Tag Archives: outdoors

The Best Time Of Your Life: Top 10 Colleges With the Happiest Students

Of all the colleges with the happiest students in America, Clemson ranks in our top 10...!

Of all the colleges with the happiest students in America, Clemson ranks in our top 10…!

While the point of college to learn about a selected field in deep detail and graduate with a degree that stands as your proof of competency in it, if you spend your whole time there bored out of your gourd, what’s the point?

Happiness needs to be factored into the equation as well, and to aid you in factoring that aspect into your decision-making equation, we have put together a list of ten colleges that stands heads and shoulders above the rest in this important category. Let’s review each of them, starting with…

1) Texas A & M University

If college athletics is important to you and you are looking for a university in the Lone Star State, you’re in luck, as Texas A&M is a big sports school, with its students whipped into a mad football frenzy every home game weekend. Those looking for a plethora of living options will be pleased that there are many apartment choices near the university, and those looking to celebrate Spring Break in style won’t have to budge an inch, as South Padre Island is practically in A&M’s backyard!

2) Vanderbilt University

Want your degree to actually mean something? Vanderbilt has some of the highest quality professors around, meaning that you’ll actually have the knowledge to back up the letters by your name after college. On the social side of things, there are tons of restaurants to choose from, which is quite fortunate, because you’ll be frequenting them after the countless parties you’ll be attending, as the party scene here is outrageously huge.

3) Virginia Tech

Despite the horrible tragedy several years back, Virginia Tech is a safe place that boasts one of the most down to earth student bodies in the nation. Those that are looking to ride a team all the way through to college bowl season will be in luck here, as football is a way of life for many students, faculty and alumni at VT.

4) Claremont McKenna College

Taking in the stunningly beautiful campus at Claremount McKenna College will be the first of many positive experiences you’ll have at this school, as the well-entrenched party culture will be the scene of made friendships forged over beers and shared interests. Those who claim Judaism as their religion will love the fact that there is a strong Jewish presence on campus, and those that live, eat and breathe academics will love the fact that their professors clearly know the subjects that they specialize in.

5) Stanford University

Despite being a school of Ivy League caliber, Stanford continually surprises newcomers with the friendliness of its faculty and student body. An open environment ensures that people of all creeds, races, orientations, etc are made to feel welcome and accepted, and the campuses’ Californian location grants it photogenic looks that will the background of every experience you have over the next four years.

6) Clemson University

Well known for its great social scene and incredibly friendly people, socially extroverted types will thrive at Clemson. Those that consider themselves outdoors will love the fact that the natural splendor of South Carolina will be at their finger tips, as the Appalachian Mountains are 45 minutes away, and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic are a mere 4-5 hours from campus.

7) University of Wisconsin

Those that yearn to get involved on campus will find plenty of opportunities to get involved socially at the University of Wisconsin, and for those that would rather paint their face and cheer on their school’s team until they lose their voice, being involved in D1 athletics creates a lot of spirit on campus. What if you’re introverted though? A variety of dorms enables people of all types to find a living arrangement that suits them best, eliminating friction being portions of the population that are less compatible with each other.

8) Florida State University

In the relative warmth of the Northern Florida autumn, football season is a blast from start to finish, as enthusiastic students crowd the stands to cheer on the Seminoles to victory. A vibrant Greek life only serves to fuel that fervor on game days, as well as the party scene on weekends. Those that were hoping to actually get some learning done in all this aren’t left out in the cold though, as the professors here are reported as being very competent and knowledgeable in their area of expertise.

9) Tulane University

First point in Tulane’s favor: it’s in freakin’ New Orleans, so when the books shut on Friday afternoon, the nightlife that ensues will make you the envy of your old high school friends. Those looking to meet people different from themselves will love the fact that Tulane attracts a diverse student body from across the country and around the world, all seeking the Nawlins lifestyle.

10) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jocks and partiers rejoice: the parties and social events that revolve around sports never seem to stop here, so enjoy the four years you spend here if you go, as they will invariably be the best ones of your life. Despite its location in the midst of the Deep South, UNC at Chapel Hill is actually one of the most open-minded and accepting places in the country, standing in stark contrast to the uber conservative countryside that lies outside this bubble of liberalism.

Cape Verde: Africa’s Little Galapagos!

A small, volcanic spattering of lush islands located off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde enjoys a warm, dry climate, little rainfall and over the past few years, has sharpened its focus on tourism. Cape Verde is actually very easily accessible via plane, so if you’re studying abroad in Europe, it makes a great long weekend trip or spring break destination!

Cape Verde holidays are most famed for the natural beauty of the land and seascapes, and for the cultural legacy of morna, a haunting creole genre of music made famous by singer Cesária Évora. Discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and gaining independence only in 1975, the country now has a population of over half a million, and welcomes around the same number of visitors to its shores each year.

A mixed melting pot of influences will always produce a colorful culinary destination, and Cape Verde is no exception. Its abundance of delicious dishes uses freshly caught seafood including lobster, tuna and squid, while cachupa is the national dish, assembled from rice, meats and beans, and enjoyed in times of celebration. Grogue is the main alcoholic beverage. This heady brew gets its name from the rum concoction enjoyed by pirates used to keep scurvy at bay, and is distilled from sugar cane.

food in Cape Verde

Nature lovers will adore getting up close with the Loggerhead sea turtles.  Preservation efforts are being made on the island of Santa Maria, and visitors can visit a turtle hatchery between June and December. It’s even possible in summer months to head out on a guided walk to the beach where the turtles lay their eggs, and to adopt a baby turtle so the good work can continue long after you’ve set off on your journey home.

You can also learn a new skill on Santa Maria, an island famed for its perfect conditions for kite surfing. The English-speaking instructors give one-to-one tuition, and it’s possible to be picked up from your hotel to learn what could swiftly become an obsession. If you prefer your expeditions from the comfort of a boat, it’s also possible to zip out over the waves around the island of Sal, to spot flying fish, dolphins and whales.

kiteboarding in Cape VerdeWhether you’re hoping for an active adventure, to learn about animal conservation and sealife, or to enjoy some grogue while tapping toes to the thrum of some traditional folk music, Cape Verde enjoys a unique global position, culture and atmosphere that are well worth further exploration.