Many students planning to study in the United States choose universities and colleges that are tucked away in rural settings. The urban collegiate experience may be more familiar to students and may get more attention in recruiting materials, but for some students the best decision is to choose "the country." These campuses in the American countryside offer the following unique benefits.
Regional Access
Because of the interstate highway system and public transportation, even the most rural settings are only a short trip for a student to enjoy a weekend in a major city. While the excitement and draw of the metropolitan areas are certainly an important aspect of the study abroad student, too often the natural beauty of America's rural areas are overlooked. The agricultural areas of the United States offer their own beauty waiting to be explored.
Unhurried Lifestyle
When asked "What is the best feature of studying in rural Illinois?" International student Hiroaki Kim from Japan said, "I appreciate the slower lifestyle of Charleston, Illinois." He believes that this pace of life allows for greater appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds the campus. In addition, he compared the ease of getting from place to place that he now enjoys to the challenges of the commuter trains of his native Japan. For him, this has been an enjoyable experience.
Remarkable Safety
While personal safety can never be 100% guaranteed, generally speaking in the U.S. people are less likely to be the victim of violent crime in smaller towns and villages. The statistics of violent crime drop dramatically in the rural settings compared to the urban setting. According to the United States Department of Justice website, the statistical data shows that "Urban residents had the highest violent victimization rates, followed by suburban resident rates. Rural residents had the lowest rates." This level of safety is very attractive.
Academic focus
Many students enjoy the lack of distractions on a rural campus. Sometimes grade point averages suffer when too much fun is readily available. When asked why he chose a rural campus, Hassan Alsultan, a graduate student from Saudi Arabia who studies at Eastern Illinois University, said "I can focus more on my studies." He appreciates the ability to concentrate on homework and projects without an abundance of interruptions to his daily schedule.
Local Welcome
Country hospitality is a cliché in America and international students quickly experience its warmth upon arrival. Most of the rural people crave the diversity that college students from around the world bring to their communities and are eager to show kindness to their guest students. Internationals are often asked to share their cultures not only on campus, but also in area elementary schools, civic organizations, and churches. By choosing such a campus, multi-cultural opportunities abound and provide much needed global perspectives.
When looking for a country in which to study, be sure to check out the "country" of that country.
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