The USA - The land of glamour, glitz, and dreams! With New York as its financial and cultural capital and Washington DC as its political capital - it is more than just an interesting place to study at and explore. Not to forget Chicago's modern and unique architecture and the famous city Los Angeles - Home to Hollywood!
Ever imagined yourself living the ultimate American student dream? Wish you were studying at a world-renowned University and running through the hustle and bustle of the vibrant cities of the USA? Well, guess what? YOU TOTALLY CAN!
As an international student, you get to experience not just international education and exposure, but you also get to travel, explore and learn about multiple cultures, languages, and lifestyles. The USA is a unique destination that provides international students with umpteen opportunities as such! Between 2019 and 2020, over 1.1 million international students moved to the USA to study. The country also claims 14 of the QS Best Student Cities globally.
If you have your eyes set on the USA for your higher education, you hit the jackpot by stumbling on this blog. We've covered the top 5 student cities in the USA that you can check out!
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The United States of America has always been a top study destination for international students. It probably has to do with the fact that it's enormous and hosts some of the world's best universities!
Did you know this? 16 universities from the USA are among the top 20 in the world according to the latest QS rankings. Quality education and a vast array of opportunities is a huge factor! Studying in the USA doesn't just give you tangible degrees and certificates, but also opens up a world of new experiences!
From the Big Apple to BadStreet USA - We've covered them all! Read on to know more.
1. New York
New York - where dreams come true! Of course, not without the hustle. The city is not just popular for being the central place for meet-cutes, romance, and Frank Sinatra but also for being the place where businesses are born and nurtured. It's also the financial center of the world and houses more than 50 of the world's fortune 500 companies. Its incredible networking opportunities and fast-paced lifestyle make it easier for you to grow in your chosen career in no time. Its huge Multicultural society also makes it the place to explore and experience.
New York is also home to multiple Ivy League colleges and over 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. It has around 180 public parks - which means you will never get bored of doing your homework at the same spot or have trouble finding a spot to de-stress at or have a picnic with friends on a nice warm day.
Here are a few lesser-known trivia about New York:
Ever wondered how New York got its nickname the Big Apple?
- Well, it originated in the 1920s, in reference to the prizes or big apples awarded at the many racing courses in and around New York City. After a successful ad campaign in 1971, it was adopted as its official nickname. The campaign featured red apples in an effort to lure visitors to New York City. The red apples, intended to serve as a bright and cheery image of the city.
- There are more graduates and undergraduates living in NYC than Boston has people
- The price of NYC's famous pizzas and a single-ride subway ticket have remained the same for almost 50 years.? Economists call this the 'Pizza Principle'.
2. Chicago
Popularly known as "The Windy City", Chicago is the 3rd most populous city in the USA. The people here are a mix of 'New York hustle' and 'mid-western generosity'. The beauty of Chicago also lies in its neighborhoods - each culturally different and rich in history. The City is also home to a variety of research institutions and libraries. Also, as a full-time student, you get public transportation of buses and trains for free!
Here are a few trivia points about Chicago:
- Did you know that Chicago is also the city of inventions? Spray cans, Zippers, roller skates, the remote control, softball, skyscrapers, crackerjacks and so much more!
- A number of famous people were born here too, like Robin Williams, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Harrison Ford, and Walt Disney.
- One of the largest collections of impressionist paintings outside of Paris, France, in the world, is at The Art Institute of Chicago.
3. San Diego
San Diego, also known as America's finest city, is home to 3 very popular universities ranking in the top 1000 in the QS World University Rankings 2021. It is the second-largest city in the state of California, and the cost of studying here is a lot cheaper than in other cities in California. It also has a lot of jobs for graduates, especially in the healthcare and tech industries. International trade plays a major role in contributing to its economy as the city shares a border with Mexico.
It's got great beaches, and surfing and sunbathing are popular activities for students. If you like thrill and adventure San Diego houses the 'Giant Dipper' a 94-year-old rollercoaster that is one of four roller coasters on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fun fact! -Jason Mraz, famously known for his pop hit 'I'm Yours', owns an avocado farm near Oceanside.
4. Washington D.C
The famous Washington D.C is also the capital of the United States of America. Apart from housing some of the world's most important people - like the President of the United States, it is also home to multiple historically significant universities. Most of these universities encourage their students in aspects of critical thinking skills with student-centered lectures.
Since it is a hub for global politics and business, it's no surprise that it is also one of the best places to network. Here, you will find the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Capitol.
Because of its close proximity to government offices, universities offer a variety of guest lecturers who are experts in their fields
It also has an incredible Jazz music scene, vibrant nightlife, and numerous restaurants! You'll find plenty of options to choose from after a long day at work or study. You can also attend events and festivals over the weekend.
Trivia: Did you know that the National Geographical Society was founded and headquartered here?
5. Atlanta
Atlanta has heaps of popular nicknames - BadStreet USA, ATL, City of trees, and Hotlanta, named after the famous Allman brothers band instrumental song.
It's rich in culture and the people here are warm, friendly, inviting and super supportive. If you want to experience the true southern American living then this is the perfect place! The cost of living here is way more reasonable compared to other states. And students are provided with highly trained and skilled teachers and staff.
Fun Trivia about Atlanta :
- Its diverse locations makes it a favourite filming spot. Some famous movies shot here are, Captain America: Civil War, The Hunger Games, and Furious 7.
- Some famous people born here are- Outkast, Ludacris, Gucci Mane, Childish Gambino, CeeLo Green, Waka Flocka, and Killer Mike.
- It is also host to the world's largest drive-in restaurant, 'The Varsity', that serves more coca-cola by volume than any other place in the world.
The USA is such a huge country and has so much to offer, that even with all this information, we've barely skimmed the surface. If you'd like to travel and study in a popular university in the United States, get in touch with our expert guidance counselors and migration agents to help you through the admission and visa process! Click here to talk to our team. It doesn't matter how far along you are on your education journey - we've got you!