| Myth №1. Most Americans (and college students) live in large cities that are crime-ridden.
| Overseas students are surprised to learn about the considerable distances between cities in our country. For example, if you were to drive 100km/hour, it would take you five full days to travel from Los Angeles to New York. Except in metropolitan areas, public transportation is less available here than elsewhere around the world. Check a map to confirm the distances from the university to other cities or even to other parts of the local community. And if you are thinking of living in an apartment, you should reconsider the advantages of living in college housing
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| Myth №2. Courses of study at American universities are weak, and students party rather than study.
| If that were true, it would be a pleasant surprise to most American students. Some American college students do come from wealthy families and have large expendable incomes, but most come from families with moderate incomes. At some universities, up to 80% of the student population receives some form of financial aid, and most American students enter college knowing they must apply for loans, work part-time, and earn scholarships in order to meet their financial obligations. International students will find that American students come from families that value learning and the benefits that higher education provides.
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| Myth №3. American students are all rich and can afford a university/college education.
| Although the religious lives of Americans are rarely portrayed on television or in movies, religion is an important part of American life. America is culturally and religiously diverse: in many communities, you will find temples, churches, synagogues and mosques. In fact, a larger and more important issue for you to examine may be the religious affiliations of American universities/colleges, many of which have historic associations - formal or informal - with particular religious denominations.
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| Myth №4 American university dormitories are undesirable places to live, providing little privacy or security.
| Many major universities are located in large cities; others are located in suburban and rural areas. Most universities have excellent relationships with their neighboring communities and relish opportunities to work together. Even universities that are located in the heart of major cities have created campuses that are havens from the stresses and strains of urban lift. Students who attend university in major cities quickly adapt to the exciting lifestyle that is characteristic of big-city life, with its easy access to museums, entertainments, culture, and career opportunities.
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| Myth №5 I have relatives in New York, so I want to stay with them and commute to Boston for my classes.
| The truth of the matter is that on-campus housing is relatively inexpensive, convenient, and safe. Dormitories (sometimes called residence halls) are refurbished frequently and are offered to students at reasonable rates as much as one-third the rate of similar accommodations off-campus. Safety and security are high priorities for universities and colleges; campus security is typically excellent, and national studies have shown that students who live in on-campus housing achieve better grades and graduate at higher rates than students who live off-campus.
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| Myth №6 Americans are secular and hold no serious religious convictions.
| University life as portrayed in movies such as "Animal House” is a stereotype. Although American students do enjoy the freedom to explore a full life outside of class, they are also expected to meet high academic standards. In fact, the U.S. attracts more international students than any other country, and they, like their American peers, are expected to fulfill their academic responsibilities first. But students also love to have fun, and the abundance of social activities, clubs, and sports provides them with many opportunities to do so
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