University English language programs offer a variety of services, options and costs. How do you decide which one is the best for you?
First, consider what your ultimate goal is in studying in the U.S. Is it to obtain a university degree, improve your English for business reasons or
enhance your personal growth and intercultural experience? Almost every university in California offers English instruction to international
students. However, the English programs are as varied in what they offer students as the individual universities are themselves.
Some English programs are highly academic and prepare you for graduate school; others have business English and conversation partners. Some have academic counseling and immigration services; others have recreational activities and cultural field trips. Some offer university courses while
studying English; others offer a TOEFL waiver upon completion of the English program. Some offer lower prices and fewer hours; others offer a highly trained staff. Some have TOEFL, GMAT and GRE preparation; others offer conditional admission to the university.
Aside from the instructional aspects of a program, you should also consider more practical matters, such as the location of the school and its
surroundings. Is it in a metropolitan city, in a suburb, by the beach or in the mountains? What can you do in your free time? How safe is the area?
How close to the campus are clubs, restaurants, theaters, grocery stores and shopping malls? Does the English program arrange off-campus trips to visit museums, musicals, amusement parks and other places of interest? How much interaction do the English language students have with the university students on campus, and which campus facilities and services are available to them?
Another important factor to consider is which housing options are available at the English program. Is this your first time away from home? If so,
then you probably don't want homestay. You want to be around other students your age, attend weekend parties, and practice English with fellow students at the university. A campus dormitory may be the place for you. However, if you value your privacy and would like a quieter atmosphere, then an apartment is the right choice. Homestay is for students who want to experience American culture from the inside. You will learn expressions, vocabulary, and various nuances of American life that you will never experience in a dormitory or apartment.
If you are planning to obtain a university degree, you may consider studying English at the same university. While studying English you will acquaint
yourself with the campus, make friends with fellow students, join a student club, and adjust somewhat to life in California, before you start the heavy
academic load of a modern university student.
Friends and relatives who live or have studied in California can be very helpful in choosing an English program. Many students attend a program
based, not on all of the information above, but on their friend's or relative's recommendation. If your friend or relative is studying in
California, ask him or her for details about the school they are attending and about the surrounding area.
Whether you are looking for an intensive academic experience, TOEFL preparation or conversation and business writing, you can find such a
program at a university in California.
