Wherever you study in America, you will find a lot to keep you occupied. In this huge country of 50 diverse states, the attractions are unending. From the sights and sounds of New York to the beaches of California, international students are spoiled for choice – so it can be hard to know where to start. To offer some inspiration, we set out some of the top things to do while studying in the USA.
Eat American food
You may well have already formed ideas about what food is like in the USA. Images of big meals, burgers and fries are common in the imagination of non-Americans. Undoubtedly, fast food is a firm fixture on the country's menu, but there is much more to its culinary culture than that.
Being such a big and diverse place, the USA has a full plate of varied cuisines. You could try Cajun cooking in New Orleans, Tex-Mex treats in Houston, or a Mississippi mud pie – and that's just for starters. International cultures also play an important part in the country's mealtimes. In big cities in particular, you could try a new dish from around the world every night of the week.
For some more thoughts on what to eat at university, consider these healthy foods for students.
Visit iconic attractions
The USA is home to some of the most recognisable landmarks in the world. From natural wonders to man-made marvels, you can find these all over the country. Depending on where you study, you could start with one of the following incredible sights.
Mount Rushmore
Interested in American history and politics? Few things symbolise them more than Mount Rushmore. This huge granite sculpture is visited by over two million people each year in the state of South Dakota. It features the faces of four US presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – all carved into a huge cliff with great detail.
Niagara Falls
The sight of water rushing down at Niagara Falls will stay with you forever. Found on the border of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario, this collection of powerful waterfalls attracts many millions of tourists each year. See it up close on a boat tour along the Niagara River, and feel the mist right in front of you.
Want to study in the state of New York? Check out the following universities:
Yosemite National Park
Sitting within the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, Yosemite National Park is an explorer's paradise. Deep valleys join skyscraping cliffs to make this an incredible place for hiking and climbing. There are around 800 miles of walkable trails, including one that takes you up the famous Half Dome rock formation. It's a long way up, but the views are worth it.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
If you study in Los Angeles, you can walk with the stars. The mile-long Hollywood Walk of Fame features the names of almost 3,000 icons of sound, stage and screen. Each one is contained within a star-shaped plaque, embedded into sidewalks at the heart of America's entertainment industry. Take a stroll and see who you can spot – it's completely free to do.
Central Park
Appearing in many famous films and TV shows, the picturesque Central Park is a beautiful place to take a break, right in the middle of New York City. Whether you visit in the height of summer or a wondrously snowy winter, you will see exactly why it is such a popular attraction. Its 1.3 square miles of lush lawns and biodiversity are a huge contrast to the hustle and bustle of the skyscraping city beyond.
Watch live sport
American sport culture is a whole world of its own, and an exciting one to enter. Much of it focuses on the Big Four professional leagues of baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey. Beyond that, the amateur college sports system is also immensely popular. Games between university teams attract huge attendances, with the record standing at almost 157,000.
Baseball
This sport is so popular in America that it has its own anthem. Take Me Out to the Ball Game is sung at almost every fixture in Major League Baseball (MLB), its premier competition. Hearing it ring out at Fenway Park in Boston or Wrigley Field in Chicago will be something you always remember. Many people highlight this as one of the must-do things for international students in the USA.
Basketball
If you prefer your sports indoors, basketball could be for you. The USA is home to its very best players and teams, spread around the country in its huge NBA competition. You could watch the Hawks take on the Heat in Atlanta and Miami, or see famous names like Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić rise high. Wherever you go, you can expect some astounding acts of athleticism.
American football
You don't need a ticket to the Super Bowl to see some fantastic football action. America's most popular sport is played across the country throughout autumn and winter. A lot of attention is paid to the high-stakes NFL professional competition, but you can also enjoy the entertainment of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This is where college teams battle for pride and glory. It's a big part of university culture in the USA, and attracts huge crowds.
Take a road trip
In the land of the limitless Route 66, there is always room for a road trip. Often, this is by necessity, as large parts of the USA can only be easily navigated by car or coach. Long journeys are common, and while they can be challenging, they offer a lot to enjoy. The freedom of the open road could make you completely content for the whole ride to your destination – and that may be even better.
There are plenty of inspiring places to stop on any big American road trip. Highlights include the many vast national parks that are dotted around the country, all ready for you to explore. If you're in the northwest, you might like the partly volcanic Yellowstone, which was the first designated national park in the world. Head south, and you can visit Grand Canyon National Park, named after the famous river gorge.
When you're recharged and ready to return somewhere more populated, the nation's highways can take you there. Explore some of your options with our guide to the best student cities in the USA.
If our list of must-do things for international students in the USA has got you thinking more about the country, why not explore it further? You can read our reasons to study in the USA, or discover the country's top universities. Alternatively, you can seek out your ideal college course in the USA now with our simple search tool.
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