The United States is the world鈥檚 most popular destination for international students for good reason. From liberal arts colleges to institutes of technology, it鈥檚 home to .
As you choose where to study in the US, keep in mind that some communities may fit your lifestyle better than others. After all, you can鈥檛 study all the time! The climate, culture, and size of your community, both on- and off-campus, can affect your student experience, too.
老九品茶 is proud to partner with hundreds of top US institutions, which offer international students an excellent academic experience from dedicated campus services to innovative programs.
Community Size
The US is a diverse country with 50 unique states to choose from. Although you might be thinking of studying in big, famous cities like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, many exciting opportunities exist in smaller, growing, and more affordable communities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the in 2024. However, your expenses will vary depending on where your college or university is, if you鈥檙e living on- or off-campus, and lifestyle choices like transportation and diet. Students in smaller communities often have a lower cost of living. Meanwhile, students in cities like San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, and Boston will likely have even higher expenses.
Enrolling in a program with access to exclusive work experience opportunities in more expensive cities can make a higher cost of living worthwhile.
As you decide which city or state you want to study in, think about your ties to your home country鈥檚 culture. If attending religious or cultural services is important, larger communities might be your best option. In a larger city, you鈥檒l likely find other international students from your country, , or restaurants with meals that remind you of home. Equally, if you鈥檇 like to immerse yourself in American culture (and cuisine), many small communities are very welcoming.
Lots of international students thrive in . College towns revolve around their local universities and colleges, and are home to large student populations. They are often great places to live, offering affordable housing, vibrant and diverse communities, as well as strong local economies. From Boulder, Colorado to Ann Arbor, Michigan, these mid-sized cities are a great place to learn and grow.
Culture
Beyond the size of your potential destination city, you should also think about the experience you鈥檇 like to have as an international student. Here are some good questions to ask yourself:
- Would you like to live on- or off-campus?
- What hobbies or sports would you like to continue or start?
- Does easy access to entertainment options (concerts, pro sports, festivals) matter? Would you rather be close to outdoor activities? Or, are you hoping for both?
- Do you plan to work part-time? If you鈥檇 like to work in your field, look at what the area鈥檚 local industries are.
- Is it important to have access to specific food (i.e. halal, kosher)?
Answering these questions can help determine where you鈥檒l thrive.
Also, consider on-campus culture. If you don鈥檛 like crowds and prefer small classes where you can participate in discussions, you might fit in at one of the US鈥檚 excellent liberal arts colleges. Equally, if the words 鈥榮chool spirit鈥� spark joy, and attending events like football鈥檚 is part of why you鈥檇 like to study in the US, look at the . These institutions balance academic and athletic excellence鈥攁nd have student bodies of over 30,000.
Try attending a virtual college or university fair to learn about campus culture. During your tour, remember to ask any questions you have about the institution, campus, or local community.
Climate
Whether you鈥檙e thinking of living in a big city or a small town, remember that America is both a big place and a land of climate extremes. So you know what to expect鈥攁nd what to pack鈥攊t鈥檚 good to know what the weather is often like in different regions across the US.
Here鈥檚 a quick look at a few different destinations within these regions:
The West
California is popular with international students because of its excellent academic institutions, thriving industries, and welcoming cities. But before you sign up for four years in San Francisco, it鈥檚 good to know that the fog which blankets the Bay Area is so well-known and regularly occurring that it has . Students looking for a study abroad experience where they can finish class, then enjoy a warm and picture-perfect evening, could be better suited to schools in central or southern California.
Further north, in Washington and Oregon, temperate rainforests thrive in cool, rainy weather. However, due to the mountain ranges running through these states, the climate is much warmer and drier in cities on the eastern side of the mountains.
The Southwest
Arizona is perfect for sun-seeking students. It has , and its deserts attract biologists, artists, and extreme sports enthusiasts alike. Even here, however, northern areas can be chilly. It will snow in cities like Flagstaff, and winter highs are around 43掳F (6掳C), compared to highs of 68掳F (20掳C) in Arizona鈥檚 capital, Phoenix.
The Southeast
As the emerging fintech capital of the world, if you plan to study accounting or finance, institutions in Atlanta are definitely worth considering. Georgia鈥檚 capital city has thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Want to study in Georgia or other southern states like Florida or Louisiana? You’ll enjoy hot, sunny summers, but make sure your housing has effective air conditioning! Also, check sites that share housing reviews from past students for candid opinions.
The Midwest
Midwestern states like Michigan and Illinois have many excellent post-secondary institutions. Here, students experience all four seasons as these states鈥� weather is shaped by the nearby Great Lakes. This 鈥渓ake effect鈥� means some regions have cooler summers and warmer winters compared to others. That said, watch out for , where cold winds moving over the warmer lake water condense and cause heavy snowfall!
The Northeast
Most of the Northeastern US has a . That means more rain than you might find in the Southwest or Midwest regions, and large differences in temperature between the summers and winters, especially further inland. However, states like Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland are considered subtropical, so if you鈥檙e studying in places like Baltimore or Washington D.C., be sure to bring lightweight clothes in natural fabrics like cotton to stay cool over the hot summer months! Parts of the Northeast have serious winters, too, so be sure to pick up some winter clothing after you arrive in the US.
Before you apply, check out our guides on the undergraduate and postgraduate application process for international students headed to the US.
As an international student planning to study in the US, choosing where to live and which university to go to can feel intimidating. By keeping the three Cs (climate, culture, and community size) in mind, you鈥檒l be able to choose a college or university in a city that fits your needs.
Search for study opportunities in the US on the free-to-use 老九品茶 platform. Your future is waiting!
