Pennsylvania is nicknamed the Keystone State for its close proximity to many other regions. The state borders Lake Erie and Canada to the north, and the Mason-Dixon Line to the south which marks the start of the country’s southern region. It also borders New York in the east and Ohio and West Virginia in the west.
The cost of living in Pennsylvania is around the average cost of living in the United States, with housing less expensive than average.
There’s no denying that studying abroad is expensive, especially in the US. However, a number of institutions across the country offer financial aid packages that cover the full cost of tuition and in some cases room and board, study materials and even food.
Many of these universities require students to enrol in work programmes to “earn” their financial aid, which can also help boost a student’s career prospects on graduation.
Whether you’re interested in the great outdoors, the history and culture of the US or dining on the finest Tex-Mex cuisine, Texas is a great place to study.
Houston is home to 22 Fortune 500 companies (fourth behind New York City, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth), 5,000 energy-related firms, Nasa’s Johnson Space Center and the largest medical centre in the world, meaning students have a wealth of employment opportunities and work experience options.
Historically speaking, women’s colleges have been places of mentorship, leadership and sisterhood for talented women who were previously denied educational opportunities because of their gender.
Although many female colleges have now merged, closed or become co-ed, a number of women-only institutions remain, offering a unique educational experience you may not have considered before.
But what’s it like being an international student at an all-women’s university?
Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois.
Students might find that they don’t need to leave the city to find employment as Chicago is home to the headquarters of Google, Boeing and Grubhub, among many others.
Chicago has many interesting sites, bars and restaurants to visit, as well as several music and cultural events throughout the year. The city’s waterside position offers space to relax, go for a jog or walk with friends.
Austin, the capital city of the state of Texas, is known for its live music, history, natural beauty and creative community. Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World“, offering a plethora of music, arts and culture.
Austin is home to many lakes and rivers, including Lake Travis and Lady Bird Lake, as well as the Colorado River, McKinney Falls and Barton Springs.
Texas is the second largest state in the USA. Known as the "Lone Star State", Texas covers a huge area in the deep south of the United States.
The state has a wide range of landscapes and environments, from the seaside towns on the gulf coast to the plains of the panhandle in the North, including swamps, rolling prairies, forests. The western mountains and the deserts form the backdrop to the cowboy films that give Texas its "Wild West" image.
Houston is the city with the highest population and home to many of the most prestigious universities in Texas.
New York, New York, the state that never sleeps. What better place to spend your student years? Four years won’t be nearly enough time to exhaust all there is to see and do in New York but if you’re up to the challenge, it’s definitely worth a try.
Just exploring the museums is an education in itself, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Guggenheim. Each of the neighbourhoods has its own individual character and you’re bound to find your favourite spot.
The West Coast of the US might only be made up of three states, but that doesn’t mean it is lacking in excellent universities. Home to some of the best universities in the country, the West Coast is a good place to head to if you are looking for beautiful nature and bustling cities and towns.
Country music, BBQ food, a river (and its matching state) that no one can spell, cowboys...these are some of the things that have long defined the Southern states of the US.
However, in reality, each of the 16 states in the south of the country has a unique identity and culture that can appeal to a diverse range of students. From the sunny beaches of Florida to the thriving music scene in Tennessee and delicious Creole food in Louisiana, there is so much going on that it might be tricky for you to pick which state to go to.