<p>I'm from Europe and I am applying to many different colleges right now. I have lived in California 3 years now and I have a couple of good friends, but overall, I had a better social life back home. I have a horrible accent and my manners/behavior is sometimes very European, which quickly separates me as a foreigner. However, I don't feel completely at home in Europe either since I became a little Americanized.
Anyway, I wanted to go to a LAC because I thought that I would live as an American with almost no contact with "real world" hahha meaning that there would be no people from my country and I could finally become American. Also, it seems like a perfect place to speak only English for 4 years (except for summers) which would help my accent.
However, do you think it's a good idea for a foreigner to attend a small, isolated college in US? I have second thoughts now, like what if I won't have any friends etc...
Any thoughts?</p>
<p>My impression is that European universities tend to be large “listen to the lecture” schools, whereas most LACs have a conference style, where every student is expected to participate in the discussion, and you can’t hide. If you don’t care about this style difference, consider both and ignore the distinction. Not all LACs are isolated; you’ll have friends if you like people. :)</p>
<p>I think you would like a LAC a lot. Maybe try to find one that has a significant international population, as that would indicate that students at that school wouldn’t be so quick to judge “foreigners” as being different.</p>
<p>Raelah, but if i go to, for example, Macalester, with a significant international population, I won’t be able speak only English and immerse into American culture… and that’s one of my goals</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t you be able to speak only English? All your classes and probably almost all of your interactions with people would be in English. There are international students who try to find others who speak their native language, but you don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.</p>
<p>I agree with teenage_cliche.</p>
<p>And vossron makes an important point about the style difference. Anyone trying to master English (including native speakers) would be well-served at a LAC because of the focus on writing and on discussion in class. And there are urban and suburban LACs if you aren’t keen to be too isolated. If you give us more info on your grades/test scores and interests, we can help.</p>
<p>m’s mom - I have 3.7 uw, 3.9 w, 4.0 uc gpa (cali resident)
112 toefl
2050 Sat’s - 630 R, 740 M 680 W
taking 4 ap classes this year (except for ap physics, I’m doing well so far)
tennis team, some volunteering abroad in the summer
fluent in 3 languages ( and got a rec from Spanish teacher, it’s pretty good, she mentions that I speak 5 languages)</p>
<p>What subjects are you interested in studying? Do you have geographic preferences? Climate preference? ECs that require things like mountains or waves? Do you have a preference for an urban, suburban or rural location? Your SATs R and W are very good for a non-native speaker so don’t let that hold you back.</p>
<p>LACs tend to have strong cultures so you might want to spend some time getting a handle on where you fit. They can be more or less conservative socially and politically (although most are pretty liberal). To get some sense of the differences, read up on Reed, Vassar, Oberlin, Grinnell, Bowdoin, Swarthmore and Davidson. If you see a school that has a ‘feel’ that you like, we can suggest others that are similar.</p>
<p>oh yeah, I’m interested in economics (it looks like all colleges have this major) and maybe languages. Looking at schools in NE and Midwest, basically places where it snows and there are 4 seasons. I don’t want schools like Oberlin (too liberal, I’m not American but if i were I would be conservative; I’m not too into politics) and Reed (I want a more traditional college).</p>
<p>“Reed (I want a more traditional college)”</p>
<p>Reed’s curriculum is quite traditional, sometimes compared to that of UChicago. But Reed is a tad liberal. ;)</p>
<p>any suggestions?</p>
<p>One idea: UC Berkeley and live at International House. Students from all over the world choose to live together. The location is great for a quick walk to class. Your classes and activities will all be in English, but your living space will be cosmopolitan.</p>
<p>svm, i doubt that’s a good idea because that’s exactly what I’m afraid of - only hanging out woth internationals. I want to experience real america, and american people… live like an american… so that’s why i though LAC would be a better choice. Unless, of course, people don’t accept me… that would be hard(</p>
<p>Oberlin, Reed and Wesleyan are certainly lefty. So, LACs that are a bit more centerist and/or especially respectful of political differences? Take a look at Bowdoin (SAT optional) and Colby in Maine. St. Olaf’s in Northfield, Minnesota is centerist. Grinnell is definitely liberal but also has a very accepting ‘come as you are’ culture so you won’t be marginalized. My impression is Middlebury is quite liberal, but has a centerist contingent and is known for the summer language programs. I would also encourage you to look at Davidson dispite its southern location. I should add that this is based on my ‘gut feel’ after reading up and visiting these schools, but someone who has attended may be able to give you a more accurate read.</p>
<p>All the top LACs have decent economics so that’s not an issue. If you are interested in an unusual language, you will have to check whether it’s offfered at a particular school in sufficient depth to be useful to you.</p>
<p>“One idea: UC Berkeley and live at International House. Students from all over the world choose to live together. The location is great for a quick walk to class. Your classes and activities will all be in English, but your living space will be cosmopolitan.”</p>
<p>Gee, I didn’t know the bay area was serving up four seasons now?</p>
<p>Lefleur, I don’t know if I’ve replied to you previously or not , but what about the U of Rochester? Perhaps a small university would be a good compromise for you. With a student population in the 5,000 range, you might have a better chance of finding friends without getting lost in the crowd. Your stats are perfect for U of R. Rochester has a four season climate although winter can be a little long. Approximately 10% of the students are international but nearly 50% are from New York State. U of R has a great economics department and offered about a dozen foreign languages. The city of Rochester is highly ranked with many cultural opportunites, great medical care and an international airport but not huge.</p>
<p>^^ Smartass.</p>
<p>Spring: <a href=“http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg[/url]”>http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg</a>
Summer: <a href=“http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg[/url]”>http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg</a>
Fall: <a href=“http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg[/url]”>http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg</a>
Winter: <a href=“http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg[/url]”>http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg</a></p>
![http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg[/url]](http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/a/elderhostel/PanoramicBest.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>I-House kinda sucks now with all the football stadium construction going on next door…</p>
<p>Either way, you will be fine. Some northeast options: Hobart; Alfred; Franklin & Marshall; Muhlenberg; Drew; Dickinson; Ursinus; Union; Skidmore; Bucknell</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
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<p>Well, I think your board scores are a little low for some of the more liberal LACs. Trinity in Hartford (CT) is a great school with a strong conservative contingent (George Will and that guy who had the tussle with Jon Stewart some years back – I’m too lazy to google his name – both went there.) I’d also look into Hamilton College in Clinton (NY); socially, it’s not particularly conservative, but, I wouldn’t call it politically active either. And, both are in NESCAC so you get some of that “little ivy” ambience that people identify with the East.</p>
<p>thank you for suggestions!
In general, do you think it’s harder to have a good social life at a LAC, esp. for an international?</p>