myUface Blog

What do you want to see in the U.S.?  What historic places do you want to visit?   What national parks do you want to experience?  What amusement parks do you want to enjoy?

Do these questions seem irrelevent to your search for a U.S. university?  They’re not.  One of the greatest benefits of studying in the U.S. is the opportunity it will give you to see America’s social, historical and natural places of wonder.

So as you’re researching universities, be sure to ask yourself, “What do I really want to see while I’m in the States?”  If you’re interested in political science, it’d be a shame if you came to the U.S. for four years and never set foot in Washington, D.C.  If you’re interested in film, how could you not visit Hollywood?  All of this is to say nothing of your non-academic interests.  If you ski, visit Colorado,Wyoming or Utah.  Are you a surfer?  California or Hawaii seem appropriate.

You get the idea.

Check out Forbes’ list of the top 25 tourist destinations in the U.S. for a good idea of the most “famous” places.  But don’t stop there.  Visit the state tourist agencies for those states that have universities you’re interested in.  See what you can visit in that state.  For example, if you are looking at a university in Utah, check out the Utah travel site at Utah.com.

Of course, the tourist sites that surround a university shouldn’t be the sole basis of your decision to apply to, or attend, a particular institution.  At the same time, don’t underestimate the extent to which your tourist experiences in the U.S. will impact your overall experience.  Visiting tourist sites is not only a great way to see some beautiful and important places – visiting tourist sites gives you crucial insights into a culture and what it finds important.

For your consideration: Visit the state tourist agencies for every state in which you are researching a university.  What kind of tourist attractions are nearby?  Do they interest you? Why or why not?

Posts in this Series

1. Conclusion - How to Choose a U.S. University - 02 Jun
2. Activities Around a University Campus - 01 Jun
3. Check Out U.S. Universities on iTunes U - 26 May
4. Extracurricular Activities - 25 May
5. Get to Know Your Potential Professors - 21 May
6. Don't Forget Your Life! - 20 May
7. What Do You Want to See in the U.S.? (This post)
8. How Many International Students go to your Chosen University? - 18 May
9. The Problem with University Rankings - 17 May
10. Using Facebook to Research Universities - 14 May
11. Look at the Surrounding Neighborhoods When Looking at a U.S. University - 13 May
12. How Weather Should Factor Into Your Search for a U.S. University - 12 May
13. Looking for a University in the United States: Cost of Living - 11 May
14. Looking for a University in the United States - 10 May