Studying in the United States is not as straightforward as it used to be. Is it still worth it?
Will I get a good job after graduation?
Will I be prepared with new skills to pursue my career aspirations?
Will I earn enough to pay off my student loans?
Many students today are wondering whether the value and prospects offset the risks and costs of studying abroad in the US. With shifting visa regulations and federal policies that feel less welcoming than in the past, will the experience be the same?
University of South Carolina (USC) Student Success Manager Angi Wang recognizes that things have changed since she first arrived in the US as an international student nearly 10 years ago, but she believes that the opportunities for students at USC are stronger than ever.
“Once you’re here — the studying, the life that I have and that I see my students having right now, and the chances they will have in the future, it is worth all the effort,” said Angi.
Career Placement Is a Top Priority at USC
Many students take on loans that they will start repaying after graduation. So, when considering study abroad programs, they need to see a clear potential return on investment. As such, one of the most important things to look for when evaluating US universities is strong programs recognized within their fields that lead to high-paying roles.
“USC is ranked #127 among national universities and #63 among public universities, and has strong rankings in several majors — including engineering, where we’re #112 in undergraduate engineering programs,” said Angi. “The Darla Moore School of Business is outstanding — and we are the #1 undergraduate international business program for 28 consecutive years.” (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
In addition to its engineering and international business recognition, the University of South Carolina has top 25 programs in:
First-Year Experiences: ranked #3
Operations & Supply Chain Management, Darla Moore School of Business: ranked #15
Nursing: ranked #22
“Our Hospitality, Sport and Entertainment Management programming is amazing. Our Exercise Science program is also highly ranked — one of the best in the country,” said Angi. “These are not [necessarily] well-advertised globally; however, they are very well known within the US and growing in international reputation.”
USC Connects Students with Opportunity
Having great programming is one thing, but how about connecting students with career opportunities that lead to salaried roles? Angi says that part of what drives USC’s high rankings is the university’s framework for building career opportunities for students.
“Every semester we host at least eight career fairs,” said Angi. “We hold fairs for all majors at once, and others that are specifically for engineering or health majors and so on. Our students are very successful at finding really good off-campus opportunities for co-ops, internships, and even employment.”
There are several other opportunities on campus for international students to begin their careers. The Carolina Internship and Co-op Programs connect students and employers, providing structured support to ensure both have valuable, meaningful experiences. In addition to co-ops, students have several opportunities for curricular practical training (CPT) while pursuing their degree and optional practical training (OPT) after graduation.
“I’ve worked with international students who’ve landed internships, OPT, and CPT at Bank of America, IMG, Boeing [which has a major facility in Charleston], and BMW,” said Angi. “Several large international companies have significant operations in South Carolina and hire our students, like JushiUSA.”
International students can explore program-level outcomes via Gamecock GradStats to see typical salaries and roles. For instance, recent grad school graduates from the Molinaroli School of Engineering and Computing report an average salary of $106,477 as of September 2024.
Will I Feel Welcome in the US?
The University of South Carolina has the perfect combination of state-school practicality and internationally recognized programming. But with recent changes in government policy, living on campus at USC — and all other US universities — comes with new concerns for international students:
Is it safe?
Will I feel welcome?
Is there a community for me?
Angi acknowledges these as legitimate questions and notes that each circumstance is unique. But she also believes headlines are very different from the reality on campus, where advisors, faculty, and students continue to welcome international students overwhelmingly, just as they’ve always done.
“The level of Southern hospitality is something that you have to experience in person, especially in South Carolina,” said Angi. “Students tell me they’ll be moving dorms and hauling luggage on the street and random strangers will come up and help them.”
The University of South Carolina offers several creative ways for students to get to know their professors and instructors and build a network of contacts that will help their careers. But there are also opportunities to build friendships, attend social events, and explore college culture at a Division I university.
“The most important thing for first-year students is how supportive the community is and how welcoming it is,” said Angi. “They’re very warm towards international students, and they always want to get to know us [faculty] and our students a lot better. There are a lot of campus activities to help our students mingle and participate in local events and university events.”
Ten Years Later, USC Is Home for Angi
Angi’s journey at the University of South Carolina began 10 years ago, as a tutor. Before that, she studied for her undergraduate degree in Taiwan and came to the US for graduate school. When the International Accelerator Program learned that she could speak Chinese, she was brought on as an advisor. After a decade, helping students at USC become adults and career-ready college graduates is Angi’s calling.
“Every student’s story is unique, and I want them to know they’re not alone in this journey,” Angi said.
“A lot of students that I get in contact with during orientation have spent all of their first 18 years focusing on being excellent at studying, but they don’t have a lot of other life skills. Coming over here, they have to learn from zero: how to do their laundry, how to use a kettle to boil water. I really enjoy being that resource [who] helps them become adults.”
“I do the roommate pairing for our dormitories. Every year, we see these beautiful friendships that develop between students from all over the world,” said Angi. “Students from India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Korea building bonds that last after graduation.”
Students who complete their first year with the International Accelerator Program, a collaboration between USC and Shorelight, often return to work at the program office during their following years of study. That sense of community extends to domestic students as well as professors and faculty. Connections extend from regular office hours to Coffee Convos, where students can take their instructors out for coffee, get to know them outside the classroom, and maybe find a mentor.
“Last year, an English department professor opened his house and welcomed our students to spend Thanksgiving [an American holiday] with his family,” said Angi. “They hosted more than 20 students, feeding them a home-cooked meal, covering transportation, and just making sure they had an authentic Thanksgiving experience here in the US.”
USC offers programs that lead to careers in well-paying STEM fields and beyond. It also provides the support you need to understand visa regulations and legal requirements, so that you can concentrate on your university experience. But most importantly, says Angi, you will find on campus a community of instructors, students, and advisors who are happy that you came to South Carolina.
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