If you’ve decided to study abroad in the United States, one of the first steps is choosing which English-proficiency exam is right for you. With the TOEFL iBT® test, you have a great option. One of the next steps is choosing where in the U.S. to study. Because it’s such a large and diverse country, choosing a destination within the country can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we have your guide to living in this exciting destination — keep reading to find out more. 

Location, location, location

If you’re not set on a specific school or degree program, your choices are wide open. Are you looking for city or country? Mountains or beach? All four seasons or warm year-round? The U.S. has all this and more. Plus, there are thousands of parks, beaches, nature preserves and historical places to visit and explore.

Let’s look into the diversity of the U.S. a little more…

In a city setting, you’ll likely never be bored. Think streets lined with diverse restaurants, great shopping, exciting social events, and endless arts and culture pursuits. Cities also mean easier access to public transportation — which is an important factor for international students to keep in mind. Something else to consider is what size city you want to live in — cities in the U.S. range from large (like New York City and Los Angeles) to small/medium (like Charleston and Seattle).

But if you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, perhaps a school in a country setting is for you. You’ll still find plenty to do — farm-to-table dining, outdoor activities like hiking and botanical gardens, and plenty of arts and culture. 

You can also opt for a school in a suburban setting. Often home to smaller schools, these areas tend to offer easy access to nearby cities, but aren’t quite out in the country either — in a way, they offer the best of both worlds.

If your ideal location includes sun and sand, then you’ll want to pick a school located on either the East or West Coast. Looking to sunbathe year-round? We recommend a school on the West Coast (Southern California, perhaps?) or one in the Southeast, like Florida. But if you want to experience all four seasons, focus on schools in the Northeast. (For seasonal variety AND beaches, look to states like New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut.) 

For more mountainous terrain and nature-focused pursuits, look at states like Colorado, Utah and Montana. These areas are prime for winter sports, like skiing and snowboarding. And in the other seasons, you can explore parks, forests and hiking trails.

Arts, culture, and history abound

For arts, culture and history buffs, the U.S. has you covered in every corner of the country — discover museums, concert venues, theater companies, outdoor art galleries and more.

If you love history, cities like Boston and Philadelphia, as well as states like New Jersey and Delaware, are rife with historical landmarks dating back to the origins of the United States — visit locations like the Liberty Bell (Philadelphia), Washington Crossing State Park (New Jersey/Pennsylvania) and the site of the Boston Tea Party, among many others.

Get there

To start your study-abroad journey in the United States, register for the TOEFL iBT® test. It’s accepted by 100% of universities in the U.S. and preferred by 9 out of 10.