{"id":3938,"date":"2022-04-19T14:59:39","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T14:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorius.se\/?page_id=3938"},"modified":"2023-11-15T23:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:54:56","slug":"area-request","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thisisscce.com\/destinations\/usa\/programs\/classic-high-school\/area-request\/","title":{"rendered":"Area Request USA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange can help you enjoy a study exchange almost anywhere in the USA. We\u2019ve created this brief guide to help you learn what\u2019s in store for various destinations. Explore by Region<\/a>, State<\/a>, or City<\/a>. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The United States comprises 50 states, the nation\u2019s capital Washington DC (a federal district), and five major territories. They all have something to offer in terms of history, climate, and culture. Check out these brief descriptions to find a state that offers what you\u2019re looking for. Remember that better-known states like California and Florida are popular. To secure your spot, please apply early<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Arizona is a southwestern state with a rich and varied climate. Southern Arizona has a desert climate, with some of the highest summertime temperatures in the country. You’ll find mountains in the North, so expect snowy winters (one reason Arizona is popular with skiers and snowboarders). You’ll also find the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For nature lovers, it’s a playground that offers endless adventures. Phoenix and Tuscon are the state’s largest cities, but many smaller towns can provide urban living within close reach of the state’s dynamic wilderness.<\/p> <\/div> California is a massive state on the west coast of America. There are cities you\u2019ll know from film and TV or read about in books. Fantastic destinations are spread right across the state, so explore the many cities and towns offering a California lifestyle. If you\u2019re set on going to a specific Californian city, choose Select High School<\/a> for your exchange program to really experience that all American high school experience.<\/p> <\/div> Nature lovers, skiers, and snowboarders will love Colorado, which sits in the heart of America. Most of Colorado’s population resides in lively, friendly cities like Denver, Aspen, and Colorado Springs. From these places, it’s easy to access the many national and state parks in Colorado for hiking, camping, and, in winter, skiing and snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> Known as the Sunshine State, Florida welcomes 60 million visitors each year. It\u2019s obvious why when you see the beaches! But Florida is also a popular place to live, with the third-highest population in the country. Making friends will be easy, especially in large cities like Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Miami. Expect a mix of cultures and cuisines, iconic sights, and ocean-side fun in the sun with new pals.<\/p> <\/div> Georgia has it all. The gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains in the north and charming beaches along the Atlantic coast make it a destination for nature lovers. It\u2019s a state packed with history. Georgia played a central role in the American Civil War and the American civil rights movement led by Georgia-born Martin Luther King Jr., a figure revered worldwide for his peaceful fight for racial equality. Georgia has thriving cities, including the state capital, Atlanta. Now a hub for film, television, and music, it draws people from across America and internationally.<\/p> <\/div> Illinois sits in America\u2019s heartland. You\u2019ll find rich agricultural and industrial landscapes in the south and thriving cities in the north. Chief among them is Chicago, the country\u2019s fifth-largest city. This dynamic, multi-cultural centre packs in world-class sports and music venues, theatres, parks, museums, and more to keep your finger on the pulse of American culture. With strong transportation networks, it\u2019s possible to enjoy what Chicago offers while living in one of the many neighbouring cities and suburbs.<\/p> <\/div> Indiana offers an all-American experience. It is a midwestern state rich in agricultural farmland and charming towns where close-knit communities enjoy life outdoors in a four-season climate. Indiana played a vital role in the westward expansion of white settlers and the country\u2019s indigenous peoples. The state is now home to industrious cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville, plus smaller towns where you can find yourself living the classic American high schooler lifestyle.<\/p> <\/div> Michigan is nestled between two of the Great Lakes on the country\u2019s northern border with Canada. For students taking an Academic Year program, the four-season climate means you will start school in the warm sun of late summer before the spectacular colors of autumn arrive. Then it is a winter of snow-filled fun before a vibrant spring takes you through to the start of early summer when you can head to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Once the heart of America\u2019s automotive industry, Michigan is a diverse mix of sprawling cities and suburbs, quaint towns and fishing villages, rich farmland, and orchards.<\/p> <\/div> Minnesotans are renowned for being friendly and courteous (their reputation is known as \u2018Minnesota nice\u2019). This northern state offers endless outdoor adventure, with over 10,000 lakes, miles of forest, and the mighty Mississippi River (which starts in Minnesota). It is also a creative hub with a long history of public funding for the arts and music. The state\u2019s indigenous population enriches this cultural landscape, as do the many global immigrant communities that have made Minnesota their home. Outside of the large urban centres like Minneapolis and Saint Paul, smaller cities like Duluth, Saint Cloud, and Bemidji will deliver a truly immersive experience.<\/p> <\/div> You might have heard of Nevada, but you will know about Las Vegas. Aside from gambling and entertainment, this southwestern state is home to genuinely wonderous natural landscapes. You can visit the Mojave Desert and Death Valley, wrestle the rapids of various riverways, hike in dense forests, and snowboard at popular mountain resorts. Nevada is a large state with a mix of resort towns like Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe, plus smaller towns where you can access the iconic landscapes that defined the Wild West.<\/p> <\/div> North Carolina is a charming southern state with a diverse natural landscape. To the east lies a beautiful Atlantic coastline. To the west, the lush Appalachian Mountains. The state has a complex history. It was home to large communities of indigenous peoples displaced when Europeans colonized the country. Later, it was a hotspot in the American Revolutionary War and later the Civil War. This wealthy state is now home to thriving cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh, and many others, offering a taste of ‘southern charm.<\/p> <\/div> Study in Ohio for the typical American high school experience. Once known for heavy industries like steel production, Ohio is now driving innovation in renewable energy. Most large cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati have matured into business hubs, though the state is still a manufacturing centre. A legacy of the state\u2019s industrial past is the outstanding cultural institutions across the state. Look forward to visiting world-class museums, libraries, music venues, and more. And because Ohio borders five other states, it is the perfect base from which to explore more of the country.<\/p> <\/div> Oklahoma is in the south of the country, north of Texas. Study here to experience life in ‘cowboy country.’ But while Oklahoma has been home to cattle ranchers for more than a century, it is also home to a thriving Native American population with 25 indigenous languages spoken in Oklahoma. Most of the state’s population lives in or near Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the state’s biggest cities. But there are rural communities that can also immerse you in this beautiful state’s wild landscapes and rich history.<\/p> <\/div> The western state of Oregon has miles of wild and rugged Pacific coastline, but the state\u2019s beautiful beaches are just the beginning of what Oregon has to offer. Oregon\u2019s interior is full of dense forests, perfect for hiking and camping. Productive wine vineyards and high deserts make fun destinations, too. And there is even an active volcano, Mount Hood. Look for small towns and cities that can be your gateway to nature or opt for one of the characterful cities like Portland, Beaverton (home to the global shoe brand Nike), and Eugene.<\/p> <\/div> South Carolina is a cultural gem. One of the original 13 colonies and the first state to leave the Union, a process that led to the Civil War, South Carolina has played a significant role in the country\u2019s history. South Carolina is now a thriving economic hub, a beautiful, sunny, and fascinating destination. The natural landscape is ideal for weekend fun, with an Atlantic coastline to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. And in every town, a big slice of American history!<\/p> <\/div> Tennessee shares borders with several states and nearly all the southern states. It has gorgeous mountains \u2013 including the Smokey Mountains \u2013 and gentler, rolling terrain cut through with large rivers. While the state has many historical landmarks, including major Civil War battle sites, it’s best known as the home of Nashville, the country’s music capital. Not far away from Nashville, you can find the birthplace of musical icons like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. Tennessee is a destination rich in culture, history, and wilderness.<\/p> <\/div> Texas is a vast state, but its location on the southern edge of the country and frontier history means it\u2019s also hugely diverse. You will mostly hear Texan English, but you will hear Spanish, Creole, Chinese, and many other languages. Like the people, the landscape varies east to west and north to south. Yes, there are ranches and rodeos, but there is a coastline and mountains worth exploring, too. Big cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin will catch your attention. Still, smaller cities and towns can also immerse you in the Texan way of life, which is unlike anything else in America.<\/p> <\/div> The historic state of Virginia is one of the country\u2019s most beautiful mountainous regions. You will have somewhere to go every weekend, including hiking trails through the Appalachian Mountains, beautiful Atlantic beaches, and some of the country\u2019s oldest historical sites. You are also an easy train ride away from major cultural hotspots like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.<\/p> <\/div> Washington is in the Pacific Northwest and shares a border with Canada. You might hear it called \u2018Washington state\u2019 to distinguish it from Washington D.C. (which is not technically a state). The state has 2500-miles of coastline, endless forests, picturesque mountains, and fruit-filled orchards. While it is rainier than other regions, summers are warm, and winters are mild, making it a destination for hiking, camping, surfing, and skiing. Seattle is the best-known city, but many towns and cities can offer you a gateway to everything Washington has to offer the curious adventurer.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> Even though Wisconsin is in the middle of the country, its long coastline along the Great Lakes makes it a worthwhile destination for people across the region. The state’s interior is rolling green pastures, fast-flowing rivers, and lush forests teeming with natural wildlife. The state’s four-seasons climate means that in winter, the green gives way to white as the snow settles until spring. Like its neighbour, Minnesota, the people are known for being welcoming. They are also sports-mad, with professional and university-level sports dominating the public conversation.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n Maybe a couple of states sound appealing, or perhaps you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities. Choose a destination by region instead. It lets you pick the backdrop for your exchange year without the pressure of putting a pin on the map. Here are regions popular with exchange students. To secure your spot, apply early<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nState Choice<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Region Choice<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n