Hi! Im on my 4th year of higher education. Today i’m done with french studies, at least with studying in France, i’m bored and i feel the urge to move abroad.
I’d like to have all your tips and advices about the US as a student, i’m dreaming about having this memorable year, where i could do road-trips with friends during weekends, chilling on a college campus, being integrated within friends groups and parties, like sororities, maybe just like if i was starting my life again (which would almost be the situation!)
13 comments
To be clear, do you intend to come here to study? Or is this as a gap year? Vacation?
Ritalin, probably.
Probably some mushrooms because that is an extremely rose eyed view
Try r/f1visa
If you’re talking about doing a semester abroad, you’d probably have to either start with whatever programs your specific university offers or one of the organizations that externally organizes study programs.
In my experience studying abroad, I think your best bet is to look into universities in/near major cities. The idea being that you have enough activities in the local area, good public transport, and access to an airport for when you want to go a little further. Road trips are fun, but I imagine they might be more of a hassle if you’re trying to rent a car and are under 25.
Sounds like you’d be a perfect fit for a party school.
Hi there, I used to help European students get settled in the US professionally.
> where i could do road-trips with friends during weekends
This is not as common as media makes it seem. Studies/sports/social obligations keep most students busy, a weekend road trip might not get you very far either.
> being integrated within friends groups and parties
Try to remember that the US is a real place, not a video game or movie. People are friendly but there won’t be a big lovable cast of friends waiting just for you.
> like sororities
Sororities are unlikely to take in a foreign student only here for a year
> maybe just like if i was starting my life again (which would almost be the situation!)
The US is real life, not a movie.
Feel free to reach out with any specific questions, general advice is as follows.
* Follow the advice and examples of locals, they’ve lived here a while and know what they’re doing. If you have questions, feel free to ask, Americans pride themselves on being helpful and friendly
* Get involved in hobbies, sports, etc. Americans like staying busy and its a great way to meet friends
* Life here is not like movies and TV, forget everything you’ve learned from that and come with an open mind, if you expect it to be like movies and TV, you’re going to have a bad time.
* Likewise, remember you’re an outsider looking in, there’s going to be things you don’t understand at first, and that’s ok
* Research the city and state you’ll be going to, they differ immensely and may not be what you’re expecting. For instance, I’m from New England, which is nothing like the “typical” impression left by California or New York. Even LA and NYC are hugely diverse and your experiences may not reflect your expectations.
* Research the weather, much of the US is much colder than people expect with huge swings in temperature and weather conditions. New York gets a lot colder than you’re used to, expect snow and cold temps for a solid portion of the year.
* Travel when you get the chance, the US is huge and naturally diverse, there will be plenty to see.
* If there’s something you want to do or try, just ask, your colleagues will probably be eager to share life and culture with you
* Keep an open mind, the US is a big and complex place, try and discover something new
* Go to a diner
> where i could do road-trips with friends during weekends
Me, who has 3 exams this week:
A lot of negative Nancys on here! If you can organize a study-abroad situation or get admitted to a US university, you can have the whole American college experience.
General advice once you are in the US: Live in the dorms and participate in the activities that your school organizes. You can definitely have an active social life if you put yourself out there and put in the effort to meet new people. And don’t be afraid to take charge and organize activities that you want to do.
>maybe just like if i was starting my life again (which would almost be the situation!)
If this is an exchange program, you’ll only be here for 1-2 semesters and your degree will still be from your home university. Unless you get a job or marry an American, you won’t be able to stay.
[https://youtu.be/3-5pmY_Uwh8](https://youtu.be/3-5pmY_Uwh8)
You’ll honestly mostly be busy with school. There won’t be time for extensive travel, especially if you are in a college town. Your travel, if any, is probably going to be day trips or weekend getaways rather than crisscrossing the country.
You’ll want to find a school with a very well regarded athletic department. Maybe a “division 1” league school. But also one that is located nearby other cities. Our universities can be very rural with 4 hour drives to the closest big city.
Beer bong. Beer pong. Go to Vegas. Throw a party. Attend a party. Have consenting sex with someone. Go to a Halloween party. Go to a New Year’s Eve party. Go to a protest. Wrote a poem. See a play. Go camping.
>where i could do road-trips with friends during weekends
If studying doesn’t manage to take up all your time in the weekends, you won’t be able to go very far,, unless you go by plane. A lot of Europeans severely underestimate just how big the US is. To give you an idea, driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco will take you at least 6 hours, and this is within just one state.
>being integrated within friends groups and parties, like sororities
Depending on the college and sorority, you can’t just join one. You have to “rush” in your younger years, which is like competitively applying. As for parties and making friends, toi probably won’t have too much of a problem (depending on the campus culture).