Because the USA is a relatively large country, it will be helpful to describe the regions, their respective geographies and climates, and how this may affect your choice of schools.
Let’s start with the Northeast. This area includes Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and the surrounding New England states.
In this region, we have four seasons: warm springs, hot summers, cool autumns, and cold winters. The further north you go, the more snow you’ll see. The cold can be disconcerting for people who have never experienced the freezing cold before, so prepare yourself by having an appropriate wardrobe. On the same token, the snow is a real treat, especially when it covers the roads and creates a winter wonderland.
The Northeast is typically known for the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We work. A lot. If you’re interested in an active life, this region is the place for you.
As a side note, if you’re interested in politics or international policy, be sure to check out schools in Washington, D.C.
Next, let’s take a look at the Southeast. This area includes states like the Carolinas and Florida.
In this region, you’ll find a slower pace of life and warmer weather. Especially down in Florida, you’ll find great beaches to relax on and explore. Let’s say you’re interested in studying marine biology or related topics, this will be the place for you.
Moving westwards, let’s explore the South, with states like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, you’ll experience a similar pace of life and climate as the Southeast. Many of these states are landlocked, so you won’t necessarily have the opportunity to see the ocean.
The South is characterized as a region of “red states,” which means the people tend to be a bit more conservative when it comes to social issues, government policy, and the like. It also has the nickname of “the Bible belt,” which means the mindset is predominantly influenced by Christianity. The schools down here are not necessarily completely “red” or totally Christian, but this is most definitely the place to be if you share similar values.
Somewhat similar to the Northeast is the Midwest. The major city of this area is Chicago, and the region itself includes states like Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota. A number of these states are situated around the great lakes, and the winters here can get pretty cold. Snowfalls are regular and generally pretty heavy.
If the Northeast and the South seem too much of an extreme for your taste, the Midwest is a nice in-between choice: it’s not as quick as the Northeast, but not as slow as the South; it’s not as densely populated as the Northeast, but not as sprawling as the South.
Okay, that does it for this post. In the next one, we’ll look at the western half of the country, their geographies and climates. In subsequent posts, we’ll move from these general bird’s-eye-view assessments of studying in the USA and concentrate more on what to expect from college itself, as well as pertinent information as to applying and getting accepted.
