<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I am Shermaine and I am a 22 year old undergraduate student from The Hague, Netherlands.
Currently, I am a junior undergraduate of the study International Business and Management Studies. My major is Finance and Business Analysis.</p>
<p>Next year I have to spend one semester abroad at one of the partner universities of my school. My preference goes out to North America. The problem is though, that I am not familiar with the states, cities and universities my school has a partnership with. </p>
<p>Therefore, I want to ask you to tell me something about these states, cities and universities. I am looking for a university that offers a good level of studies in my major and where I can meet people. </p>
<p>The universities are the following:</p>
<p>California Lutheran University. Thousand Oaks, CA.
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Northwood University (private), West Palm Beach, FL
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX
University of Ottawa, Ottawa
Mount Allison University, Sackville</p>
<p>I would also like to know if I would be dealing with racism in any of these states and cities. </p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Shermaine</p>
<p>You should ask the program coordinator to give you the email addresses of students who are currently participating in this exchange, and of students who have completed this exchange. They will be able to tell you about their experiences.</p>
<p>These are in very different parts of the US and Canada. For example, the pictures today at the top of the Mount Allison University website show a lot of snow. That university is in Sackville, New Brunswick so it will be colder (and snowier) than most of the others on your list. You can use [National</a> and Local Weather Forecast, Hurricane, Radar and Report](<a href=“http://www.weather.com%5DNational”>http://www.weather.com) to learn about weather in different cities in the US and Canada.</p>
<p>If you visit the websites for each of these universities, you can learn something about what they are like by the photos that are on the websites and the descriptions of student clubs and activities. For example if you like to ski, then maybe you would prefer Colorado State University or University of Idaho which are close to mountains. If you like Opera, you might prefer the U of Kentucky where you can attend (and maybe even participate in) performances by the students in the Opera program.</p>
<p>Lastly, you should take a look at the courses offered by each university. What would directly apply to your current program of studies, what would complement the work you are currently doing, and what would just be a fun thing to try?</p>
<p>For a semester exchange, none of these are bad choices. You can have a great experience at any of them.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Thank you for your reaction.</p>
<p>Do you know if the undergraduate school rankings from Business Week are anything to go by?</p>
<p>Also, can someone tell me something about the states Colorado and Kentucky?
I am leaning towards the University of Louisville and Colorado State University!</p>
<p>Thank you all.</p>
<p>How exciting? May I ask if you are a racial minority?</p>
<p>What do you mean???</p>
<p>Are you in a non majority racial group see dictionary</p>
<p>[Racial</a> - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary](<a href=“http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racial]Racial”>Racial Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster)</p>
<p>I am Asian (from India), but was born and raised in the Netherlands.</p>
<p>Normally, I don’t really worry about racism as I have never encountered it here in Holland. The reason I asked though was, because some teachers at my university warned me that I may want to consider this possibility while going to states like Texas (no offence) for example.</p>
<p>Does that answer your question;)???</p>
<p>Be sure to let your teachers know that Texas is one of the few states that is majority minority.</p>
<p>There are scads of Asian Indians at colleges and universities in the US. This isn’t something that would be expected to cause problems for you. What might surprise your classmates is that you are from Holland rather than Bangalore or the suburbs of Washington, DC!</p>
<p>If you want to, you can use the relative rankings of the various universities at Business Week, or USNWR, or wherever else appeal to you. However, since you are coming for only a semester, that information may not be pertinent. </p>
<p>Louisville is a charming, southern city. If you are there during the spring term, you can attend the Kentucky Derby. Fort Collins is in a more rural location, but in cold weather you can go skiing every weekend. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may prefer Fort Collins (drier climate) to Louisville (damper climate).</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply =). It was very helpfull. I don’t suffer from seasonal allergies, nor do I like the cold and snow that much;)… We get enough of that in Holland. I heared that Fort Collins is a really nice student town though.</p>
<p>From which city would it be the easiest to travel without having a driver’s license? And would it be possible for me to get my license when I am there?</p>
<p>Also, if you would look at the list I have posted above, which city and university would be your first choice and why?</p>
<p>Your foreign driver’s license will be recognized in the US provided you arrange to have the proper translation documentation taken care of before you leave Holland. Usually this is coordinated by the local equivalent of the American Automobile Association. There are limits on how long you can drive here with a foreign license, so you do need to check up on that.</p>
<p>The continental US is big. Really, really big. Australia big. A lot of Europeans don’t get that. Both [Google</a> Maps](<a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps) and [MapQuest</a> Maps - Driving Directions - Map](<a href=“http://www.mapquest.com%5DMapQuest”>http://www.mapquest.com) can give you driving time estimates in the US and Canada. For example, Mapquest estimates about 18 hours of road time from Fort Collins to Louisville. It would be another 10 or 11 hours to get to Washington, DC.</p>
<p>If you are looking at connections by air, you can check [KAYAK</a> - Cheap Flights, Hotels, Airline Tickets, Cheap Tickets, Cheap Travel Deals - Compare Hundreds of Travel Sites At Once](<a href=“http://www.kayak.com%5DKAYAK”>http://www.kayak.com) That will help you figure out which airlines serve the cities you are interested in. Be sure to check the option for “nearby airports”. In the case of Fort Collins, this would include Denver. Rail connections can be found through [Amtrak[/url</a>] Bus service varies by part of the country. The only national line that I can think of is [url=<a href=“http://www.greyhound.com/]Greyhound.com”>http://www.greyhound.com/]Greyhound.com</a> | Home](<a href=“http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage]Amtrak[/url”>http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage) For even more idea, check out each of these cities with [Lonely</a> Planet Travel Guides and Travel Information](<a href=“http://www.lonelyplanet.com/us]Lonely”>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/us)</p>
<p>To be honest, I really can’t advise you on which city would be “better”. It does all come down to your personal taste. An old college pal of mine is now on the faculty at U of Kentucky in Louisville, so I’d probably choose that city because I could sit in her library and read fun stuff while she graded papers!</p>