<p>Hi I am from Australia and I have been accepted for study abroad in second semester. Right now i am debating between going to University of arizona in Tucson or Ohio university in Athens. I am currently studying english and drama teaching so academically they are both fine. What i need is an honest opinion of the lifestyle of the areas. Like will it be annoying in athens or tucson without a car? are the people nice? is living in the dorms annoying? are there bars and stuff to see live music? hows the weather? I have been to the states before to PA and NYC..absoloutly love the place...just wanna make sure i wont be stranded all the time at college with nothing to do! anyway it may seem trivial but i just would love to make the right decision!
thank you</p>
<p>I know almost nothing about both colleges, but you probably would get more help if you retitled the thread: "University of Arizona or Ohio-Athens"</p>
<p>I'll help you with the bit I know. There's plenty of night life and bars along 4th Ave from what I remember. I haven't been to Tuscon for quite along time, but it seem like it may be a hard time without a car, but it's do-able and the feel seemed fine. UofArizona is known to have house parties always going, they never die down, and with such a large community, I doubt you could ever feel bored or isolated.</p>
<p>The campus has flaming passion for sports, the whole city... if you're there for second semester, you'll be there for basketball season, and that's when the whole city unites to cheer on the team, lots of spirit.</p>
<p>I do hope there is some more contributions about Arizona from other CCers, b/c after your liking to PA and NYC, you'll find that Tuscon and UofA have a very different ambience that you may or may not enjoy. Going from Manhattan to Palm Trees & Desert is quite a leap.</p>
<p>Ozzie which second semester do you mean? The second half of 2006 (australias second semester) or the american second semester (spring session) which is the first half of 2007. </p>
<p>I am a aussie going on exchange too... its so hard to pick via websites isnt it.... good luck! :)</p>
<p>I don't know anything about either university, but you do English and drama, so I gather you have cultural-aesthetic sensibilities--on this basis , I'd choose Arizona over Ohio--but I hope I provoke some Ohio folks into giving you a pep talk on their state.</p>
<p>Talk about stark differences...</p>
<p>Arizona: desert and mountains, warm all year round, city of about 1.5 million, giant saguaro cactus, blue sky practically every day, compact western campus (for a school of 35000), the AZ culture (its still the wild west in a lot of that state), if you know someone with a car you're within driving distance of some of the most spectacular scenery in the country (Grand Canyon, Byrce Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion, Arches), not a better place if you like the outdoors</p>
<p>Ohio: mid-size midwestern campus, temperate climate, snow if you're there in the winter, fall colors, college-town (Athens revolves around OU), it's suppossed to be a very pretty part of the state (rolling hills), much closer to Eastern cities if you plan on any travel there.</p>
<p>Heya how are ya? so good to hear you are heading abroad as well. I am looking at going in the australian second semester 2006. Probably head over there start of July to catch up with some of my friends in the states and then get to studying! And yes...the web sites are so irritating to navigate..i dont care what part of the states I am in as long as i can still maintain independence and not be too reliant upon other people with cars etc, and the web sites dont say much about transportation etc..but it will all be good i am gonna love it no matter what. Hope all goes well with your plans!</p>
<p>thanks to all who replied and for all the advice. I think i am gonna head to Ohio..cant wait to be in the states again! take care all :-)</p>
<p>Thats the semester i am going :)</p>
<p>Hope your plans go well too! </p>
<p>Check out the princeton review website for more detailed reviews if you like.</p>