Where In America Should The International Students Go?

When looking into which American university you would like to attend, location should be near the top of your list of important considerations. As an international student, there are many things you will need to adjust to during your stay in America, and choosing a location that best suits you will make the transition go much more smoothly.

For example, if you live in a small town or village in your native country, it’s best to avoid going to a university that is located in a large American city. City living, though it has slight variations across countries, remains relatively the same - meaning that if you’re not happy living in a large, bustling city in your native country, it’s not likely you will be in America, either. The same is true for those adapted to city living - moving to a small town to attend university could provide you with unnecessary amounts of adjusting to do in your lifestyle. If you’re used to taking public transit to get around your native city, then moving to a small town where one must drive to get from place to place will be a huge challenge, particularly if you’ve never had any or have had very little driving experience.

Another thing to take into consideration is the “livelihood” of the city where your university is located. Though it is not as major of an issue as the size of the city, living in a city that bases its personal economy on the same or a similar business as your native city is a great idea. For example, if the town you live in, in your country, bases most of its economy on agriculture, it will be a huge change to move to somewhere that bases its economy on factories and production of goods. Though American culture likely varies from your own in a number of ways, that does not mean that it’s impossible for you to feel at home in America. It’s just a matter of finding a place to live that you can easily relate to.

These are not the only considerations pertaining to location - others include (but are not limited to) economic standing of cities, acceptance of international people by locals, and overall living standards. Just remember - though the academic profile and specialty area of the university you’re planning on attending matters - location is just as important to ensuring your comfort during your stay in America.

By: Dennis Dunham PhD

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Dennis Dunham, PhD is the Executive Director of International Services at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is credited with helping over 16,000 international students come to the United States. Dr. Dunham has received many awards in the field of international education. Dr. Dunham holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Technology and Masters of TESOL. Dr. Dunham, a former Peace Corps Volunteer, speaks Korean and French. Visit the UCO International Office to learn more about studying abroad in the USA at www.uco.edu/ioffice.