• Campus Types: rural and small town campuses vs. urban and suburban campuses

 American Universities are located in towns and cities across the United States that are distinctly different from one another. Rural areas surrounded by farmland often have universities and colleges with top-notch agricultural programs while campuses located in urban areas with a bustling business community often have excellent business or arts programs.

This website will introduce rural areas and small towns in one grouping and urban and suburban areas in another grouping. The differences between all of these locations are as follows: 1) rural schools are located in more remote areas, 2) small town schools are located in small but densely populated areas, 3) urban schools are located within major cities, and 4) suburban schools are located in residential areas near large cities.

Rural and small town campuses
Rural and small town campuses are located in the American countryside, generally a few hours drive away from large cities. These areas tend to have quiet environments that are favorable for people who enjoy more serene lifestyles. These types of campuses often host numerous campus-wide activities because there are limited activities for students to pursue off-campus. This often means that close friendships are easily formed between members of the student body.

Urban and suburban campuses
Urban and suburban campuses are located in and around a city.These campuses may be exciting to some but distracting to others.Large American cities are culturally diverse places with plenty to see and do. It is not surprising then, that campus life in these areas tend to be interesting and stimulating because there is a lot to do on and off-campus. Large cities with various museums, theaters, restaurants, and events offer students endless cultural, academic, and social opportunities.

Examples of American colleges and universities in:
Rural areas and small towns

• Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey
• Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire
• Cornell University Ithaca, New York
  
  Qualities:
• Quiet
  Rural campuses are located in the countryside, in quiet environments. This is ideal for people who enjoy more serene lifestyles.
• Size : Small
  Rural campuses range in sizes, but they are generally smaller than urban campuses. This more intimate setting allows students to spend more time participating in on-campus activities and getting to know their peers better.
• Pace of life
  The pace of life in rural areas tends to be slower than in cities because there are fewer distractions. Students who enjoy and want to focus on studying will find being in rural areas ideal.
• Appeals to…
  Rural campuses appeal to students who are originally from small towns or farming areas, students who want to leave the hectic city life, and students who enjoy being close to nature. In addition, many rural schools have outstanding agricultural programs and are best suited for people who are interested in studying farming or environmental sciences.
• Cost
  The cost of tuition at a college or university in a rural area may be lower than that in an urban area because the cost of living is lower in a rural area. However, tuition for Ivy League schools remains high even in rural areas.

• Specialized programs
  Specialized programs can be found in schools that are located in different areas. What rural campuses tend to be well-known for are their agricultural, mining, and liberal arts programs.

• Agriculture
  Farming areas offer students the best opportunity to learn about agriculture. Agricultural programs prepare students to work in fields such as farm management and agricultural finance and accounting.
• Environmental Sciences
  Schools surrounded by vast amounts of nature offer excellent chances for students to learn about horticulture, ecology, and different dimensions of the environment.
• Liberal Arts
  Many schools located in rural areas and small towns often offer a vast Liberal Arts program with numerous different areas of study.

Urban and suburban areas

• University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
• Columbia UniversityNew York, New York
• University of ChicagoChicago, Illinois
  
  Qualities
• Active
  Schools located within American cities tend to bustle with energy. There are plenty of on and off-campus activities for students to enjoy. In addition, their convenient locations often attract well-known speakers to visit campus to give lectures to the students.

• Larger
  Many schools in urban and suburban areas tend to be large, especially state-owned schools located within city centers. With higher numbers of enrolled students and more academic courses available, many of these schools also offer a wider range of areas of study and majors for students.

• Pace of life
  The pace of life on urban and suburban campuses tends to be a lot faster than in rural areas. This is because there is much more cultural and social stimulation both on and off-campus, making it easy for students to choose what they want to do each day and where they want to go. Students may rush from art class to attend a lecture on art history at the city museum. Or, they may have off-campus jobs that they need to go to after class. People can easily fill up their daily calendars because there are so many events happening around them.
• Appeals to…
  Students who thrive on urban campuses tend to be people who enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life. They enjoy having cultural outlets at their fingertips, the benefits of the ease of transportation (subway, convenient bus routes, and being able to hail down a taxi if they need to go somewhere in a rush).
• Specialized programs
  Urban campuses will take advantage of their urban setting to offer specialized programs in fields of study related to the job market and opportunities in the city. Therefore, studies in areas of Urban and Community Planning, Business Management, and Technology Departments are often more developed
  • Urban and Community Planning
    Universities located in urban areas offer graduate and undergraduate degree programs in Urban and Community planning and other related areas such as: housing and community development, environmental and land use planning, social policy, growth management, urban design, and economic development planning. These campuses are suited for this course of study because of their urban locations where students are close to their laboratories-the metropolitan areas.
• Business / Management
  Business Degree and Management programs are more well-known programs at universities where students can find work and do their internships in the large corporations of that city.
• Technology
  Students studying technology and the impact of technology on today's society and workplace are most likely to benefit in an urban atmosphere where the highly energetic and competitive business and communication world is more visible and easy to infiltrate. The urban marketplace necessitates the most up -to -date and informed people involved in this field to be constantly abreast of recent improvements and changes in technology. Students in these types of environments will be most challenged in their studies and meeting those challenges will equip them to face the workplace.
  
  

• When you arrive on campus

 You will most likely be filled with excitement and awe as you step off of the airplane and enter the United States. All your months of preparation have led you to your arrival in the US. The excitement will most likely escalate as you locate your shuttle bus or the subway station to prepare for your short trip from the airport to the school or your host family's house.

As you travel to your final destination, you may begin to wonder what you will need to do next.What will you encounter when you finally arrive at your destination?What will you need to do to prepare for classes at your school?When will your orientation session be? When will you get to meet your counselor in the international students' office?All of these questions will be covered in this section.

Arriving at the airport:
Many schools offer airport pick-up services for their students for a fee. Students studying at a school within a city center may find that it is very convenient for them to take public transportation from the airport to their schools. In some major cities, the subway system feeds directly into the city center from the airport. In other areas, it may be easier to take a public bus from the airport into the city. These modes of transportation may be cheaper than taking a shuttle bus, but they require students to maneuver their own luggage. Schools that offer airport pick-up services generally use shuttle buses or vans to bring students directly from the airport to the school.

By spending a few minutes researching airport transportation online, you may discover cheaper alternatives for getting to your school from the airport. If you do decide to use public transportation instead of a shuttle bus, be sure that you get a copy of the route map for the bus or subway line that you are using.

The benefits of using the school's airport pick-up service include having your luggage loaded directly onto the vehicle and brought to the door of your school or host family's house.You also do not need to worry about directions. Instead, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as you are driven to your new home.

STEP 1: Housing
Unlike most schools in Taiwan, American colleges and universities provide mattresses in their dormitory rooms. Students need to bring pillows, blankets, and bed sheets. There is usually a Resident Advisor (RA) on each floor of the dormitory. Your RA is in charge of the floor that you live on and his/her main duties are to answer resident problems and resolve any disputes. RAs generally hold floor meetings and activities with all of the residents in attendance. These meetings are good ways to meet and interact with your floor mates.

Students who choose to live with host families will find that the typical “American” family does not look like the typical family portrayed in the movies.American families today come from numerous cultural backgrounds.The family may have children who live at home or on their own in a different state.They may also have pets.Some host parents may be single parents but have a large extended family that lives nearby. Living with a host family allows international students to see first-hand how American families live and interact with each other.Many host families host students from different countries so you could possibly have a host sibling from a part of the world that you have never been to.

STEP 2: Orientation
After you have moved into your room, your next big step will be visiting the school campus and preparing for your orientation meeting. The school's orientation for international students is usually arranged by the international students' office. Its purpose is to help students learn more about the school and let them know what to expect of their time at the school. Topics that may be covered at an orientation meeting include class scheduling, campus life, international student visa regulations and issues, and medical insurance information. In addition, students may be taken on a campus tour to learn the layout of the campus and to visit specific school facilities and buildings.

The most important area of focus of an orientation may be providing international students with adequate information regarding their student visa and status in the United States. Many schools will clearly state the rights and obligations of F1 and all other visa holders and inform students of the levels of support available from the international students' office.

STEP 3: Registration
You will be informed by your advisor or department as to when you will need to register for your classes. Before you register for your classes, you will need to meet with your advisor to make sure that the course load that you have selected is reasonable for you. If you are taking ESL classes, the registration process may be relatively easy. However, if you are taking university-level classes, registration may be more complicated as you will have more classes to choose from and more requirements to fulfill. In general, schools supply students with course catalogs to assist in the course selection process.

Schools organize their registration processes differently. Some schools may organize registration by the last names of the students or by the school departments. There may be specific times for international students to register and receive additional help. You should discuss your registration options and procedures with your advisor before registration day.

STEP 4: Payment
Your school's Office of Student Accounts is the billing and collections office for all fees that you will incur during your time at the school. These fees may include tuition, room and board, and activity fees.

The Office of Student Accounts will inform students of when payments need to be received by the school. Your bill will need to be paid by credit card or check. Some schools may even accept wire transfers from your bank.

STEP 5: Choosing classes
It is best to meet with your academic advisor soon after your arrival on campus to determine the classes that are most suitable for you. While this is true for both English language studies and undergraduate or graduate studies, the course selection process is much simpler for ESL students.

There are many course options for undergraduate and graduate students. Choosing the classes that you would like to take will require some time because there are many different types of classes available to students.

• Core/foundation courses are mandatory courses that meet the school's general education requirement. Every student needs to take a pre-determined number of credit hours in areas that may include math, science, and social studies. These general education requirements are counted towards a student's graduation requirements.

• Degree requirements differ from major to major. Generally, after a bulk of general education requirements have been fulfilled, students begin to work towards satisfying their degree requirements. Each major lists the curricular areas that students can choose classes from. Degree requirements need to be fulfilled before students can graduate.

• Electives are courses that students may choose for themselves. Electives give students an opportunity to learn what they want to outside of their major. For example, a student majoring in International Business may have a passion for art. As an elective course, the student may choose to take an art class to hone his/her skills.

Most schools will offer their students a course scheduling worksheet each semester to assist with the course selection process.

STEP 6: Choosing a major
Choosing a major may be a daunting task if you are not sure what you would like to study. Many students choose to attend a specific university or college because they know that the school has a good program in a specific field. However, many students also choose schools based on the name and reputation of the institution. In order to graduate from a school, all students need to declare a major.

It is very important that students meet with their academic advisors to discuss the process of choosing a major. Today, many schools have double majors, triple majors, and minors. These options allow students to study a range of subjects.

• A note on changing majors
  It is not uncommon for students to change their majors numerous times throughout their academic careers. Students often choose an area of study that follows the expectations of their parents and not their own passions. After they have begun their studies, they realize that they either have no interest in or are just not good at their chosen field.
  
  Sometimes, transitioning from one major to another is a simple process. This is especially true if it occurs early on in a student's undergraduate career, before the student has fulfilled their degree requirements. This is because not all credits are transferable from one major to another, especially if the subjects are not within the same area of study. For example, a student that decides to change majors from Biology to Chemistry may be able to easily transfer their credits because they are remaining in the field of Science. However, a student majoring in History may not be able to transfer a lot of their credits over to the Engineering department.

Students wanting to change their majors need to speak with their academic advisors and get permission to make the change. Your advisor can give you detailed information about the process of changing a major or adding a minor.

STEP 7: Class load
Class loads are determined by the number of credit hours that students need to fulfill in order to graduate. Students may choose to study part-time or full-time. Many students study full-time and may be able to graduate after 4 years of study at their institution. Some students take a full course load and even attend summer school in order to graduate early. Other students might hold full-time jobs and require lighter class loads, allowing them to finish their studies at a slower pace.

Credit hours needed for graduation vary from school to school. This affects the number of credit hours that students need to fulfill each semester.

• Light (Part-time)
  In general, part-time undergraduate status is given to students who take a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate students need to take a maximum of 9 credit hours for part-time status.

• Heavy (full-time)
  In many colleges and universities, the minimum number of credits that a student needs to earn in one semester for full-time undergraduate status is 12. The maximum may be as high as 20 credits per semester. Graduate students need to take a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester for full-time status.

In order to maintain their student status, international students need to be enrolled in full-time programs. Undergraduate students need to fulfill 12 credit hours per semester, graduate students need to fulfill 9 credit hours per semester, and PhD candidates need to fulfill 6 credit hours per semester.

STEP 8: Getting a Job
F1 visa status and part-time jobs:
Students on a F1 or J1 visa may be able to apply for on-campus employment as long as they fulfill their full-time student status.As stated on the Immihelp.com website, there are certain stipulations that international students need to abide by to work at their institutions. These stipulations state that:

1. While school is in session the student cannot work more than 20 hours per week. However, they can work full-time during school vacations.Students can also work for a commercial firm that contracts with the school to provide services, such as a bookstore or cafeteria management.
2. Work must be held on-campus, but some off-campus locations are allowed. If employment is “part of a scholarship, assistantship, fellowship, or post-doctoral appointment” then these jobs can be “educationally affiliated” with the school.

Here are a couple of other important things Taiwanese students should take care of as soon as they arrive in the US in order to make their transition to life in America as smooth and painless as possible.

Banking
When you are in the United States you may want to open a checking account and / or a savings account so you can access your money easily.

What is a Savings Account?
A savings account is an account at a savings bank, commercial bank, or a savings and loan (S&L) that pays interest on deposits, usually from the day of deposits to the day of withdrawals.Savings accounts usually have lower or no minimum monthly balance and often have few restrictions.Savings accounts are generally designed for those seeking a conservative investment program or for those who want to build funds gradually for a major purchase.Like checking accounts (below) savings account funds can be taken from the bank either by visiting a bank branch, or taking cash out through an ATM machine.

What is a Checking Account?
A checking account is an account at a savings bank, commercial bank, or a savings and loan (S&L) that normally pays no interest.Checking accounts usually have lower or no minimum monthly balance and often have few restrictions.Checking accounts are generally designed for those seeking an easy means of paying for daily expenses, either using cash or a written check.Like savings accounts (above) checking account funds can be taken from the bank either by visiting a bank branch, or taking cash out through an ATM machine.

Simply find a local bank and go to the “new accounts” department where an employee will help you open your account. Since banks are private businesses, you may want to research to find the bank with the least cost to you, best services and highest interest rates. If you want the bank will issue you an ATM card and a pin number. Almost everywhere you go in the states you can use your ATM card easily to make purchases. You can also withdraw money from your checking account at an ATM machine using your ATM card but if you use a machine from another bank you will be charged a small service fee. Always bring a reasonable amount of cash with you when you go out as sometimes the machines do breakdown.

• On-campus housing and facilities

 On campus housing is available in the form of dormitories and, in some places, apartments.

Dormitories
Examples:

Dorm room at Willamette University

Dorm room at the Rochester Institute of Technology

Campus facilities
The college and university campuses in the United States are generally spacious and comfortable with expanses of green, manicured lawns landscaped handsomely with trees and flowers. Students enjoy a quiet environment to sit outside and study on nice days. The indoor facilities are equally well kept and spacious. Take a look below for some examples of US university classrooms, fitness centers, libraries, science / computer labs, and shopping and eating facilities.

University of Oklahoma Campus

University of Washington Campus

Examples of American university classrooms.

A sample classroom at Northwestern University

A sample seminar room at the University of Illinois.

Sports and Fitness programs at American schools are given high value and this attitude displays itself in the state of the art facilities that are available for student and public use.

The weight room at the Rose Hulman Institute of technology.

The Sherr pool at the University of Pennsylvania

Libraries on the campuses of American schools are large, nicely furnished, and comfortable offering extensive selections of materials for research and reference.Large universities have multiple libraries on campus for their various schools of study.

The Gothic Reading Room in Duke University's Perkins Library.

The periodicals section of Duke University's Lilly Library.

Science Research and Instruction Labs

In general the labs of American universities display America's premier status in the world of one of the most advanced technological countries.

University of Wisconsin - Madison students can access 13 computer labs on campus.

Universities in America offer meal plans for dormitory students and non-dormitory students at school cafeterias that provide many choices of main entrées as well as salad bars and other specialty bars.Large universities often have restaurants, café's, delis, coffee shops, markets and possibly a mall-like food court.

The University of Texas bookstore.

The Union Deli at Stony Brook University.

• Clubs: social & academic

Colleges and universities in the United States have a large number of social and academic student associations. Some clubs and organizations do not require its members to pay membership fees, some do. Some have simple application procedures, others are more exclusive and have a rigorous application process.

Social and academic student groups on US campuses offer students the opportunity to meet like-minded people. These clubs can range from social clubs such as fraternities and sororities to academic clubs or special interest clubs such as the investment club or chess club. Students have a wide range of associations to choose from and may likely find student organizations related to their areas of interest, study, or expertise in Taiwan. The best indicator of what you may want to participate in while studying overseas is what you are actively doing in Taiwan.

Social clubs
Special Interest Clubs are clubs where students can develop their interests with people of like minds.Clubs are student organized and registered with the university.Universities have different registration requirements but often require only a few students to begin a club.Under this encouraging system, there are often clubs to promote any and every kind of interest.

Sample list of special interest clubs at a major US university:

International Student Organizations
American universities encourage International Students to become involved in University Life. The stimulating multicultural environment of American university life has spawned the growth of international student organizations and assisted them in their growth and development. Finding strength in numbers, international student organizations can assist their schools in understanding the unique challenges and needs of the International Student.

A sample list of International Student Organizations that can be found at many public and private US universities:

Another popular international student organization is AIESEC:
“Present in over 800 universitiesin 89 countries and territories, AIESEC, the world's largest student organization, is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact in society.” – AIESEC website

English website: http://aiesec.org/
Taiwan website: http://www.tw.aiesec.org/