<p>Hi everyone,
I am studying in France and have elected University of South Carolina (Darla Moore) for my exchange semester abroad next year.
I will come in January with a friend that also chose USC.
I have some questions, if you guys could answer, that would help us a lot !
About the housing, we were thinking of choosing to be there : <a href="http://www.housing.sc.edu/virtualtour/apartment_style/west_quad/west_quad_floorplan.htmlDo%5B/url%5D">http://www.housing.sc.edu/virtualtour/apartment_style/west_quad/west_quad_floorplan.htmlDo</a> you have some informations about the prices ? Would you advice us to consider other houses ? Can we choose to live together ?
About the city, are there some things to do there ? How about the cost of living ?<br>
Also, and mainly, how are the teachers and the courses ? Is Is the campus animated ? Are there special activities for international students ?
Thanks a lot !
Soraya</p>
<p>Okay, if I saw that right (the link didn’t exactly work), you want to live in West Quad? From what I’ve heard, it’s a great place. These are all of the undergraduate housing rates:
[University</a> Housing](<a href=“Housing - Housing | University of South Carolina”>Housing - Housing | University of South Carolina)
You and your friend can both select eachother to be roommates on the housing application form, and you’ll most likely be placed together (although there’s no guarantee).</p>
<p>Columbia is a great city. There’s tons of different things to do, whether you want to go to Five Points or a free movie at the student union, Russell House. </p>
<p>I can’t really speak for the courses, since I don’t know what you’ll be taking. But, the international program is great. They really try to create a community for the international students through activities, excursions, and programs, such as the Conversation Partners Program (which I was a part of this year).</p>
<p>Bonjour! A lot of the foreign exchange students from France end up being placed in either the French House or the Carolina Global Community in Maxcy. Next year, Maxcy will be the International House and will also host the French House, so you might end up living there. I lived there this year and it was a pretty good experience. I met several French students through it. (Which is great for me, because I’m a French major!)</p>
<p>Since you’re coming in January, housing is a little more complicated. The majority of the rooms are already filled, because most people don’t change dorms between fall and spring semesters. You could end up with your friend in the dorm you want, or you could end up in some random place and your friend in another. Things happen.</p>
<p>Columbia can be a really fun place. It isn’t nearly as busy as say Paris, but there are lots of parties on the weekends and lots of bars and clubs. If you’re from Paris, the cost of living will be a lot cheaper, if you’re from other places it’s probably about the same. I know that the school I’m considering studying at my junior year is in Alsace and the cost of living is a little less than here. But overall, I think most parts of France compare very well to Columbia.</p>
<p>Here’s a suggestion: Get your driver’s license while you’re here if you don’t already have it in France! We have a reciprocal agreement with France. It’s a lot cheaper to get your license here and it’s also easier. If you get a license here, and then go back to France, it will exchange and you’ll get your French license without even having to take a test and you’ll have saved lots of money. I know a lot of French students who chose to do that here this year.</p>
<p>There are lots of activities for International students. I know some who participate in them and others who do not. But if you’re interested in them, they’re definitely there!</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the business teachers at USC, because I’m not a business student, but from what I’ve heard they’re really great.</p>
<p>Hey ! Thanks a lot for your answers. All these informations are really helping us.</p>
<p>Are there any cities to visit on week ends ?</p>
<p>I think the answer is “depends on your transportation situation”. If you have a car or access to one, you can visit mountains (Asheville area) or the beach. There’s Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, Charlotte…all great towns, it kind of depends on what you’re looking for. Sadly, we do not have good mass transit, so you can’t depend or buses or trains as a way to explore the south</p>
<p>A lot of people carpool to Charleston to go to the beach. That’s a really popular place and it’s only about 2 hours away.</p>
<p>My French friends ended up taking some interesting trips. For spring break, one guy I knew got together with some of the friends he had made here (who were also international students) and went down to Panama City in Florida.</p>
<p>Another went to Charleston for the weekend.</p>
<p>Since you’ll be here in the spring, you will have a week for spring break in which you might be able to take a bigger east coast trip to places like NY, DC, or Florida, all of which are 8+hours away. (There are some parts of Florida that are closer, but most of the popular beaches are further south.)</p>
<p>Some local “cities” to go to are Asheville, Charleston, Savannah, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta. South Carolina is a coastal state, so you’re pretty close to some really good beaches.</p>