University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMASS)

Get in contact with a student that is or has been at the school. The school is so large that administrators there find it difficult to help you greatly in depth. Live on-campus your first semester there so you can meet people. Save yourself some money and get the 14 meals per week plan because even though i would have gone over if i had this plan, you will order and eat out a lot. Last TIP, when ordering try a Calzone from DP Dough. I'm sure i won't be the last person to tell you that.

Umass had the reputation of 'Zumass' because it was so wild. It has mellowed but is still considered one of the wildest universities. House parties are good. Amherst is limited to a few night spots which get very crowded. Europeans tend to like the Monkey Bar, but for a real cool place with a great american vibe, Dolanoes is the best place. McMurphy's is also pretty good. However be warned that all social life means you have to get into hiphop including at most night spots. The closest place for normal music is Boston (thats 2hrs away). Amherst have some very some good cool cafes. Take your pick. Hadley which is virtually Amherst anyway has all the main eateries for eating out. Diners include friendlies, Chilli's and the Ground Round. The new sit down down however is terrible, you have been warned. Northampton a nearby town accessible by the free local University buses is very trendy and bigger then downtown Amherst. There are a lot more trendy restaurants and cafes. A proper night out eating means heading to Northampton. The City Cafe is also a cool nightclub at night.

be sure to have a valid visa

I came from an enlish speaking country to an english speaking country so there was little difficulty. The only difficulty I did experience was that my accent was not easily understood by the locals, and so it had to be adjusted. While here I have taken some spanish courses because I lived with some south americans last summer, and I felt that by taking these classes I would be more able to communicate with them.