Studying on a US Campus – What is it Like?

What's Here? Campus types: urban vs. rural； When you arrive on campus； On-campus housing & facilities；Clubs – social & academic

Universities in the United States are full of educational, cultural, and social opportunities for students. Choosing the school that is right for you may seem like a daunting task, but there are many factors to consider that can make the application process a lot less complicated.

Choosing a specific area of study is one of the most important factors when selecting the school that is right for you. However, there are also other areas to consider. These may include location, campus facilities, on-campus housing options, social and academic clubs, and what international student organizations the institutions have.

One factor that may be easily overlooked by students is the location of the school. Locations of American universities differ vastly throughout the country. They may be in the center of a bustling and culturally-diverse city (urban) or in a countryside town with a population of less than 1,000 people (rural). Choosing a location that you will be comfortable in is very important. For example, if you enjoy visiting museums and theaters as well as tasting different cuisine regularly, then a rural town that does not offer these cultural opportunities may not be the right choice for you. However, if you enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside, then a sprawling metropolis may be too intimidating and crowded for you.

Having access to different types of campus facilities may also be of importance to you. Some institutions may have state-of-the-art equipment in their classrooms and wireless internet connections in their dormitories. Others may have all of the newest equipment in their fitness centers and plenty of healthy-eating options on and off campus. If it is important to you that the school that you attend has modern, high-tech facilities then these are areas that you will want to consider researching when applying to schools.

Cultural diversity on-campus may also be a determining factor for you when selecting schools. Does the institution have international student organizations? Does it have a Taiwanese Student Organization? How active are these organizations? If you are a student of engineering, is there an engineering club? The best indicator of what you may want to participate in while studying overseas is what you are actively doing in Taiwan. There is plenty of in-depth information on most school websites about extra-curricular activities and student organizations, so do not forget to research these areas as well.

What's Here? Campus types: urban vs. rural； When you arrive on campus； On-campus housing & facilities；Clubs – social & academic