San Fransisco State University (SFSU)

Housing is a problem in the Bay Area. There simply aren't enough apartments available, so it's hard to find a place to live and rents are also high. The situation is improving, though, and it is possible that the rents will continue going down as they have done since fall 2001. Although there were problems in finding housing, I believe it's still worth to find off-campus housing because SFSU's apartments and dorms are not that good. Fortunately, there are several apartment complexes near the university, and many students live in their apartments.

I really liked Suite181, Ruby Skye and more clubs to be found around North Beach, Mission District and in and around the Marina. For events, check sfgate.com. So much to do! It also depends on what semester you'll be there, in case it would be 'just' for one semester. And travel through California, roadtrip down the PCH (aka Highway 101) all the way to San Diego and back through Nevada, Arizona so you can be witness of all the beautiful nature and national parks that are present.

I didn't live on cumpus, so I do not have any idea what housing was like, but I did lived in other countries.

Due to the fact that I encountered different situations at the work or in the social life, I have found the chance to improve my conversational and problem solving abilities

My English was pretty good already before I moved to San Francisco. Of course it improved a lot during the two years I attended SFSU, but I never had any big problems, not even in the beginning. There is one English writing class every international graduate student must take in the beginning (unless you pass an English writing exam, but nobody does it). If you have a good teacher and you take the class seriously, you learn a lot in that class.

Little italy and the marina. The mission is also fun, but you must take a cab there since it isn't safe when it's dark