Study Abroad in the United States: Language & Culture

American culture has become a focal point for the world. From TV shows like Friends and How I Met Your Mother to classic works of literature like Little Women and The Great Gatsby, American culture has come to dominate the Anglophone world. In fact, American English has become so dominant that it’s now the standard version of the language worldwide.

But if American books and entertainment have come to be known the world over, then its food is even more dominant. Most people in the world have probably eaten at McDonalds or Subway or enjoyed a Coke. But this is only scratching the surface. From the fusion cuisine of New Mexico, to the soul food of Louisiana, to the indigenous food enjoyed in Alaska, to the pizzerias of New York, to the world of cheese produced in Wisconsin, the United States is a foodie’s dream. 

Food aside, the United States also offers you the perfect opportunity to practice, not only the world’s lingua franca, but also another major language: Spanish. Spanish is widely spoken across the United States. The further south you go, the more common it becomes. In fact, in some areas of states that span the Mexican border as well as in southern Florida, Spanish is more widely spoken than English.

But the United States is also home to another popular tradition: the Great American Roadtrip. Starting in Boston, New York or Miami and ending in Seattle, San Francisco or Portland, Oregon, you can take in the sights and sounds of this continent-sized country. The Great American Roadtrip truly is one of the perks of studying in the United States.

The Great American Roadtrip can be enjoyed in all weathers. But the climate is also something you should bear in mind. The East Coast, particularly Florida, can be hit during hurricane season. During the winter months, Hawaii can also be deluged by rain. While northern states in the Corn Belt and the Rust Belt, as well as Alaska, can be hit hard by snow. But, after one winter in the United States, you’ll probably be used to all that the weather can throw at you.