Which of the following US universities for exchange?

Ive just graduated and now going to do a master in business administration at a European university. Next year I have the opportunity to go abroad for one semester. I've made up my mind and know that I'll go to either South-Africa or the US. South-Africa would be good for its beautiful nature and because of the fact that I'd be there during the World Cup. Being a huge fun of my national team, I'd love to be there.

On the other hand, the US would be a very interesting option too. The friends who have been to US universities for exchange all told me about the awesome student-life and particularly the parties! Additionally, I want to get a better understanding of the American life, and particularly the differences between Europe and the US. However, where to go? My home university has co-operation agreements with the following universities and the US is so huge that it is hard for me to decide where to go.

Baruch College, City University of New York
(New York, NY)

Belmont University
(Nashville, TN)

Benedictine University
(Lisle near Chicago, IL)

Bentley College
(Waltham near Boston, MA)

Boston College
(Boston, MA)

Boston University, Faculty of Management
(Boston, MA)

Brandeis University, International Business School
(Waltham, MA)

California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly) Orfalea College of Business
(San Luis Obispo, CA)

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management ,
(Cleveland, OH)

Central Michigan University
(Mount Pleasant, MI)

Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management
(Ithaca, NY)

Emory University, Goizueta School of Business
(Atlanta, GA)

George Washington University
(Washington DC)

Georgia State University, Robinson College of Business
(Atlanta, GA)

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
(Bloomington, IN)

Monterey Institute of International Studies
(Monterey, CA)

New York University, L. Stern School of Business
(NYC, NY)

NC State University, College of Business
(Raleigh, NC)

Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg School of Management
(Chicago, IL)

Ohio State University. Fisher School of Business
(Columbus, OH)

Oregon State University
(Corvallis, OR)

Portland State University
(Portland, OR)

Penn State University
(University Park, PA)

Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
(Malibu, CA)

Purdue University, Krannert School of Management
(West Lafayette, IN)

Rensselaer Politechnic Institute, Lally School of Management and Technology
(Troy, NY)

Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business
(Dallas, TX)

Stony Brook University, State University of New York
(Long Island, NY)

Suffolk University, Sawyer School of Management
(Boston, MA)

Texas A & M University, Mays School of Business
(College Station, TX)

Tulane University, Freeman School of Business
(New Orleans, LA)

University of Akron
(Akron, OH)

University of California - Los Angeles, Anderson School of Business
(Los Angeles, CA)

University of Hawaii at Manoa
(Honolulu, HI)

University of Maryland, Smith School of Business
(College Park, MD)

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
(Ann Arbor, MI)

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
(Minneapolis, MN)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kenan Flagler School of Business
(Chapel Hill, NC)

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Belk College of Business
(Charlotte, NC) - under negotiation

University of North Carolina Exchange Program (All 16 campuses)
(NC)

University of Oregon
(Eugene, OR)

University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School
(Philadelphia, PA)

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business
(Richmond, VA)

University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business
(Columbia, SC)

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
(Los Angeles, CA)

University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
(Austin, TX)

University of Utah
(Salt Lake City, UT)

University of Washington, School of Business Administration
(Seattle, WA)

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
(WI)

University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Business
(WI)

Washington Semester Program
(Washington DC)

Washington State University
(Pullman, WA)

Willamette University, Atkinson Graduate School of Management
(Salem, OR)

Any recommendations to which state or specific university I should go? Apart from what I stated before, I have no real wishes... well I wouldn't mind some good climate like in So Cal.


Thanks in advance

[edit on 27-5-2009 by Mdv2]

In my opinion, I would head of to USC. Especially in the summertime. Great school and you should be able to head off to the beach. Thats what SoCals all about.

My short list would be

Boston College
(Boston, MA)

Boston University, Faculty of Management
(Boston, MA)

Brandeis University, International Business School
(Waltham, MA)

California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly) Orfalea College of Business
(San Luis Obispo, CA)


Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management
(Ithaca, NY)

Emory University, Goizueta School of Business
(Atlanta, GA) (Almost went here)

George Washington University
(Washington DC)

Georgia State University, Robinson College of Business
(Atlanta, GA)

New York University, L. Stern School of Business
(NYC, NY)

NC State University, College of Business
(Raleigh, NC)

Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
(Malibu, CA)

Rensselaer Politechnic Institute, Lally School of Management and Technology
(Troy, NY)

Stony Brook University, State University of New York
(Long Island, NY) (My mom went here)

Suffolk University, Sawyer School of Management
(Boston, MA)

Texas A & M University, Mays School of Business
(College Station, TX) (I almost went here)

Tulane University, Freeman School of Business
(New Orleans, LA)

University of Hawaii at Manoa
(Honolulu, HI)

University of Maryland, Smith School of Business
(College Park, MD) (Awful campus but good school)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kenan Flagler School of Business
(Chapel Hill, NC)

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Belk College of Business
(Charlotte, NC) - under negotiation

University of North Carolina Exchange Program (All 16 campuses)
(NC)