You will learn about yourself.

The best way to understand yourself and your own country and your own values is by comparison with other cultures and other people. This is easy to do in the U.S.A. because every year hundreds of thousands of students from almost every country in the world choose to study in the U.S.A. These students, plus other immigrants who move to the U.S.A. every year, make the United States a fascinating, exciting mixture of languages, cultures, and people.

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You can prepare for regular 
study at a college or university.

If you haven’t decided yet about your future college or university,  Study in the U.S.A. can help you make that decision. Many ESL programs give students the chance to study regular credit courses in addition to English language study, so there’s a good opportunity to learn more about what happens in U.S. university classrooms and discover what campus life is really like. Some programs are designed for a specific group of people with specific needs. For example, there are programs for international students who plan to study at a U.S. college or university. Such programs include library orientation, study skills, and research techniques. Other programs may include English for tourists or business people. Even if you already have the required TOEFL® score for academic admission to a U.S. university, it is a good idea to spend some time in an intensive English program polishing your English skills, becoming accustomed to the sound of American English and adjusting to the cultural and academic differences of a U.S. university.

You have access to more colleges and universities than any other country in the world.

The U.S.A. has over 3500 accredited colleges and universities, including two-year colleges, four-year institutions, and doctoral/research universities. Although some international students are familiar with the names of many of the elite institutions in the U.S.A., most students are very happy to discover that there are literally thousands of excellent colleges and universities that provide quality, affordable education that meets their needs.

You can travel around one of the most 
geographically diverse countries in the world.

The U.S.A. has it all—oceans, lakes, mountains, deserts, plains, outstanding national parks, small towns and large cities. Regardless of where you live and study, you can take a break on weekends and enjoy other parts of the country.

You can understand the U.S.A. better, making you a stronger candidate in an international job market.

Most employers are very impressed with applicants who have lived and studied overseas, because such an experience provides a valuable education and you will be seen as more globally experienced and knowledgeable than other applicants. With your experience in the U.S.A., you will know more about one of the world’s largest and most influential economies.

Professional Standards

There are a number of professional organizations that set standards regarding teaching methods and student services. Intensive English language programs administered by accredited colleges and universities are invited to join the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). Through UCIEP conferences, workshops and regular program-wide evaluations, compliance with the highest college and university standards is ensured. Another way to identify programs with high standards is to choose schools that are members of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). This organization was established to set standards for intensive English programs. While AAIEP does not accredit programs, its members agree to follow standards of excellence established by the organization.

Finding an accredited English language program:

The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialized agency for the accreditation of English language programs and institutions in the United States. CEA accredits both English language programs in universities and colleges and stand-alone independent English language schools. Accreditation by CEA means that an English language program has met the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. Programs that seek CEA accreditation must offer an intensive English program for non-native speakers of English, which meets at least 18 hours a week for at least eight months a year. Because CEA is a new agency, and because the self-study and review may take months to complete, many programs have not yet completed the process to become accredited. Accredited programs may also indicate their CEA accreditation in their brochures, student packets, and advertisements.

You can contact CEA directly at:
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
700 S. Washington St., Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
(703) 518-2481
www.cea-accredit.org

Many of the programs listed in Study in the U.S.A. magazines and www.studyusa.com website indicate their CEA accreditation.

1. Choose the right program for YOU.
   There are many things to think about when choosing which college or university to attend. Cost, of course, is always one of the main things to consider. Be sure what is included in the program fees and tuition listed in an advertisement or a website. Some programs include field trips and excursions in the costs, while others add them as extra charges. Always remember that the term “optional” means it will cost you more for those services.
   Service is also very important, because is says a lot about how the institution treats its students. Are your contacts with the institution pleasant? Does the institution respond quickly to your questions and concerns, or do you have to wait a long time for answers? Are services provided to help you get adjusted to life in the U.S.A. (airport pick-up, links to students from your home country, orientation, etc.)?
2. Academics are also important. Are the class sizes small? Is the program quality recognized by national associations? Are the teachers experienced? How long has the program been serving students?
3. Study hard, but enjoy your experience.
   Class work is obviously important if you really want to improve your skills, but just as important is the time that you spend outside of class. You may not remember the content of some classes that you take, but you will remember the friends that you make and the relationships that you develop.
   Clubs and organizations at your college and university give you a great chance to practice your language skills while making friends with students from the U.S.A. and other countries. Outings and excursions will help you learn more about the culture and enjoy the most of your experience.
   Travel if you have the chance. If you can, try to arrange time either before or after your summer program so that you can travel and visit some other states and places.
4. Play it “safe.”
   Is the U.S.A. a safe place to study? Absolutely. The U.S.A. is one of the safest places in the world. All students want to study in a safe environment, and parents usually think of this first when they think of study abroad. This is completely normal, and every college and university also wants to make sure that all their students are safe.
   A very, very small number of the millions of international students who have studied in the U.S.A. have ever had problems with safety. As long as students follow the common-sense instructions given to all students, U.S. and international, there should be nothing unusual for you or your parents to worry about.  

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By ESL.com

ESL-English Language Programs

ESL.com is your guide to quality ESL programs. Here you can Request Information from English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, universities, colleges, and boarding schools in the USA and Canada. Search the list of ESL programs by language or category, including:

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Summer Programs
• Undergraduate Progams
• Graduate Programs
• 2-year/Community Colleges/li>
• Vocational/Career Programs
• Boarding Schools/ Pre-University - Ages 10-18

Featured ESL Programs provide you with ESL program descriptions, as well as Request Information forms for contacting ESL admissions offices.Younger students (ages 10-18) may consult the Boarding Schools listings for secondary-level, pre-university, and summer programs. TOEFL information is available in the ESL Resource Guide