Why Study in the USA?
Hi! My name is Karolina. I lived and studied in Southern California for seven years and have often been asked why I chose the USA and whether I have ever regretted that decision. So, to answer that initial question, I thought I would share my own experience. Here are my unfiltered and honest reflections on the value of studying in the United States.
The Journey to Santa Barbara
It was 2013 and I had just graduated from high school. I felt tired of Sweden and longed to live somewhere else. After getting started a bit too late, I began the stressful process of applications, documents, embassy visits, visas, and plane tickets. With a bit of luck and many hours of work, I managed to secure a spot at Santa Barbara City College for the fall and receive my student visa in time.
Suddenly it was August, and there I was at Arlanda with all my belongings. I had a travel companion in the form of a childhood friend who was also going to study at SBCC. A third friend was already in Santa Barbara and fully occupied with looking for an apartment for us. Full of excitement and with butterflies in our stomachs, we boarded the plane. After a messy layover in Chicago, we finally landed at LAX and our adventure had begun.
A First Impression
The first and strongest impression I had of the culture in the USA, specifically Southern California, was how incredibly talkative and welcoming people were. American culture can sometimes be perceived as superficial. When someone asks “How are you?” it is more of an empty greeting than a sincere question, but I still admire the openness and friendliness of Americans. In Sweden, we hardly talk to strangers and it feels dishonest to smile broadly on command when someone takes a photo. Compared to Americans, we probably come across as shy and unfriendly. Thanks to my years in California, I have become a more open person and find it easier to express myself in social situations. Of course, I can still roll my eyes at the exaggerated enthusiasm. At the same time, I am very grateful for how easy it was to get to know new people as a newly arrived international student. The social and friendly culture in California was very easy to adapt to.
Leaving Your Bubble
Before the trip, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the USA as a country and culture. Since I have relatives in the USA, we had visited several times with my family. During our trips we had driven around, and I had seen the East Coast, the West Coast, and everything in between. I could even proudly list all 50 states. But how much do you really learn about a culture as a tourist? Not much, as it turned out. Living and studying in a country was a completely different experience. The United States is often described as a “melting pot” that blends and assimilates different cultures, but others say it is more like a “tossed salad,” with pieces of different cultures that (in many cases) have learned to live alongside one another. It is a country that has overcome incredible conflicts and dark periods in a relatively short history. During my time in the US, I learned things I never could have fully understood while living in Sweden.
It is impossible to argue that education in the USA is better than in Sweden. I don’t think that can be said about any country or any education system in the world. Instead, I believe the key word is different. For me, that is where the true value of studying abroad lies. It is about daring to step outside the bubble you grew up in and exploring other perspectives, ideals, cultural norms, languages, and worldviews.
The Value of Studying in the USA
The USA is a country that sparks mixed opinions. Of course, there is much that attracts people: beautiful landscapes, diversity, culture, and music. But on the other side of the coin, there is complicated politics and significant socioeconomic gaps. Still, the American dream lives on, and there is simply something that makes the United States special, even if it can be difficult to put your finger on exactly what it is. Perhaps it has something to do with the relaxed beach towns on the West Coast, the big cities, the enthusiasm, the movement, or the colorful personalities. To return to the opening question, I think I have come to the conclusion that the true value of studying in the US lies in the experience itself and in all the wonderful people and adventures that appear along the way.
I had only planned to stay in California for one, maybe two semesters. Seven years later, I was still living in the USA with new experiences, insights, and a resume full of exciting academic and work achievements. But most importantly, lifelong friends and priceless memories that I would never trade for anything in the world. So if you’ve already thought about studying in the USA, my advice is just to go for it. It doesn’t have to be seven years, but I think everyone should try stepping out of their bubble at least once.
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