Two students walking on the water front of New York City

Life in the USA

Known around the world for its high academic standards, diverse culture and wealth of opportunities, the USA is a popular choice among international students for studying abroad.

“When I first came to the USA, I had a lot to learn about the culture. It was challenging at first, but now I love it here. Give yourself the opportunity to be open to new experiences — everything you’re doing will pay off in the end.”
Genesis from Ecuador,
Business student at Pace University

We asked Kaplan student Jecky for his 3 tips for life in the USA…

Build connections and networks
Develop your self-confidence by starting conversations with faculty, fellow students and others — you never know what might turn into a friendship, mentorship or opportunity!
Join clubs and organizations
Student clubs are a great way to get to know your peers and to learn more about American culture, which can go a long way toward helping you fit in.
Become a peer advisor
Help international students adjust to life in America and, at the same time, solidify your own working knowledge of the country while bonding with others.

USA locations

Learn more about the different US locations where you could study.

Boston
The USA’s #1 student city located on the coast of New England.
Connecticut
A gorgeous state with an ideal location near several major East Coast cities.
New York
The world-famous “city that never sleeps” known for its rich culture and endless opportunities.
Phoenix
A diverse cultural crossroads in a state full of stunning natural landscapes.

Food, music and sport

The USA has a massive sports culture and world-famous food and restaurant scene.

Must-try foods in the USA

A Thanksgiving dinner

Perhaps the most quintessential all-American meal (which only comes once a year) includes roasted turkey, “stuffing,” cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and cornbread — and not to mention the pumpkin pie for dessert.

The Philly cheesesteak

Whether you’re in Philadelphia or not, you can find America’s iconic sandwich virtually anywhere. Typically made with frizzled beef, onions, green peppers and American cheese, and served on a large sub roll.

American barbecue

The USA has certainly added its own distinct flavors to the worldwide tradition of grilled and smoked meats. American barbecue typically consists of pork or beef slathered in barbecue sauce and smoked over a coal or wood fire. Americans often serve BBQ with coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob and cornbread.

A couple of Pace University students walking on a New York bridge — 8 reasons why you should study abroad in the USA11 min read

5 ways to make the most of your US university experience

8 min read

A closer look at the USA’s most popular music festivals

Spring

SXSW (Austin, TX)
South-by-South-West is ten full days of film, music and comedy held in one of America’s most artsy cities, Austin.
Coachella (Indio, CA)
Featuring famous artists like Billie Eilish and Harry Styles, 100,000+ attendees visit the California desert for this festival each year.

Summer

Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
Hosting some of the world’s biggest artists, this festival brings 400,000+ attendees to the famous Grant Park in Chicago.
Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI)
Held several times throughout June and July, Summerfest features a whopping 800+ artists.

Fall/Autumn

Electric Zoo (New York, NY)
Bass, techno and electronic music lovers can rejoice at this long weekend dance festival that has a new dress theme each year.
Austin City Limits (Austin, TX)
A festival taking place over two weekends and featuring some of America’s biggest names in music.

The top five sporting events in the USA

American Football (September to February)
American football games take place on Sundays in cities across the USA. The country’s biggest sporting event, “the Super Bowl”, is held every February.
NBA Basketball (October to June)
America’s second most-popular sport (after football) is played throughout the week in most major US cities.
Major League Baseball (April to October)
Some famous places to watch MLB games are Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee Stadium in New York City.
US Open (August to September)
The USA’s biggest international tennis event is held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York every year.
NASCAR (February to November)
The NASCAR Cup hosts racing events across the USA, changing locations every week.