Pre-departure readings

Before you depart for your study-abroad experience in the United States, we would like for you to review readings that will acquaint you with our country, our state, our university, and our intensive English program, in which you will be studying English along with about 175 other international students from more than 30 countries.

We have assembled websites that provide this information for you. You might want to contact English Programs for Internationals (EPI) alumni to ask them about their experiences here. Please go to http://www.epi.sc.edu/alumni.html to contact EPI alumni.

This website provides a brief overview of the United States, including geography, people, culture, economy, government, and history.

Read about American social customs and cultural features at this website, which is written for international students coming to study in the U.S.

For those of you who are Muslims, there is a Mosque within walking distance of the University of South Carolina campus. EPI does not have classes on Friday afternoons so that students have free time for their own activities. EPI also provides a prayer room between and after classes.

South Carolina is one of the oldest parts of the United States, and this website briefly reviews the history of South Carolina. You will be visiting one of the oldest cities in the United States, Charleston, South Carolina, which is one of the top five tourist destinations in the U.S.

This website also provides South Carolina information aimed at tourists. Tourism is a very important industry in the state. The state slogan is “smiling faces, beautiful places.” When you walk around campus, be prepared for people that you don't know to smile at you and even to say "hi" or "hey" as the two of you pass each other! This does not usually happen in other parts of the U.S., and our students remark on this friendly behavior.

South Carolina is part of the American South, which is distinguished by its own unique culture. One of the famous Southern writers listed in the literature section is James Dickey, who was a professor at the University of South Carolina.

While you are here in the American South, you might want to sample traditional Southern food, but be careful if you cannot eat pork. Pork is an important ingredient in many Southern foods. We will be sure to alert you to any dishes that have pork in them.

Read about Columbia, South Carolina, where the University of South Carolina EPI is located.

You can visit the University of South Carolina at www.sc.edu, and be sure to visit EPI at www.epi.sc.edu. There you can read about the EPI classes that you will be taking.