South Carolina

Are you looking for a chance to get away and enjoy the beauty and excitement of the world around you? South Carolina is a state that can offer you mountains, valleys, and beaches, along with some of the highest ranked graduate programs in the United States.

Life in South Carolina

South Carolina is located in the Southeast United States, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of mostly plains, and has forests, some of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and coastal beaches. Because of the diverse landscape, South Carolina is a popular tourist attraction for those wishing to enjoy camping, fishing, mountain climbing, and endless water activities at the beach.

The climate in South Carolina features generally hot summers and mild winters. The population is around 4.2 million people, many living in the large urban areas like the cities of Charleston and Columbia. Transportation is easy with the many highways and bus routes available. Overall, the people of South Carolina tend to be fun-loving and adventurous, and enjoy a quality of life that comes from the affordable cost of living and safe environment, paired with the natural beauty of the state and the many activities available.

Graduate Education in South Carolina

There are 33 public and 30 private institutions in South Carolina. Public and private universities are seen to be good "value for your money" universities, because of the low cost and high academic standard offered. Many universities are located in urban settings, so getting around town and meeting new people is an easy task for. Though many public and private colleges are large, most pride themselves on the small classroom sizes and intimate feel of their college campuses.

Another point of pride of South Carolina institutions is their commitment to research and forming students of the world. There are numerous "high research" universities throughout the state. In addition, there are universities in South Carolina ranked in the top of the nation by US News. Among the top honors are number 2 for graduate international business, number 12 for graduate social psychology, number 1 for doctoral program in Exercise Science, and in the Top 100 "best value" colleges.

There are many academic reasons to attend the higher education institutions of South Carolina. Besides the excellent academics, quality of life in South Carolina can't be beat. There are cities to provide dining and entertainment opportunities, yet also a varied landscape to provide an escape from your every day routine.

International Graduate Students

International students will have no trouble receiving an education in South Carolina that will prepare them for their futures. South Carolina universities are nationally ranked in the top of international business, and their programs focus on preparing their students to exist in the global community. Professors pride themselves on cooperative learning in their classrooms, and appreciate the ideas and insight that students from all over the world can bring. There are many international students attending schools in South Carolina, and many organizations and clubs aiming to help students feel included in the community. People from all over the world study in South Carolina, so international students will learn about many different cultures while also experiencing the American way of life.

Financing Your Graduate Education

Most international students will not be able to receive financial aid from the United States government. However, there are still many options available for international students at the graduate level. Interested students can apply for teaching fellowships, grants, and scholarships through their individual colleges. Education in the United States is generally seen to be more expensive than in other areas of the world, but with the sterling reputation of the US higher education system and the numerous help available, international graduate students will be investing in their future while also benefiting by learning about the world around them

Why South Carolina?

Official state of South Carolina website: www.discover
southcarolina.com
Information on South Carolina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
South_carolina
South Carolina Higher Education: www.che400.state.sc.us

There are many reasons besides the excellent academics that draw international students to South Carolina. The great outdoors provides entertainment in the form of golf, beach and resort activities, mountain climbing, hiking, and touring some of the many famous gardens that exist in the state. If history and art are more to your interest, South Carolina is home to museums like the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Columbia Museum of Art, and the Dock Street Theatre. Festivals are also popular throughout the year, such as the Spoleto Festival USA, a major international festival of the performing arts. Larger cities also provide fine dining, shopping, and beautiful parks. If you wish to experience all that you can during your time in the United States, all the while receiving one of the top educations in the country, then South Carolina is the right choice for your graduate education.