Over the past few years, the US has dominated the globe in being the most popular university destination for students from all over the world. Somehow, even with the growth of other English-taught options in other countries, numerous students still choose to study in the USA.
Why do international students choose studying in the USA? To answer this question, we will run through the top five reasons students tend to always choose American universities for their international education, and what sets these universities apart.
1. U.S. degrees have an excellent international reputation
It’s hardly a secret that top universities in the US continue to maintain a strong presence among the best ranked education institutions in the world. Partially this has to do with how well-funded and supported American universities are, but it also has to do with the high academic standards and rigorous requirements that they instil in their students.
With their always-changing and evolving classrooms, these universities continue to attract students from all over the world, and are courageously working every year to change the education they deliver so that foreign students from all over the world are prepared to go back home and find wonderful careers opportunities.
2. American universities are bastions of cultural diversity
Nearly every university in the US takes diversity to be one of their defining pillars. Historically, there has been a strong effort within the structure of these higher education institutions to increase the number of educational opportunities and make cultural diversity central to the enrollment and admission efforts.
Students often remark that their classes and dormitories are full of students from every nationality, religion, or ethnicity, and having access to and contact with so many cultural backgrounds makes the experience that much more thrilling.
If you go to a university in the US, you will feel immediately comfortable around people who share a similar background and who have new ideas and perspectives to share. Studying abroad, in general, is one way to nurture your tolerance and openness to other cultures; studying abroad in America adds another dimension, exposing you not only to the US culture, but to the languages and beliefs of people from nationalities all over the world.
3. U.S. universities offer excellent support facilities
In an effort to make your transition to a US university smoother, these institutions offer plenty of support to prepare international students for their classes. Through various workshops, English-language practice courses, orientations, and trainings, foreign students are given plenty of help to get them ready for their classes.
Moreover, there is some effort to allow international students the ability to stay in the US after they graduate, so that they can attempt to pursue a wonderful career at some of the world’s biggest companies. In 2016, a massive effort was taken to allow graduates from STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to stay for 24 months to get work experience and extend their stay.
With this opportunity, you have the chance to look for work in fields that are always seeking ambitious and hard-working students; and with this extension, you can stay in the US to find your footing at some of the biggest companies.
There are extraordinary study opportunities all over the US and they are available to students everywhere:
4. US universities invest in optimised classroom experiences
As technology continues to innovate and change the way that information is delivered, university classrooms are trying to keep in step with the rapid acceleration of ideas.
By giving students more access to web-based classes, utilising computer-based tests, and allowing students to use different labs and resources, universities are able to give you the latest and most modern classroom experience that you can imagine.
Check out some of the most high-tech universities in the US:
- California Institute of Technology
- Cornell University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of California, Los Angeles
With these advanced capabilities and access to all kinds of resources, American universities keep the education up-to-date, with all of the gadgets and engaging virtual experiences that this generation of students is already accustomed to.
If you study in the USA, you will find yourself immediately introduced to new ways of studying, learning, researching, and taking tests.
Also, have a look at this article about the Most Beautiful College Campuses in the United States and see why studying in America might feel like you're on a luxury vacation all the time.
5. American universities offer a flexible academic environment
Studying abroad in America provides an ideal environment for students, characterized by flexible methods of education and continuous development process for students in the various fields of studies.
Depending on your strengths, interests, and goals, U.S. universities deliberately shift their classroom structures and instruction methods to make learning engaging and, at the same time, relevant to your own domain.
US colleges and universities are notoriously casual and relaxed. Students are under no obligation to show up to every single class, or to stay for an entire lecture. Now, just because you can avoid and skip classes, it doesn’t mean you should.
Don't know where to start? Here are a few American universities we recommend: