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Hi Dakka,
some of you may remember that some months ago, I made a thread about two Irish universities. However, I have now an even better possibility: studying in the USA for my last year.
So I have a choice to make, between those 4 universities, and, even if I make my own researchs, I'm curious to heard about the universities and the States by true amercian living there, and studying in the USA in general.

The 4 universities are the following:

-Muskingum university (Ohio)
-South Ben in Indiana
-Auburn university (Alabama)
-Colorado State University

Ive heard some good things about Colorado State, and the state itself is a great place to visit. Can't say I know anything about the others though.

No knowledge about the universities, but the states:

Ohio/Indiana: boring midwest states.
Alabama: welcome to the south. It's hot, we're obsessed with Jesus, and we still can't get over the fact that we lost that war over slavery.
Colorado: legal pot. Enough said.

Do you mean Indiana University in South Bend? There is also Notre Dame at SB, which is a very good school.

Muskingum I have never even heard of so cannot comment.

Auburn and Colorado States are both good schools, though Auburn is probably the more prestigious and more widely known.

Yes, Indiana university !
Thanks guys, I appreciate every input in this thread.
How are the peole of these states ?

Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

I vote for South Bend, Indiana. The people there are generally nice, cost of living isn't too high, it's close to Chicago and Lake Michigan which could make for some fun weekend activities, and best of all... you could attend Gen Con, which is just down the road in Indianapolis.

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

I'm pretty biased, but I love Colorado. Sadly, it is pretty expensive to live here anymore, but you can probably find roommates.

Alabama is going to be one hell of a climate shock for someone from france. Hot as hell, just like the rest of the south.

I would probably vote against Alabama on the weather front and the people front. Not to speak ill of all Alabama, but the state has a certain reputation for redneck culture.

 godardc wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

Yeah. There sending Feds it seems to the City. Murder rate is a tad high.

Cost of living is high here in Colorado for sure, BUT The area is nice and the mountains are full of things to do, you are not far from Denver which is a major US city.
South Bend Indiana is much cheaper to live, but you are not appreciably close to a major city, that being said, Chicago is not too far and Fort Wayne is as well. The great lakes are good in the summer, but like Colorado, Indiana can get really cold.
Ohio has a lot to do as well. Cost of living is decent and depending on your hobbies there are a lot of things to do in Ohio as well. it has pretty much the same or better entertainments available as say Colorado (except mountains) but are more spread out as opposed to just going downtown Denver. The weather in Ohio is the same as Indiana.
Alabama is hot, BUT you are close to the gulf coast, and the beaches can be great, you can take trips to New Orleans ( being French may make that something entertaining for you, due to its French quarter and general Louisiana links to France) Cost of living is not bad, but you are looking at hot and humid weather. Atlanta Georgia is not too far either.

If food is your thing, Indiana offers (particularly where South Bend is) Amish and Menonite communities who have very good cuisine (compared to normal Indiana chow) Colorado has Ethiopian as well as other African cuisine as well as decent (though not up to California or Texas standards) Latin foods. Ohio is an unknown there, but Alabama is Southern Cooking.

As for the people, There are good and bad in all those places.

Since this is a gaming forum, I would say of the 4, Indiana is far more gamer centric. I have lived in all 4 states and Indiana is far and away the best for gaming.

 godardc wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

Despite what the media would have you believe, your chance of getting hurt is still microscopically tiny. Even in the worst city in the US. A little common sense and you'll be fine. That aside, the general blight of Chicago might be enough for you to want to try elsewhere.

I personally would go for Colorado. You haven't lived till you've seen a thunderstorm rage through the mountains, or seen one building across the plains(as you can see from any of the places that are in the plains area of CO) with lightning and hail coming down. Plus you can go skiing. Lots of cool stuff all around the Rockies.

With the other places, humidity in 100+ degree weather is not fun. Especially when you've also got bugs eating you alive.

 godardc wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

just stay out of the South side and you're fine IIRC

on that note for Chicago, there is a LOT to do in the city, more than say a place like Los Angeles. It also puts you not too far from the Wisconsin Dells, and the famous "House on the Rock" which is an amazing thing to see.
Of your 4 choices I really dont see a "bad" one,. but I would ask, ..What interests YOU? what kind of person are you? a city person, an outdoorsy type? if water sports are your thing then Colorado is pure hell, if you love the mountains its the way to go.

 thekingofkings wrote:
on that note for Chicago, there is a LOT to do in the city, more than say a place like Los Angeles. It also puts you not too far from the Wisconsin Dells, and the famous "House on the Rock" which is an amazing thing to see.
Of your 4 choices I really dont see a "bad" one,. but I would ask, ..What interests YOU? what kind of person are you? a city person, an outdoorsy type? if water sports are your thing then Colorado is pure hell, if you love the mountains its the way to go.

Er if I am in LA I can go to at least three different beaches, the mountains (in the same day I have done it), skiiing, hiking, and the best club scene arguably in North America.

 Frazzled wrote:

 thekingofkings wrote:
on that note for Chicago, there is a LOT to do in the city, more than say a place like Los Angeles. It also puts you not too far from the Wisconsin Dells, and the famous "House on the Rock" which is an amazing thing to see.
Of your 4 choices I really dont see a "bad" one,. but I would ask, ..What interests YOU? what kind of person are you? a city person, an outdoorsy type? if water sports are your thing then Colorado is pure hell, if you love the mountains its the way to go.

Er if I am in LA I can go to at least three different beaches, the mountains (in the same day I have done it), skiiing, hiking, and the best club scene arguably in North America.

With the exception of the mountains, Chicago offers pretty much the same thing, albeit the waters of Lake Michigan are considerably colder than the Pacific. The club thing is pretty much just opinion, I found personally that San Diego was much more happening than LA and Chicago to be better than both.

 godardc wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

South Bend is a smaller Mid-West town more known for the University of Notre Dame these days, but it was the home of the Studebaker car manufacturer. You would be unsurprised to learn that Notre Dame has a French connection. It's also a pretty good place to watch a college football game if you are over during football season (September through November) There are a few vineyards, breweries, and distilleries in the area and up in Michigan.

Most of the trouble in Chicago is confined to certain areas outside the main metro area. There is a train that runs several times a day between South Bend and Chicago, which is perfect for day trips to shop or to visit the museums and aquarium.

If you end up in South Bend PM me. It isn't too far from me and I can help show you some of the area.

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:

 godardc wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Thanks for tip !

Isn't Chicago a city where crimes and killings have reached epidemic proportions ? I don't want to go there^^
IIRC, it is more likely that I'll be send to Indiana anyway.

South Bend is a smaller Mid-West town more known for the University of Notre Dame these days, but it was the home of the Studebaker car manufacturer. You would be unsurprised to learn that Notre Dame has a French connection. It's also a pretty good place to watch a college football game if you are over during football season (September through November) There are a few vineyards, breweries, and distilleries in the area and up in Michigan.

Most of the trouble in Chicago is confined to certain areas outside the main metro area. There is a train that runs several times a day between South Bend and Chicago, which is perfect for day trips to shop or to visit the museums and aquarium.

If you end up in South Bend PM me. It isn't too far from me and I can help show you some of the area.

Its not appreciably too far from Chain o' Lakes and Pokagon state parks and then there is always Fort Wayne.

Yup, Fort Wayne being the State's old capital too for that added history. Did Fort Wayne have a machine gun set up in the court during Prohibition?

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Yup, Fort Wayne being the State's old capital too for that added history. Did Fort Wayne have a machine gun set up in the court during Prohibition?

At least one. But it also has a hell of a zoo and botanical garden,. There is alot to do in Fort Wayne and its cheaper than Chicago. The old Dusenberg (not sure the spelling) factory is still in Auburn and it gives tours.

Must get out to Fort Wayne some time then. My wife has family in Chicago so we tend to venture more west than east.

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Must get out to Fort Wayne some time then. My wife has family in Chicago so we tend to venture more west than east.

It has a lot of minor league teams as well, overall for a "small" city it pretty much has a lot to do, shipshewanaalso has an interesting flea market as well.

South Bend seems to be an enjoyable place !
Thanks for your help, everyone

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:


If you end up in South Bend PM me. It isn't too far from me and I can help show you some of the area.

Nice ! I'll keep that in mind

 godardc wrote:
South Bend seems to be an enjoyable place !
Thanks for your help, everyone

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:


If you end up in South Bend PM me. It isn't too far from me and I can help show you some of the area.

Nice ! I'll keep that in mind

well it looks like you are gonna be well taken care of either way, there are several colorado folks on here too so even if you roll up to the "peoples republic of boulder" you will still be good to go.

And the list of really good restaurants in the area is pretty extensive. Also, the Lafayette/West Lafayette area isn't too far from Sound Bend either, and has quite a bit to offer as well. If going to Ft. Wayne, hit J. K. O'Donnell's

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Depends on the state really. . .. For instance, Oregon intentionally divided up the focuses of it's two main state schools. As a result, U of O in Eugene is known for it's business school (and dirty hippies), while OSU is one of the top 10 engineering schools, one of the best AG schools in the west, and has one of the best marine biology schools.


I personally would avoid Auburn, for many of the reasons already mentioned (it's the south, etc.) even though I'm sure you'd get some killer (literally) food out that way.

As for Muskingum U, and IUSB, I haven't heard anything about them, good or bad. And, as I mentioned above, CSU, being one of the two "main" colorado schools, I guess whether it is better or not depends on your field of study. For some reason I was thinking of CSU Pueblo being the main campus. . . after google, well, holy crap colorado couldn't plan for gak in placing their state schools!

 Just Tony wrote:
And the list of really good restaurants in the area is pretty extensive. Also, the Lafayette/West Lafayette area isn't too far from Sound Bend either, and has quite a bit to offer as well. If going to Ft. Wayne, hit J. K. O'Donnell's

you sir, are making me miss home too much ..yeah they are great.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Depends on the state really. . .. For instance, Oregon intentionally divided up the focuses of it's two main state schools. As a result, U of O in Eugene is known for it's business school (and dirty hippies), while OSU is one of the top 10 engineering schools, one of the best AG schools in the west, and has one of the best marine biology schools.


I personally would avoid Auburn, for many of the reasons already mentioned (it's the south, etc.) even though I'm sure you'd get some killer (literally) food out that way.

As for Muskingum U, and IUSB, I haven't heard anything about them, good or bad. And, as I mentioned above, CSU, being one of the two "main" colorado schools, I guess whether it is better or not depends on your field of study. For some reason I was thinking of CSU Pueblo being the main campus. . . after google, well, holy crap colorado couldn't plan for gak in placing their state schools!

heh, you should see our city streets, hold muh beer on piss poor planning!

 thekingofkings wrote:

heh, you should see our city streets, hold muh beer on piss poor planning!

Lol, I lived in Colorado Springs. .. . hop onto Circle Bulevard, stay straight on it, and it changes names like, 3 or 4 times. I get it completely

 thekingofkings wrote:

 Just Tony wrote:
And the list of really good restaurants in the area is pretty extensive. Also, the Lafayette/West Lafayette area isn't too far from Sound Bend either, and has quite a bit to offer as well. If going to Ft. Wayne, hit J. K. O'Donnell's

you sir, are making me miss home too much ..yeah they are great.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Gnerally avoid X State University if you have the option for a State of X University. One is usually Tier One and the other isn't.

You should investigate the schools on rankings. Ideally you want a Tier 1 research university, everything else is secondary.

Depends on the state really. . .. For instance, Oregon intentionally divided up the focuses of it's two main state schools. As a result, U of O in Eugene is known for it's business school (and dirty hippies), while OSU is one of the top 10 engineering schools, one of the best AG schools in the west, and has one of the best marine biology schools.


I personally would avoid Auburn, for many of the reasons already mentioned (it's the south, etc.) even though I'm sure you'd get some killer (literally) food out that way.

As for Muskingum U, and IUSB, I haven't heard anything about them, good or bad. And, as I mentioned above, CSU, being one of the two "main" colorado schools, I guess whether it is better or not depends on your field of study. For some reason I was thinking of CSU Pueblo being the main campus. . . after google, well, holy crap colorado couldn't plan for gak in placing their state schools!

heh, you should see our city streets, hold muh beer on piss poor planning!

One should not base their university on the local area, unless that area is unsafe.