According to Acronymmonster, Colorado has numerous attractions to offer its visitors that will make the hearts beat faster. If you want, you can walk in the footsteps of the gigantic dinosaurs in the state of the century, visit hot springs, explore the state with the nostalgic train, experience historical places, ghost towns, casinos and amusement parks, ski and immerse yourself in the unique nature of the state.

On the trail of the dinosaurs through Colorado

Colorado has a rich cultural heritage that was shaped by the Indians and the conquest of the west by the whites. The state’s oldest historical sites, however, date back to millions of years ago. Because once the largest land animals of all time roamed the area of ​​today’s Colorado and there are numerous opportunities to discover traces of Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus and many other dinosaurs from this time.

The Dinosaur National Monument

The known Dinosaur monument is located in northwest Colorado in the southeastern foothills of the Uinta Mountains. The eastern part of the National Monument is in Colorado, the world-famous dinosaur quarry with around 1,500 dinosaur fossils in the rock face of the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall is in Utah. Dinosaur National Park with the Canyon Visitor Center in Colorado is perfect for experiencing the wonderful nature of the state. Vacationers can go bird watching, camping, swimming, hiking, canoeing, rafting, fishing and much more. Just a few miles from Denver is Dinosaur Ridge, home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of natural dinosaur tracks and fossils.

On the trail of cowboys and Indians through the Wild West

Colorado is, without exception, a fantastic destination for those who have always wanted to experience the Wild West and learn more about times gone by. There are still mining sites and many abandoned ghost towns in Gilpin County (Apex, Nevadaville and Russell Gulch), among others.

For those interested in Indians, the Mesa Verde National Park, the Hovenweep National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center in the southwest are worthwhile places to go. But also galleries, festivals, museums and places like that Ute Indian Museum and the Koshare Indian Museum as well as the panorama road “Trail of the Ancients” are worth a visit.

Also very nice are the Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, which runs through Denvers Mountain Park. During the drive you can visit Buffalo Bill’s grave and museum, the Hiwan Homestead Museum, which Colorado Railroad Museum and visit the famous mountain park “Red Rocks”.

Numerous historical fortresses from the time of the conquest of the West, such as Bent’s Old Fort on the Santa Fe Trail, the forts Garland and Uncompahgre and the Museum of Northwest Colorado with one of the best cowboy collections in the country round off the attractions for those interested in the Wild West Century state from.

The Silverton Heritage Pass also grants access to the three main mining attractions in Silverton. It includes tours of the Mayflower Gold Mill and the Old 100 Mine.

With the nostalgic train through Colorado

In Colorado, numerous historic railways from the 1970s and 1980s run on the railways that are now operated as museum railways.

Including the:

• Durrango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in the San Juan Mountains
• Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on the Coloradian-New Mexican border
• Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown

The most beautiful routes

• Narrow-gauge railway line between Cripple Creek and Victor: The seven-kilometer journey on the narrow-gauge railway leads past former gold rushes and through the historic town of Victor.
• Cumbres & Tolec train journey: The 103-kilometer route between Antonito in Colorado and Chama in New Mexico is considered the longest and highest narrow-gauge train route in North America. The open sightseeing car is a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the century-old state.
• Narrow gauge railway line between Durango & Silverton: This beautiful train journey in an originally restored passenger car from 1880 takes you past abandoned mines, pristine forests and the wild Animas River and stops in the old gold rush town of Silverton, among other places. Gold and silver used to be transported on the historic route.
• Georgetown Loop Historic Gold Rush Railway Park: The historic narrow gauge railway between Georgetown and the Silver Plume Depot is one of the main attractions in Georgetown. The train from 1884 takes you from one place to another in around an hour and a quarter. If you want, you can also take part in a mine tour.
• Southern Railroad, Leadville, Colorado: Leadville brings Colorado mining and railroad history to life. And that with a breathtaking view of the Arkansas River Valley.
• Manitou and Pikes Peak Rack Railway: The rack railway to the 4,300 meter high Pikes Peak is the highest rack railway in the world and offers a great view. The operation is currently closed, but the railway is to be reopened with new technology in 2021.
• Royal Gorge Scenic Railway: The small funicular with its open carriages offers a great view of the mountains of Sangre de Cristo and the region around Royal Gorge.
• Royal Gorge Route Railroad: A railway from the 50s takes you through one of the most spectacular canyons in the USA and with a magnificent view.

Ranch vacation in Colorado

And if that’s not enough, you can experience the spirit of the old wild west on a ranch vacation in the land of cowboys and Indians. If you want, you can ride on tourist ranches over pastures and into the terrain, herd and round up cattle, practice using the lasso and take part in equestrian competitions, nights out and family rodeos. The offers range from pure work farms to real luxury resorts.

Many of the ranches, many of which are located in the great plains in the east but also in the mountains of the Rocky Mountains, also offer additional activities such as a special children’s program, mountain biking, hiking, swimming or even hot air balloon rides.

Cultural Monuments and Landmarks in Colorado

Colorado has a rich cultural heritage and numerous historical artifacts. In total there are two National Historic Sites in the century state (Bent’s Old Fort at La Junta and Sand Creek Massacre), four National Historic Trails (California Trail, Old Spanish Trail, Pony Express Trail, Santa Fe Trail), 15 National Historic Landmarks as well as a total of 1,551 structures and sites that are part of the National Register of Historic Places are registered.

Also well worth seeing is the wooden carousel in Kit Carson County with its 46 hand-carved wooden animal figures. It is the only one of its kind that still has the original color on the animals and backdrops.

A nationally significant collection of decorative art from the 20th century is in the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art to find. For those interested in art, a visit to Steamboat Springs and the Denver Art Museum, which houses a major exhibition of Indian craftsmanship. The Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver, where many greats in the music industry such as the Beatles, U2 and Bruno Mars have performed, is also unique.

National parks and natural landmarks in Colorado

Colorado is home to more than 960 species of animals, and there are plenty of opportunities to hike, climb, camp, ride, or mountain bike. White water sports such as kayaking, paddling or rafting can be enjoyed in the state’s rivers.

Thousands of kilometers of well-preserved hiking trails run through the mountains, forests and plains of this century-old state, and the beautiful national parks in particular are a must for nature lovers visiting Colorado.

List of national parks in Colorado

There are four national parks in Colorado:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park

List of national monuments in Colorado

There are eight national monuments in the state of the century:

• Browns Canyon National Monument
• Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
• Chimney Rock National Monument
• Colorado National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Yucca House National Monument

List of national forests in Colorado

11 national forests invite you to explore the state:

• Arapaho National Forest
• Grand Mesa National Forest
• Gunnison National Forest
• Pike National Forest
• Rio Grande National Forest
• Roosevelt National Forest
• Routt National Forest
• San Isabel National Forest
• San Juan National Forest
• Uncompahgre National Forest
• White River National Forest

The NPS also assigns a total of fifteen for Colorado National Natural Landmarks and with the Curecanti National Recreation Area a National Recreation Area.

Skiing in Colorado

The Rocky Mountains are by far the best-known paradise for winter sports enthusiasts in the USA and at 15,783 hectares offer the largest area of ​​ski slopes in North America. The powder snow there is just as legendary as the record-breaking snowfall and the many wonderful mountain resorts that invite you to an unforgettable winter holiday in the state.

List of ski resorts in Colorado

There are numerous well-known ski areas in the century-old state that are popular with tourists and locals alike:

• Arapahoe Basin
• Aspen Highlands
• Aspen Mountain
• Beaver Creek Resort
• Breckenridge Ski Resort
• Buttermilk
• Copper Mountain
• Crested Butte
• Durango Mountain Resort
• Eldora
• Howelsen
• Keystone
• Loveland Ski Area
• monarch
• Powderhorn
• Silverton
• Ski Cooper
• Snowmass
• Solvista
• Steamboat
• Sunlight
• Telluride
• Vail
• Winter park

Activities in Boston

The city, which is located in the north of New York City, offers many opportunities not only in the center, but also in the surrounding area, to spend entertaining days with the family or without.

• Shopping: Somehow shopping is part of the American way of life. And as in all American cities, there are also various shops in Boston where you can indulge in shopping pleasure and dress according to your own style and trend. You can let off steam here, for example, in the Mall Cambridgeside in East Cambridge which has a wide variety of shops and restaurants. But also the street Newbury Street Back Bay, Copley Place, Downtown Crossing and Charles Street in Beacon Hill are full of shops and great areas for shopping.
• Enjoy: dining in style. Boston isn’t exactly cheap. Nonetheless, there are some tips for good food under $ 20 like the ” Dumpling Palace “Or” Tasty burger “. The ” In a pickle “On (especially if you love omelets). Affordable Korean cuisine has the ” Coreanos “On offer in Allston. And if you want to try a real Boston specialty, be sure to try the “ Boston Cream Pie “At the Omni Parker House in downtown. In Inman Square the ” Oleana “To feast and also the food truck” Mei Mei“Audubon Circle is always worth a detour.
• Nightlife: Those who like to turn night into day should definitely get their money’s worth in Boston. The ” The Grand “Offers over 1,000 square meters of space for dancing and a 20 meter high LED wall that circles the dance floor. And sometimes there are even internationally known DJs on the podium, such as Shaquille O’Neal. Life acts on a big stage has the ” Royale “In the Theater District. The establishment impresses with an elegant, marble foyer, cozy sitting areas and a generally great atmosphere to turn night into day. Latin, House and Hip Hop are part of the ” Icon “In the Theater District on the plan and anyone looking for a huge range of music should definitely visit the” Phoenix Landing “Pay a visit to Central Square.
• Exercise: Boston is not only culturally on the ball, but also offers everything to meet the physiological needs. In winter you can go to the Frog Pond ice skating on Boston Common and other natural or man-made ice surfaces. There is Cycle City Tours where you can explore the city by bike accompanied by a guide. You can go kayaking on the Charles River. There are two gold courses in Franklin Park that were designed by Donald Ross.

And if you don’t want to play actively, you also have a lot of passive options. There are teams in each team sport and you will definitely find a game to watch the Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox or Boston Celtics, depending on whether you prefer ice hockey, baseball or basketball. The home ground of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, is also historically interesting. Because the stadium was built between 1911 and 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So anyone interested in architecture, history and baseball should definitely pay a visit to Fenway Park and watch a game as a spectator. You can watch Boston Bruins games as a spectator in the TD Garden arena. The Boston Celtics have been at TD Garden since 1995.

• Explore the port: There are several ways to explore Boston Harbor. One option is to take a walk, another is to take part in one Harbour Cruise. The building 470 Atlantik Ave offers a great view of the famous harbor. The Fort Point Channel Tour also starts there. Another route leads to the city center. The downtown tour begins in Christopher Columbus Park, part of the North End district.

Worthwhile day trips from Boston

According to calculatorinc, Boston is located in the northeastern United States of America and offers many possibilities for excursions to popular destinations in the region and the wider area. We have summarized some of them for you here:

• New York City: The Big Apple is about a four-hour drive and 350 kilometers from Boston. After driving south, you can easily visit the most important sights within a day. In the morning, for example, you can visit the Statue of Liberty and theEmpire State Building, take photos of the Manhattan skyline and spend the afternoon in Central Park before visiting Times Square after dark.
• Newport on Rhode Island: Newport on Rhode Island in New England is also worth a day trip. Here, too, drive south. Stately mansions can be seen here in just over an hour’s drive (approx. 115 kilometers), especially along Bellevue Avenue. Many of these houses are now museums and give a fascinating insight into history. Definitely worth seeing are ” The Breakers ” and ” Marble House “. Portsmouth, also located on Rhode Island, can be visited on this occasion.
• Plymouth: Plymouth is definitely worth a day trip. The city was founded by the Pilgrim Fathers on the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Cod Bay in 1620. William Bradford is said to have landed here with the Mayflower. There are several festivals and events spread over the year. The open-air museum ” Plimoth Plantation “Is an exciting excursion, especially with children. Every resident of the village from the 17th century plays his role perfectly and so you feel on a journey back in time and experience the everyday life of the pilgrims. Plymouth is an hour’s drive south of Boston.
• North Falmouth: This travel destination is located southeast of Boston. North Falmouth on the Cape Cod Peninsula is just an hour’s drive from Boston and offers a beautiful mountain bike trail of around two hours. You can rent bikes at the entrance and then cycle on the former route of the Old Colony Railroad to Wood’s Hole, where the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard leaves.
• Martha’s Vineyard: Martha’s Vineyard is a half hour ferry ride from Falmouth. The island is the summer destination of many locals, so there is a lot of activity here at this time of the year. Oak Bluffs beckons with “gingerbread houses” and other attractive buildings from the 19th century. The gingerbread houses bear their name because they look like the sugar works of the same name: colorful and decorated with ornaments.
• Salem: Salem, north of Boston, was the scene of the witch burnings in the 16th century. Even today, tourists make pilgrimages to the city to walk in the footsteps of the events of that time. Salem is in the surrounding area and is only about 30 minutes drive from Boston. In addition to the mystical atmosphere, there is much to discover about the history of the American Navy here in Marblehead, as this place is the birthplace of the American Navy.
• Broadmoor Wildlife Sancturary Park: Located in Natick, a 40-minute drive west of Boston is the ” Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary Park “. The park has 9 miles of trails through fields, forests and moors. Bird lovers get their money’s worth here and can watch the native birds in the wild. In winter you can also take a snowshoeing course here.
• Philadelphia: If you want to delve deeper into the history of independence in the USA, then you should definitely drive a few more kilometers and visit the city where the declaration of independence was once signed. Philadelphia. The big city is the second largest city on the east coast, is home to around 1.6 million residents and has much more than just Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. In addition to the impressive skyline, you will also find churches worth seeing, other historical sights such as the Liberty Bell and much more. Philadelphia is around 500 kilometers away from Boston. Here you can also take a tour along the east coast at which one z. B. New York City with its impressive skyline and other sights can still be included in the route. This means that you don’t have to spend quite as many kilometers in the car at a time.
• Rockland: Rockland is a lovely place in Maine on the New England coast and a good place to go if you love lobsters. In many restaurants you can enjoy lobster in all variations, there is a museum dedicated to the animals and this is also regularly found there Maine Lobster Festival instead of. Rockland can be reached by rental car in around three hours from Boston.

After I had already spent a student exchange in Minnesota, it was clear to me that I would like to spend another longer time in the USA during my studies and decided to do a semester abroad at UC Riverside (UCR).

It was very important to me that my achievements from abroad would also be recognized at my home university, which is why the UCR seemed particularly suitable to me, as its business school is accredited by the AACSB. In September, two weeks before the start of the semester, my fellow student from Munich and I made our way to Riverside.

If you book a flight early, look around to see if you can arrive directly at “Ontario” airport, which is even closer to Riverside than LAX. Back then, I booked a rental car online through Hertz early on and did not use the UCR pick-up option. You don’t need a navigation device under any circumstances, with a little sense of direction and a free map from Hertz you can easily find your way from LAX or Ontario Airport to Riverside.
For the first few days on site, I booked a hotel nearby and kept the rental car for a week so that I could take a look at a few apartments and check out car dealers for a used car.

As I said, I wanted to find my own apartment and not use the UCR dormitory. Dormitory is probably the wrong word here, the whole apartment complex is very chic and modern and is right next to the UCR, but the rooms are VERY expensive. For the same money you can easily get your own apartment near the university.

• Check topschoolsintheusa for more about University of California Riverside Rankings.

Invest a day and just drive down the streets near the university, there are tons of apartments. Back then, my fellow student and I opted for the “Boulder Creek Apartments” on Iowa Avenue. The price was perfectly okay, for a 1-room apartment that could easily be inhabited by two, we paid about $ 1000 per month and shared it. I can only recommend the residential complex – the most beautiful pool area of ​​all apartments in Riverside, seriously!

If you decide to have your own apartment, it is essential to have an internet connection. Some apartments offer free WiFi, ours unfortunately not. We decided on the Anbierter “Charter”. With this one can conclude a “contract” for Internet and television without a social security number and also borrow equipment such as WLAN routers and receivers; there is also no minimum contract period. As soon as you leave Riverside, you bring the borrowed equipment back and the “contract” is over. We bought a used television on ebay for $ 20 – it did its job without worries.

Many of the apartments are furnished, but unfortunately not ours, so we bought a piece of furniture from Ikea, which can be found about half an hour from Riverside in Covina.
My biggest tip I can give you: craigslist.com. There you can find everything from wardrobes to skateboards mostly very cheap.
In addition, we decided to buy a car. I really wanted to buy from a used car dealer in order to have a guarantee if something happened to the car.
I would NOT do the same thing again. You’d rather spend a few dollars more and rent a car over time. After a long negotiation I got a guarantee for the car, which then cost us $ 6000, but it was sorely needed. I stood at the dealer in the yard 12 (!) Times to have the car repaired, thank goodness everything was covered by the guarantee. Shortly before the return flight I wanted to sell the car back to the dealer, but they made me a lousy offer and so I had to sell the car to Carmax for $ 2000 (I had expected $ 4000) for better or worse.
But a car is an absolute must if you don’t always want to ask someone to drive you to go shopping. The California distances are definitely not to be underestimated.

Daily Life:

There are numerous supermarkets in Riverside, my tip: Food 4 Less, more of a kind of wholesale market and much cheaper than other supermarkets. There are also enough banks. To get cash free of charge, you either do one of the following: With cards from Deutsche Bank, you can get cash free of charge at Bank of America; alternatively open an account on site, it costs nothing and you get a soccer ball for free ;-); get a credit card. You definitely need it, because firstly in America you can easily pay for any chewing gum with a credit card, but it is also often irreplaceable for paying bills (internet, garbage,…) over the internet. With many free credit cards that are offered in Germany, you can withdraw cash from ATMs internationally free of charge.
Get a cell phone! Tip: Kmart, $ 30 including cell phone and free minutes. Don’t be surprised: even if someone calls you, you pay with American prepaid cards.

Traveling:

The great thing about Riverside is the location! It is an hour to downtown LA, 1.5 hours to the beaches and 1.5 hours to San Diego. San Diego is my all time favorite here! Pack a few people in the car on the weekend, rent a cheap hotel and go to a few clubs in the Gaslamp Quarter – great! Downtown LA is definitely a must-see, but the whole thing seemed rather dingy to me during the day and rather dangerous in the evening. Since having to party with San Diego much better. An absolute must, especially New Year’s Eve, but only if you are over 21: Vegas! As I said, it’s really only worth it if you are over 21, the bouncers understand their job, believe me.
Travel around, discover California (insider tip: Santa Barbara and the district “Isla Vista”: you haven’t seen anything like this before, what’s going on there on a Saturday evening!). Whatever you do: DO NOT go to Tijuana! It used to be a party hotspot for San Diego students, now it’s just dangerous and what’s there to see is not worth it.

Uni life:

You read again and again how difficult it must have been for some students from abroad to get their desired course at the UCR. There is a simple rule here: keep calm and speak genuinely and kindly to the right people. If you kindly explain that it is very important for you to come to this course, because you need it for your university at home, even the fullest course can be done at once with a little bit of negotiation skills. You hardly need to send emails, unfortunately they are rarely answered, go straight to the consultation hour.
After you have completed your course selection, studying at the UCR is a lot of fun. I had three courses – a business course and two economics courses. The schedule was put together just right. You will notice a difference to your German university: More homework and unannounced smaller tests, but slightly easier tests in the middle and at the end of the semester. My tip: If you have the chance and the interest: choose a course from Dr. Sean D. Jasso – the best professor I have ever seen!
Use the Recreation Center: The whole thing costs about $ 75 for a quarter, but you have a gym, tennis and squash courts, you can borrow equipment for free and, and, and… it’s worth it!

Conclusion:

If you feel like studying a quarter at the UCR – do it! You will have incomparable experiences and have the fun of your life.
To recap: Craigslist.com should be your best friend, rent a car, meet as many people as possible and just have fun, but that’s almost guaranteed!

Many thanks to Aline Meyer for her always friendly and helpful support!

Preparation for the stay abroad:

The application process via MicroEDU went like clockwork – if you can put it that way. The team is available to answer any questions at any time, and these tend to pile up at the beginning when putting together the application documents. CoCo also checks all documents and details again before the application is sent to the SDSU. With the help of the checklists provided, you always have an overview of the application process and which steps still need to be taken. Obtaining the F1 student visa , which I processed at the embassy in Frankfurt, is particularly important and also a bit time-consuming.

Arrival and accommodation:

I only flew to San Diego shortly before the beginning of the semester and therefore didn’t have the opportunity to get to know the whole city or to travel. In my opinion, that didn’t mean I had any disadvantage at all. Since I had already organized accommodation from Germany, I didn’t have to move into the hostel like many other students and look for an apartment on site.

Unlike most students, I live with a fellow student in a private house near the campus. We got the contact from a friend who previously lived there during her own semester abroad at SDSU. I was super satisfied with the accommodation. We both had our own, sufficiently large room and the rest of the house was well furnished. The landlord lived in the house himself, but only shared the kitchen with us. He has a separate bedroom with bathroom in a small annex in the garden. The location of the house was also ideal. The university was within walking distance and the “Boulevard63” dormitory, where most of the (international) students lived, was just seven minutes away on foot. There were also numerous supermarkets and restaurants nearby.

The typical question that everyone has to answer for themselves is. “Would I prefer to live close to the university or close to the beach?” Since the SDSU is inland, you have to weigh your preferences. Both choices definitely have their advantages. I decided to be close to the campus and I was really very satisfied with it. My fellow student and I rented a car from Dirt Cheap and so we were well equipped for trips to the beach after university. In addition, the majority of the international students lived in the student residences close to the campus, so that it was easiest to meet again on campus or at home for group work.

University:

The San Diego State has a wonderful campus to offer, which invites you to linger and study in the park areas thanks to the almost consistently good weather. Every Thursday there is also a food market and a wide range of fast food / restaurant chains and small student supermarkets.

• Check topschoolsintheusa for more about San Jose State University Rankings.

The courses:

BA350 – Multinational Business & Organizational Behavior:

Very interesting content, very good lecturer (Prof. Blue), interactive lectures.
There was a group project in which a country of our choice was to be presented in terms of culture, politics and economy. However, this presentation had to be embedded in a creative concept and be interactive. That took time to prepare accordingly. The exams each consisted of 50 multiple-choice questions. For the exams, 6-7 chapters of the course book had to be read or memorized. The reading and learning effort was accordingly high, but the content was very interesting and mostly very easy to understand. I would recommend this course to others.

MGT352 – Human Resource Management:

Very interesting in terms of content, you learn a lot about the rights of employees and the application and selection process of companies. The lecturer (Pro f. Del Castillo) is very competent and brings a lot of knowledge from his job as an HR expert. However, in my opinion, he lacks the skills to really prepare his course for the exams and exams. The three exams each consisted of 40 multiple choice questions and four short answer questions, whereby the expected answer length is by no means “short”. Some of the questions were asked very comprehensively, so that at least three quarters to a full page had to be answered, which in view of the time was sometimes quite tight. In addition, there were 5 unannounced inclass activities over the course of the semester, each of which brought 20 points and could not be made up in the absence (also excused). Overall, a very interesting course in terms of content, but which quickly caused frustration due to the lecturer and his expectations. Recommended only for people who actually see their future in human resources.

MGT357 – Multinational Business & Comparative Management:

A very interesting course format that I have never experienced before. In this special session the course founded its own company (a consulting company)and associated social media channels. Everyone from the course was assigned to a department depending on the focus of study and interests, so that at the end there was the departments Finance, HR, Marketing, IT and Operations, as well as a CEO and Vice President. In our course there was a girl who made bracelets from pearls as a hobby. We as a consulting company then helped her with the creation of the bracelets and the marketing. So this course was about practical work and a project that was supervised by everyone. The final exam consisted of a DIN-A4 page about what one had learned during the semester in this course. Attendance and the preparation of current news, which were presented and discussed at the beginning of each event, also flowed into the grade.I would recommend the course because of its uniqueness.

BA370 – Marketing:

A very good course with a great lecturer (Prof Haddock). Also very high reading effort for the exams, but easy to manage with only 50 multiple choice questions each. I would choose this course again.

Leisure:

San Diego and the university itself have a lot to offer for recreational activities. In addition to the numerous offers of the SDSU to student groups in the fields of sport, music, etc., the university offers its students a free membership in the campus fitness studio, as well as access to the Aztecs swimming complex, the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown, Point Loma, the Sunset Cliffs or even Coronado Island. The zoo, the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village and Old Town are also highly recommended.

In addition, San Diego has three beaches to offer: Pacific Beach, also known as Party Beach, has numerous restaurants and bars. In any case, you have to have taken part in the “Duck Dive” on Taco Tuesday, where the internationals meet every Tuesday to eat taco and then party, when a DJ plays from 9 a.m. and the happy hour begins. This is located on Mission Beach Belmont Park, a small old amusement park, which can convince with its location on the beach and the view from the wooden roller coaster. Ocean Beach also has restaurants and beach stalls, but takes it easy. Particularly recommended for all dog lovers, because there is a whole stretch of beach here only for four-legged friends and their masters.

For day trips, Mexico, Los Angeles , the cities along the coast to LA or the beautiful little town of Julien, which is located in the mountains inland, are ideal.

If you have a few more days off, you should of course not forget San Francisco, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and other national parks.

Please make sure to use the free tickets to the games of the SDSU teams ! Don’t miss the tailgate before a football game.

Tips and conclusion:

I definitely recommend leaving plenty of space in your suitcase on arrival. In the first few days you may have a little less clothing to choose from than usual, but you can find such good bargains and prices in the outlets and shopping malls in the USA that you would look in vain in Germany.

However, it is best to take enough cosmetic products etc. with you. Contrary to my expectations, products such as deodorant, shampoo and so on were disproportionate and unexpectedly expensive (8 € for deodorant), so it is best to buy enough stock here at DM.

I had an amazing time in San Diego that I will remember fondly for a long time. I’ve met an incredible number of people and seen places that have all shaped me. The SDSU, as a highly regarded university, and the location of San Diego, located by the sea with many sunny days and a lot to experience, offer a great combination for a stay abroad. My English has also improved again through the stay and I am much more self-confident and become more independent.

I take a lot with me from my time in San Diego and can only recommend the semester abroad in California to every sun lover. It’s not for nothing that San Diego is also known as the “Americas finest City” !!

People

US society can be roughly divided into 6 social classes.

According to sociologists, in 1998 there were about 1 percent prominent, wealthy citizens (upper class), about 15 percent highly qualified professionals such as doctors, professors, lawyers (upper middle class), about 32 percent well-trained professionals such as school teachers and craftsmen (lower middle class), about 32 percent Industrial workers, wage workers and simple employees (working class) and about 20 percent part-time poor or non-working who are dependent on public welfare.

Around 82 percent of the people living in the USA are white, around 13 percent black and mulatto, around 4 percent Asians and around 1 percent Indians. Visit handbagpicks for United States Tour Plan.

The United States is a popular immigration country, as can be seen in the more than 50 million immigrants who have immigrated since the beginning of the 19th century. These include Europeans, Central Americans and Asians. This ethnic diversity is still reflected today in the specific traditions that have been preserved and cultivated.

The descendants of the indigenous people are one of the socially weakest groups. More than half of them live in one of the approx. 300 reserves. In Alaska, the Indians and Eskimos make up around 16% of the population, the rest are whites.

And whites make up a third of the population in Hawaii. Otherwise, Japanese, residents of Polynesian descent and groups of Chinese, Koreans, blacks and Filipinos live there together.

Language

The most widely spoken language is American English (it is slightly different from British English). There are many Spanish-speaking residents in the state of New Mexico who only speak their native language. That is why Spanish is the second official language there.

In addition to German, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Polish are also common in the USA. Many of the over one hundred Indian languages ​​are threatened with extinction.

English language courses

Among the multitude of language courses, I recommend multimedia language courses because you learn very quickly with this method. The link below provides you with a professional language course with which you can learn English quickly and easily:

• American English language course

Religion

The government does not keep a register of the religious status of residents. Through the history of immigration, different religions are represented in a variety of ways.

A good half of the total population is committed to one of the more than 240 Protestant churches. The proportion of Catholics is tending to increase due to ongoing immigration.

Judaism and Islam are also major religions in the country. Buddhists, Hinduists, Mormons and others are represented on a relatively large scale.

Because of their tradition of non-interference (regulated by the constitution) in religious affairs, many smaller denominations have found refuge in the states, such as the Amish, who live mainly in Pennsylvania and the neighboring states. For generations they have been practicing the simple life without any modern technology.

Culture

Sport is very important in America. In addition to American football, the national sports include baseball, basketball, ice hockey and soccer.

The numerous immigrant groups have of course brought their cultures and traditions with them. That’s why American culture is quite diverse.

Media

The film is one of the most important entertainment media in the United States. And who doesn’t know Hollywood films?

A very popular pastime for many Americans is to go to the movies. Walt Disney cartoons were also produced in the USA and are known worldwide.

The music is very important here. The music channel MTV was born in the USA.

The press plays an important role as the guardian of democracy, backed up by the first amendment to the American Constitution, which came into force in 1789. This article states that Congress cannot pass laws restricting the freedom of the press.

Training

Education varies across states. There is general compulsory schooling from 6/7. Age up to the age of 16.

Under certain conditions one can also give one’s children home schooling (homeschooling). About 1-2 percent of parents choose this option for reasons such as religious views, special needs of the children or because of problems such as bullying or drugs.

Most parents send their children to state schools for which the parents do not have to pay school fees. Only about 10% of US students attend private schools. An annual fee must be paid for this.

Over 3,000 universities and colleges are available. The most famous private universities include Princeton, Harvard and Stanford. Half of them are in private hands.

Three percent of the population over the age of 15 cannot read or write.

The grades in the United States are not numbers, but letters from A – F. A is the top grade. F usually means ‘failed’. The grades can be further differentiated with a plus or a minus.

Schools

Elementary School from Kindergarten – Grades from Kindergarten to fourth, fifth or sixth grade (depending on the school district). The class size is around 18–24 children.

Junior High School and Middle School – include grades 5–8, but mostly only grades 6–8.

The high school is a kind of unified school with a course system. It covers grades 9 to 12 and is completed with the high school diploma.

Manhattan. Name of an island belonging to the United States located at the mouth of the Hudson River in the north of New York Harbor. It is one of the five metropolitan districts (boroughs) that make up New York City. The metropolitan district has the same boundaries as New York County and includes the island of Manhattan as well as several smaller islands (Roosevelt, Randall, among others), as well as a small portion of mainland land (Marble Hill, which is geographically in the Bronx, but politically belongs to the county of New York).

History

The name Manhattan comes from the languages ​​of the primitive residents of the area. The story presents a popular interpretation that emphasizes how this island was bought by Dutch settlers from the natives for $ 24 on May 24, 1626 and the establishment of some 30 Dutch families two years later, when they founded the city of Niew Amsterdam where now downtown is. This city became the capital of the territory of New Holland, a short-lived Dutch colony. In 1664 it happened to the English administration after a relatively weak resistance of the Dutch, partly due to the discontent of the population with the governor Peter Stuyvesant.

The English changed the name of the city to New York, named in honor of the Duke of York, who would later become the Catholic King James II of England. New York County is one of the original twelve counties of the State of New York, created in 1683. At the time of its creation, it was the same size as New York City and occupied the entire island of Manhattan, the same area that occupies today. In 1873, the western part of present-day Bronx County was transferred to New York County from Westchester County and in 1895, the remaining part of the Bronx was also transferred to the county. In 1914, those parts constituted the new county of the Bronx. See topschoolsintheusa for LSAT test centers in New York.

In 1898, Manhattan was united with the four remaining districts forming the second largest city in the world, and from there it became the Mecca of culture, entertainment and finance for all of North America. The city benefited from the arrival of thousands of immigrants who were looking for improvements in their living conditions. This caused a cultural miscegenation that has enriched the city, transforming it into an incomparable point for the visitor. Currently 80 different languages ​​are spoken.

New York City now encompasses four separate, though not from a distinct geological view, areas, namely the City of Manhattan (Manhattan), the Borough of the Bronx, the City of Richmond (Staten Island), and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens (Brooklyn, Jamaica, Flat Bush-and Long Island City). Of these, the District of Manhattan and the Borough of the Bronx have a common geological expression, the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are identical in geological character, and carry their most typical boundary to the drift zone so greatly reduced in the island of Manhattan by municipal changes, while the Richmond district has an individual geological structure imply peculiar characteristics not observed in the others.

In geological affinities, if the term can be used, Manhattan and the Bronx have allied themselves in the north or primordial, even arching structures; Richmond, kings and queens of the south and the last, however, in fact, in Richmond there is a problematic core similar to those on the island of Manhattan. In view of this diversity of features, the discussion of the topographical conditions and geological nature of New York City naturally fall into three sections: first, that of Manhattan Island, with an appendix briefly covering similar construction of the borough of the Bronx, in second place, that of Brooklyn and Queens, and in third place, that of Richmond.

Geography

The borough of Manhattan and New York County have the same boundaries (they are coextensive). As part of New York City, the county has no other political subdivisions. It occupies the entire island of Manhattan, surrounded by the East River, the Harlem River, and the Hudson River. It also includes some smaller islands such as Roosevelt Island(formerly Welfare Island, and previously still “Blackwell Island”), U Thant Island (officially known as Belmont Island), and a small portion of the North American mainland (Marble Hill ) adjoining the Bronx. Marble Hill was originally part of Manhattan Island; but the Harlem River canal, excavated in the 19th century To improve navigation on the Harlem River, he separated it from Manhattan.

Manhattan Island is approximately 22 km long and 3.6 km wide at its widest point and less than 1.6 km at its narrowest point. With the exception of the large green rectangle that is Central Park, it is almost entirely covered by buildings and streets.

Manhattan is connected by bridges and tunnels to New Jersey in the west and to three New York boroughs: The Bronx in the northeast and Queens and Brooklyn on Long Island to the east and south. Its only direct connection to the city’s fifth district is the “Staten Island Ferry,” whose terminal is in Battery Park at its southern end.

Every May 28 and July 12, both at sunrise and sunset, the sun is visible on the horizon from street level as it is aligned with its path.

Demography

The most densely populated county in the United States is New York, with a total of 1,537,195 people, 738,644 heads of household, and 302,105 families residing in 2000. The population density is 25,835.21 residents / km². With a figure of 798,144 houses with a density of 13,414.18 dwellings / km². The county’s ethnic makeup is 54.36% White, 17.39% Black, 9.40% Asian, 0.07% Oceanic, 0.50% Native American, 14.14% other ethnicities, and 4.14 % mestizos. 27.18% of the total population are Hispanics, who can be of any ethnicity.

There are 738,644 heads of households, of which 17.1% have minors in their care, 25.2% are married couples who live together, 12.6% are single women, and 59.1% are not families In the county, 16.8% of the population is under 18, 10.2% is between 18 and 24, 38.3% is between 25 and 44, 22.6% is between 45 and 64, and 12.2% are over 65 years old. The average age is 36 years. For every 100 women there are 90.3 men and for every 100 underage women, there are 87.9 men.

The average annual income of a head of household is $ 47,030, and the average income per family is $ 50,229. Men have an income of around $ 51,856 compared to $ 45,712 for women. The median per capita income for the county is 42,922. 20.0% of the population and 17.6% of families are below the poverty line. Of the total number of people living in this situation, 31.8% are minors and 18.9% are over 65 years of age.

Spoken languages

In Manhattan there are registered speakers of dissimilar origin, being an approximate of 96 different languages. The majority of the population is English-speaking, this being the predominant spoken language with 59.1% of the speakers; while Spanish is the second language, with 24.9% of speakers. Chinese has 5% and the rest of the languages ​​do not reach 1% of speakers.

Government and legislation

As in other counties in New York City, there is no county government, but there are county courts and other authorities, such as the county attorney. Each metropolitan district in New York elects a President but this office does not have much power, de facto. The office of the District President (Borough President) was created with the consolidation of the five counties, to balance the balance of these, with respect to the central municipal government. Each district president had an important role, having a vote in the New York City Board of Estimate, presenting and approving municipal budgets and making proposals for spatial planning. In 1989, the United States Supreme Court declared this Board unconstitutional, because Brooklyn, the most populous county in the borough, it had no more votes than Staten Island, the county with the smallest population. This constituted a violation of the Equality Protection Clause, according to the Fourteenth Amendment (or addition) to the United States Constitution, passed in 1964 according to the rule that each person has the right to one vote.

The powers of the Board of Estimate were transferred to the Board of Councilors (City Council, with 51 members, in charge of the legislative power in the city), thus increasing the centralized power in the New York municipality. Manhattan has ten councilors on the New York City Council. Since 1990, the District President has served as an advocate for the county’s interests with the mayoral agencies, city councils, New York state government, and corporations. The President of the District of Manhattan is Scott M. Stringer. The District Attorney for the New York District (known as District Attorney or simply DA, in the original English) is Robert M. Morgenthau. It also has 12 administrative districts, each served by a local Community Board. These Boards are the representative bodies that collect citizen complaints and serve as defenders of the residents of their area, before the City Council. New York is officially designated as the county seat of New York, which is totally irrelevant for all practical purposes since there are no other cities or towns in the county.

HISTORY: FROM “JACKSON’S REIGN” TO LINCOLN

The “era of good feelings” ended in 1829, when it was replaced by the “reign of Jackson”, so called by the name of A. Jackson, president from 1829 to 1837. Western man, the first typical representative of the ” American America ”to take office in the White House, Jackson definitively democratized the United States, placing the “common man” at the forefront, but under his own strong personal leadership. He had been elected as the representative of the Democrats-Republicans (or more simply Democrats, as they are still called), supporters of a liberal-progressive orientation, as opposed to the conservative address of the Republicans-nationals: an opposition that was concretely articulated around some big problems posed by the development of the United States itself. Thus for the communication routes, roads and even more channels, it was debated whether it was up to the Union or the states to equip them; as regards customs tariffs, the contrast between the North advocating protectionism and the opposite South persisted; as for the National Bank, reconstituted in 1816, J. Calhoun (vice-president with Adams and then with Jackson) in the thesis of the nullity of federal laws that invade the field of “state rights”.

According to usaers, the crisis culminated in 1832: in contrast to the “Nullity Ordinance” issued by South Carolina Jackson threatened the use of force, choosing to protect the cause of the Union rather than that of the freedom of states, he who was also a Democrat. During Jackson’s second presidency, while the question of tariffs alienated the southerners from the president, the conflict for the National Bank (whose “charter” was not renewed) pitted him against the republicans-nationals, now bearers of the interests of the industrial East and financial. These two very different groups, united only by their common aversion to Jackson, since c. 1834. they began to call themselves Whigs, analogous to the English Whigs who opposed George III’s personal rule. If in the elections of 1836 they failed to present a single candidate, so that M. Van Buren (1837-41), Jackson’s heir, was elected, in 1840 the only Whig candidate B. Harrison (who died just a month after took office; he was succeeded by Vice President Tyler, 1841-45). During the 1940s, the thrust to the west resumed vigorously, as far as the Pacific, then on territories that belonged to Mexico. Texas, where the residents of Anglo-Saxon origin were more numerous than those of Spanish origin, had already proclaimed itself independent in 1836, then annexed, in 1845, to the United States. The war between the United States and Mexico (1846-48) ensued, won by the former, who with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 2, 1848) obtained the cession of Texas, California and all the intermediate territory, New Mexico. Meanwhile, in 1846, a treaty with Great Britain had resolved the condominium on Oregon, giving the United States the territory up to the 49th parallel. Thus was fulfilled the Manifest Destiny, that “continental” destiny that the United States had pursued since its very foundation.

By 1850, rapidly populated for the “gold rush”, California was already admitted to the Union as a state. In the middle of the century XIX (between 1845 and 1861 James Knox Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan succeeded each other as president) not only territorial expansion marked the development of the United States. The population increased, which in 1850 had exceeded 23 million; economic activities flourished, favored by the construction of railways, by the introduction of steam navigation, by the application of new technical discoveries. In the same 1850 for the first time the annual value of industrial production was higher than that of agricultural production. And with industrialization, democratization progressed, even on the cultural level (popular newspapers, public and free schools, that is, non-denominational). Yet a crisis loomed over the United States, the largest in its history, aggravated by some of the same fundamental aspects of progress. L’ industrialization widened the gap and consequently the contrast between the agricultural South and the industrial North, including that part of the West, around the Lakes region, which was being industrialized. The further expansion to the west, then, acutely posed the problem of whether or not slavery was extended to the new territories and states. Set aside, rather than truly resolved, with the “Missouri compromise” of 1820, postponed with yet another compromise, of 1850, this problem broke out in all its gravity in 1854, when the “Kansas-Nebraska law” was passed, two territories located north of the line marked as the limit of slavery by the “Missouri compromise”. Once the compromise was revoked, the law established the principle of “popular sovereignty”, entrusting the decision of the residents of a territory if it, becoming a state, should he be a free-market or a slaveholder. The law provoked violent reactions from the adversaries of slavery; locally, in Kansas, there was bloody clashes. On the national level, by far the most important consequence was the founding (1854) of the Republican Party (the one that has continued to exist over the centuries), in which theanti- slavery whigs united with some democratic elements and with the followers of the Free-Soil Party. The Democrats still managed to win the presidential elections of 1852 and 1856, but in 1860 they did not agree on a single candidacy and so was elected the Republican A. Lincoln (1861-65).

Philadelphia (in English Philadelphia, also nicknamed Philly) is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, located in the northeast of the United States, between New York and Washington DC. It is the fifth city in the country by population, Philadelphia County has 1,450,000 residents in its commune (Philadelphia City) and 5,950,000 in its metropolitan area. It is the largest historical, cultural and artistic center in the United States, and in the same way an important industrial port on the Delaware River, which extends to the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1682, it was during the 18th century the most populous city of the Thirteen colonies and the third most populous city in the British Empire (after London and Dublin), before temporarily becoming the capital city of the United States. It was quickly overtaken by New York and gave its capital status to the brand new city of Washington DC Today, Philadelphia is the main metropolis of Pennsylvania, whose capital is Harrisburg, and also the seat of the government of Pennsylvania. The name of the city, chosen by William Penn, means “the city of brotherly love”, as it was desired to be a haven of religious tolerance. See topschoolsintheusa for high school codes in Pennsylvania.

Established in 1682, it is one of the oldest cities in the country, and as the original capital and largest colonial city, it enjoyed greater political and social importance than Boston, Massachusetts, or New York. In 1776, the Continental Congress of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia and on July 4 of that year, declared independence from Great Britain. Perhaps the most famous citizen of Philadelphia was Benjamin Franklin, writer, scientist, and politician.

The American Revolution

The Carpenters’ Hall hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774

In the 1770s, Philadelphia became one of the major centers of the American Revolution. The Sons of Liberty, an organization of American patriots, were very active in the city: they resisted the fiscal measures imposed by the metropolis and incited the colonists to boycott English merchandise.

Philadelphia was chosen, because of its central position within the Thirteen Colonies, to host the First Continental Congress which met from September 5 to October 26, 1774 in Carpenters’ Hall. The Second Continental Congress lasted between 1775 and 1781, the date of the Declaration of Independence and the ratification of the Articles of Confederation. During the war of independence, this assembly organized the continental army, issued paper money, and dealt with the country’s international relations. The delegates signed the Declaration of Dependence on July 4, 1776 In this city. However, in response to the American defeat of Brandywine in 1777, Congress had to leave the city, as well as 2/3 of the population. The residents must have hidden the ” liberty bell “.

Many battles between the US forces commanded by George Washington and the Redcoats. Having conquered the city in September of 1777, the British concentrated 9,000 soldiers in the German district, Germantown. In June of 1778, the British left Philadelphia to protect New York, exposed to the French ships. In July, Congress returned to Philadelphia. A constitutional convention met in the city in 1781 to draft a constitution. This text, organizer of the institutions of the new country, was signed in Independence Hall in September of 1781. It was in Congress Hall that the Bill of Rights was produced in 1790, the first ten sections of the American constitution. The Continental Congress was installed in New York City in 1785, but, under pressure from Thomas Jefferson, it returned to Philadelphia in 1790, which was made the provisional capital of the United States, while Washington DC was being built. Philadelphia ceased to be the capital of the colonies in 1799.

Industrialization

Baldwin Locomotive Works plaque

Philadelphia’s maritime trade was disrupted by the Embargo Act of 1807, which led to the War of 1812 against England. After this event, New York surpassed the city and the port of Pennsylvania.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Philadelphia experienced significant economic growth thanks to its agricultural and mining wealth (coal) present in its territory; the construction of roads, canals and railways allowed the city to maintain its position in the Industrial Revolution. The textile industry, the clothing industry, the metallurgy, the manufacture of paper and railway material, the shipbuilding in shipyards and the agricultural industry were the main industries of the 19th century. Philadelphia was at once a major financial center. During the Civil War, the factories of the city supplied the armies of the Union. Hospitals also played an important role in accommodating many wounded as a result of the conflict.

Due to the mechanization of agriculture in the South of the United States, thousands of African Americans began to migrate north and Philadelphia became one of the privileged destinations of these tributaries. As in other American cities, the years preceding the Civil War were marked by violence against immigrants, such as the anti-Catholic riots of May and June 1884.
The riots of 1844 in Philadelphia

With the Act of Consolidation of 1854, the city of Philadelphia annexed many districts, settlements, and outlying neighborhoods. This decision made it possible to align the city limits with those of the county and improve the management of urban problems. However, the republican municipality continued its corruption and fraud and intimidation in the elections were frequent.

In 1876, Philadelphia was the site of the first universal exhibition organized on American territory (The Centennial International Exhibition for its name in English). It commemorated the first centennial of the American Declaration of Independence and was located above Fairmount Park, near the Schuylkill River. It attracted 9,789,392 visitors.. The vast majority of the exhibition buildings were preserved by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Among the innovations that were shown to the public, we can mention the Alexander Graham Bell telephone, the Remington typewriter, the Heinz Ketchup or even the Root beer.