and personally.

 

The United States is much like the United Kingdom in that it considers religious freedom of self and others very seriously and respectfully. As visitors to the United States, the right of international students to practice their home religions cannot be revoked.

 

Student accommodation

 

The United States has one of the world’s finest university systems and US degrees are recognised throughout the world for their excellence.

 

Some American colleges/universities offer on-campus accommodation for international students in dormitories, often with two or three people (of the same gender) per room. Students typically share large bathrooms which include showers and toilets and many have access to a communal kitchen and recreational areas. 

 

Many first-year students prefer to live in on-campus dormitories, because they are convenient to both academic and social activities. Another advantage is that it is not likely that you will require a car to commute to campus.

 

On-campus accommodation offers close proximity to cafeterias and other eating establishments. U.S. colleges and universities offer very flexible meal-plan programmes, where students can choose to pay in advance for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

There are some colleges/universities which do not provide on-campus accommodation for international students, but in these instances, an off-campus housing office will assist students to find an appropriate place to live.  These offices also help co-ordinate activities to help students find a compatible room mate to share expenses; they also provide information about local neighbourhoods, including popular restaurants, shopping areas, parks and recreation, and public transportation.

 

Off campus accommodation

 

College and university campuses promote many activities designed to foster long-term friendships, through initiatives such as “Student Activities Centers” (also known as student unions) where there is information about different activities including student government, newspapers, outdoors clubs, choruses, dance classes, and a number of athletic team opportunities.

 

Whether you attend a small, private college in a small town or a university situated in the middle of a large urban area, most universities offer a variety of student clubs and organisations to match the wide array of student interests. 

 

All in all, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in American culture, meeting new people and making new friends.