Things to try while Studying Abroad @ University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison was recently named the best city for young people by Kiplinger.  I made a handful of friends who were international students or just studying abroad for the year.  I thought students coming from overseas might find this list helpful.  This probably can apply to students from out of state, but I included some American-y things on the list that you can skip.  I grew up in the Madison area, and currently attend UW - Madison.  I'll try to update this as I think of more ideas, and feel free to comment your suggestions.  These are in no particular order, but are split up by season.  Hope this helps you enjoy your experience better!

- General -

1.  I recommend trying these with friends who are from the US or from Wisconsin because they can help you navigate and get the most out of each experience.
2.  Get a Facebook page.
• Pretty much everyone in college has a Facebook.  It will helpful to keep in contact with friends you make in class.
3. Go to a free movie at Union South.   
• Here is the website for the location 
• WUD hosts the films (they also host guest lectures around campus)
• The seats are first come, first serve.  Therefore, if the movie is popular you might want to go early.
4. Go to the Farmers Market (website)
• It is open Saturday mornings at the Capital square
• It is available in the fall, spring, and summer
•  The hot spicy cheese bread is a must have!  (You can snack on it while walking around the square.)
5. Go to a midnight premiere of a movie.
• If you live in dorm, they will likely hold an event and bus you over.  
• If you don't want to buy food or drink there, then have a girl hide some in a large purse. 
• The energy level is higher at the midnight showings because the big fans will be the ones going.
6. Go dancing
•  There is swing dancing on Wednesday nights at the Brink lounge
• You can go latin dancing on Thursday nights at the Cardinal bar
7. Eat breakfast at Mickies Diary Bar
8. Have pizza from Ian's (considered the best place to get pizza downtown)
• I recommend the Mac N' Cheese pizza
9. Ichiban has the best Chinese food
10. Walk or bike on Lakeshore path
11. See a movie at Sundance
• They have a student discount (two tickets for the price of one) on Tuesdays
• A great place to go if you love movies
• You can have dinner on the roof (great spot for the 4th of July)
• If you are 21 or over you can bring alcohol (that you buy there) into the theatre
12. If you turn 21 here then celebrate!
• 21 is the legal drinking age in the United States
• Wando's has a thing called a fishbowl
• Nitty Gritty also has a birthday special (try a burger with their Gritty sauce)
13. Here is a list of websites with local events
•  Downtown Madison event page
• Memorial Union and Union South 
• Options for dancing
• Badger Herald (student newspaper) Undergraduate Bucket List

Advice for Aspiring College Students and Upcoming Freshmen

[Disclaimer: This is my opinion.  I also provide personal experiences in the brackets.  The drinking age is 21 in the United States, but I still provided tips because underage drinking isn't unheard of in college.]

My Best Tip for Current High School Students:

Take AP classes (if you can)!  Now, don't waste your time if you don't think you can pass the AP exam.  Even if you can't get full credit, this depends on where you will be going anyway, the general credits will be a blessing.  If you want to either get a minor or double major, those credits will eat up the troublesome general education requirements.  Less general education requirements to worry about will mean you can focus on your major, graduate sooner, and maybe take classes just for fun.  Besides even if you don't get an A, colleges will like it because it shows that you are ready for college material.  They rather see you take higher level classes and power through it than take easy classes.  The only draw back is that you can't be a lazy senior.  (Although, after the AP exams are done you'll have at least a couple weeks to chill before graduation.)