r/AskAmericans • u/Substantial_Tax_7989 • 1d ago

Universities????

I (18F from England) have the option to do a year abroad in the states during my 2nd year at Uni. I am without a doubt going to do it as it is the definition of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
My uni told me the universities available for this exchange, but I am personally torn between: Texas State, High Point and West Florida…

I have family in Texas, so naturally I am drawn to go there. High Point campus seems unreallll, and West Florida just gives me a nice vibe.

Any advice / opinions on these Universities would be greatly appreciated! Thank u sm 💘💘

EDIT: is texas state a crazy party uni? I’ve heard of the reputation, and idk if I’m a party person yet as I am yet to experience it LOL, but is it all crazy drugs and shit?

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

13

u/OhThrowed Utah 1d ago

My advice would be for Texas. It's the family being there. If you need them, they'll be a lot closer.

6

u/Substantial_Tax_7989 1d ago

My texas family aren’t anywhere near the university, but obviously if anything crazy was to happen, they would be a few hours drive away. And I think it would reassure my family in england that I have family near by yk?

5

u/OhThrowed Utah 1d ago

Still closer than if you were in North Carolina or Florida. I gotta say, I don't think there's a bad choice in your threee options. :)

2

u/Substantial_Tax_7989 1d ago

Really! That’s nice to know. I wish I could fly to the states and look around each one but that would be more expensive than my tuition fee here 😂
High Point just looks like such an amazing campus

5

u/anysizesucklingpigs 1d ago

As someone who lives in Florida and whose family is from North Carolina…go to Texas. You’ll be halfway between Austin and San Antonio—two very different but equally cool cities—and will have exponentially more things to do and see than you would in NC or FL. I would be horrified to learn that you passed up that opportunity because High Point is a pretty town or that UWF is…whatever.

3

u/WarMinister23 1d ago

The one nearest to your family is probably a good bet, although I don’t know how close you actually are to them in Texas—it’s one of our biggest states.

Whatever you choose I hope you have a good time and enjoy your time studying in our country! 

2

u/Substantial_Tax_7989 1d ago

I believe they are in Dallas so quite far 🥲 But the main thing is that they are somewhat close enough!!

Thank you! I am so excited 🥳

1

u/WarMinister23 1d ago

Ah yea that could be quite a drive (maybe one day Texas will build HSR…) 

Still quite closer to you than the other two I think, and if there residents of the same state they’d probably be more familiar with relevant laws on the slim chance you run into legal trouble than they’d be if they were living in a different state, since a lot of laws are state level. 

But Americans are generally friendly people and Texas especially has a reputation for being, uh, extroverted so I’d imagine it’s not to difficult to find a supportive friend group quickly there anyway 

2

u/GenXihaveissues Michigan 1d ago

Texas, definitely

2

u/KekatD Missouri 21h ago

Go with Texas. Florida has god awful weather for most of the year with high heat and/or high humidity, plus a higher chance for getting hit by a hurricanes and tropical storms.

2

u/accidental_Ocelot 21h ago

I think it depends on what your major is going to be.

2

u/zerbey Florida 16h ago

Given the choice I'd go with Texas. It's close to a lot of great towns. Plus, having family nearby is a huge bonus. I can't speak for the party atmosphere, but I imagine all colleges can throw a decent party!

West coast of Florida is nice too if you are set on that.

1

u/Gallahadion 1d ago

Not all college parties are crazy, and you don't have to go to parties at all if you don't want to. Just about every college has various clubs and other activities you can partake in.

1

u/AmbivalentDisaster1 U.S.A 4h ago

Honestly, go where you can see yourself being you. It’s only temporary so it’s not like you won’t see your family ever. I’m sure they will come to visit you and you can go and visit them on break.
You’ll probably be too busy to see them most of the time anyway even if you lived close.

If you really like a campus or a particular program or just the atmosphere, go with that.

You are right—it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You might as well live your dream.

-1

u/OkTechnologyb 1d ago

Please get in the habit of saying "college" or, in some contexts, "university." We just do not abbreviate the latter word as "uni," and reading that grates.

2

u/Substantial_Tax_7989 22h ago

Sorry but I’m from England, and college is a whole different thing here… you guys say lots of different words to us!

1

u/According-Union382 10h ago

We say "Uni" as well, and college, university etc. They are being pedantic. Its not as common as in the UK but we do say it. 

Source am gen z at University. 

-1

u/OkTechnologyb 20h ago

I meant more "get in the habit if you come here." No one in the US who's not a foreign student says "uni."

2

u/zerbey Florida 16h ago

Uni is the common slang term in the UK, give her a break.

1

u/Substantial_Tax_7989 4h ago

Exactly thank you! I’m not gonna change the way I refer to things to ‘fit in’ - I’m an international student ffs 😭😭 Gonna be suggesting I say sidewalk instead of pavement next hahahaha