| |
Studying in Ohio
|
At the crossroads of innovation and excitement, Ohio offers a
diverse assortment of educational and recreational opportunities
in the heart of the United States. With over 100 colleges and
universities, students are sure to find an educational setting
to match their needs. From space-age research to the rugged
beauty and adventure of the outdoors, students can also
experience the unique character and charm of midwestern America.
As the nation's leader in business expansion and development,
Ohio is home to numerous research-focused universities and
institutions that provide cutting-edge information. For example,
engineers at the NASA Lewis Research Center, New Cleveland are
studying the effects of gravity on fluids and how to detect
potentially damaging acceleration forces. During a free tour of
this facility, visitors can learn more about current research,
see a piece of the moon and examine a recreated microgravity
drop chamber. Other institutions around the state focus on
topics ranging from agricultural techniques to theater research.
The United States Air Force Museum near Dayton displays the
history of aeronautical technology. As the oldest and largest
military aviation museum in the world, the Museum chronicles the
story of aviation development from the Wright Brothers at Kitty
Hawk to the Space Age.
Over one and a half million visitors from around the world come
to Ohio each year to tour this unique free attraction.
Protecting endangered species is the mission of the Wilds, North
America's largest conservation facility. Through education
programs, scientific studies and management techniques,
scientists are trying to protect endangered species such as
zebras, rhinos, giraffes, camels, Przewalski horses and various
types of African antelope. Animals at The Wilds live in
protected, large, open-range habitats on 10,000 acres of
reclaimed surface-mined land.
Although a Raptor or Mantis may sound as if they belong at The
Wilds, these two roller coasters actually reside along the shore
of Lake Erie. Cedar Point Amusement Park, nicknamed "America's
Rollercoast," is the world leader in roller coasters, with 12
record-breaking scream machines dominating the skyline. The
park's most recent addition (1998) to its ride arsenal is Power
Tower, which shoots riders 240 feet into the air and sends them
careening toward the earth at 50 miles per hour. The park's Soak
City water park offers more than 18 acres of splashing fun with
a gigantic wave pool, numerous water slides, an activity pool
and an adult pool featuring a bar in the water.
Lake Erie is host to many attractions that 'rock and roll',
including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in
Cleveland. This museum showcases the beginnings of rock and roll
(a term coined in Cleveland), with exhibits featuring
instruments, stage costumes and handwritten lyrics highlighting
different periods and performers including Elvis Presley, the
Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Holly. The building itself makes
a bold statement, with its 162-foot triangular metal and glass
tower rising from the 65,000 square-foot entry plaza.
Internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei designed the
structure, and he is also known for the pyramidal addition to
the Louvre Museum in Paris and the National Gallery of Art's
East Building in Washington, DC. Cleveland is also home to the
Flats entertainment district - once an industrial area, it has
now been rejuvenated with restaurants, bars and nightclubs
located on the riverfront. The University Circle area includes a
large selection of museums including the Cleveland Museum of Art
(one of the top 10 in the country) and the Cleveland Museum of
Natural History.
For a simpler and slower pace of life, Amish country offers a
glimpse into another way of life. While the Amish shun
electricity, cameras, and motor vehicles, a closer look reveals
a way of life based on the foundations of faith and family,
living peacefully amid the chaos of modern life. "The Amish"
actually encompasses several different sects that first emerged
during the Reformation in 1525. Believing strongly in the
separation of church and state, these "simple folk" were often
persecuted for their beliefs. Hundreds of Amish left
Switzerland, Germany and France to move to North America. Today,
northeastern Ohio is home to the largest Amish population in the
world.
The Hocking Hills in the southeastern part of the state are one
of the most unusual and beautiful natural areas in the Midwest.
Dotted with caves and waterfalls, the Hocking Hills State Park
is easily accessible by well-kept trails. Visitors can find
inexpensive fun hiking miles of trails, canoeing the scenic
rivers, or camping in the rugged wilderness. For more
adventuresome souls, the area boasts enough rock to keep
climbers and rappellers busy for days. Beginners can try their
new skills on 20-foot climbs, while more advanced enthusiasts
can scale 120-foot faces.
Ohio offers a snapshot of what the United States has to offer.
With internationally recognized study programs and diverse
opportunities for entertainment, students can find the right
balance of work and play. Located in the heart of the United
States, other major cities, including New York and Chicago, are
within a day's drive. With the relative safety, lower cost of
living, and variety of opportunities, Ohio is the perfect place
for students to continue their education and expand their
cultural boundaries. |
|
|
|
|
