Thinking of exchange in the US - where should I go?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I<code>m currently studying in Australia and I</code>m thinking of going on exchange early 2008. My uni has partnerships with quite a number of other colleges, and these are the ones in the US that I`m eligible for (many others were faculty-specific):</p>

<p>Arizona State University
California State University (I could choose a campus)
Central Washington University
New Jersey State Colleges (Montclair, Rowan, Richard Stockton, College of New Jersey, William Paterson)
Oswego State University, NY
Purdue University
San Jose State University
University of Alabama
University of Florida
University of Texas, San Antonio</p>

<p>(quite honestly I would rather go on something like Semester at Sea for that semester, but I don't know if my uni would accept credit for it!)</p>

<p>I'm currently doing an undergrad in Creative Industries (specializing in Writing & Management). However, this exchange would be to fulfill electives so I could pretty much choose whatever - I'd like to do something related to creativity, social work, or education. I would also like a university that was somewhat alternative/different in its approach - something like the ones in "Colleges that Change Lives".</p>

<p>Some other factors:
* I'm not into sports, partying, or frats/sororities
* I am into creativity, performing, social work, community work/volunteering, and activism
* I learn best through experiential/hands-on learning (I'm ok with writing papers, but if I have to write a million I'll drown. And my next semester is 100% paper, go figure.)
* Weatherwise, mild is ok but I have no special preference
* I need something to do!
* Diversity and openminded-ness are important</p>

<p>How are those universities? Are any of them particularly "outside-the-lines"-ey? Any recommendations?</p>

<p>Thank you! :)</p>

2

<p>I'd go for UC Berkeley.</p>

3

<p>It's the Cal State universities that are open to me, not the UCs - and I've been told that the two are on different systems.</p>

<p>edit: yep checked! Berkeley is not in the Cal State campus list. Strange how this is the SECOND time I'm getting this rec!</p>

4

<p>Well Berkeley is a complete match for what you want. The Cal states are a whole different thing. Most are huge, with huge classes and little campus life. Maybe San Diego State U would be closest. In all honesty none of the schools on the list represent America's finest, so as long as you're aware of that just choose the location you want.</p>