Exhausted from months of planning, studying, testing, the responsibility of choosing just the right U.S. school? Now it’s time to think about all the fun you will have during your studies in the United States.
By choosing to begin your college experience in the West, you will be living in one of the most exciting regions in the entire world. Diversity is the key to the West’s appeal, from the wide open spaces of Montana to misty, mountainous Washington State and beyond. Surrounded by endless culture and opportunity, the hardest decision you’ll need to make is what to see first.
Out & About
- Though often overlooked for more popular vacation spots, Boise, Idaho, has garnered recent attention for its many attractions including first-rate snow and water sports, a strong artistic and cultural core, and scenery that rivals its neighboring destinations.
- In San Francisco, California, the home of sourdough bread and the Golden Gate Bridge, there’s never a shortage of interesting things to see and do. Autumn, however, brings yet another reason to love this magnificent city. The San Francisco Jazz Festival, a four-week celebration of jazz music with more than 30 performances in some of the city’s most cherished venues, takes place throughout the month of November.
The Nightlife
- The Emerald City (better known as Seattle, Washington) summons your wild side with a wide range of vibrant clubs and restaurants in the heart of the city. Paramount Theatre, a restored 19th-century cinema, hosts diverse musical acts, while Century Ballroom presents an opportunity to take in salsa performances—or even lessons if you’re so inclined.
- In the big state of Montana, the summer’s end signals the beginning of big fun with rodeos, concerts, fairs, and other festivals. Visit the Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival in Helena, or soak it all in from one of the state’s more than two dozen hot springs resorts. Fishing, golfing, hiking, or horseback riding are just a few ways to enjoy this gigantic state.
Field Study
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, hosts visitors year-round who come to marvel at its natural beauty. Once you’ve explored caves with such interesting names as “Balloon Ballroom” and “Hall of the White Giant,” you might take a sudden interest in geology.
- Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, takes a different approach to cultural and fine art with annual events like the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in February and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market held each March. The museum features permanent exhibits like Barry Goldwater’s world-famous Kachina Dolls, as well as special exhibits displayed throughout the year.