Tell me about Council Bluffs, Iowa.

bassist 4 life · #1 06-12-2009, 04:18 AM

Hey, so I was basically all set to move to Bowling Green State in Ohio for university. I just got informed that I have been awarded a one year scholarship from the American Embassy over here as a part of their exchange program or whatever. The thing is though is that they get to choose the place for me.

They will most likely be sending me off to Western Iowa Community College in Council Bluffs. Now I still want to go to BGSU but its gonna be hard to convince my parents to choose between a free year of college and one thats not . I'm kind of discouraged because its a community college and all. I really dont know,I'm graduating with a 3.8 GPA and I kind of believe I deserve to be somewhere better lol (kind of arrogant I guess.) I dont know anything about that area or Iowa itself so yeah.

I mean the deal is pretty good its paid tuition/housing/living expenses. Call me crazy but I kind of dont really want to go there. I mean I was all set for Ohio and all. I got in touch with future freshman like me through facebook and all. I even looked up a martial arts school (really important to me) that I planned on going to. I have a friend who I was supposed to go with. A teacher from my high school is going there to get a graduate's degree so I kind of know people from Bowling Green.

Either way, my parents will probably force me to go there lol. Any input on the area would be greatly appreciated. I dont know if I might come off as a spoiled brat by posting this thread. I mean I know that its way easier for them because I theyre the ones who are gonna be paying and all. Its just a sudden change of plans thats all.

Thanks

TheDarkReaver · #2 06-12-2009, 09:37 AM

They're sending you half way round the world for a community college?

bassman1185 · #3 06-12-2009, 10:18 AM

Community colleges tend to have a lot of exchange programs.

Anway, I've never really been to Council Bluffs, but it's right across the river from Omaha, Nebraska, which is one of the larger, more vibrant cities in the area. There is a pretty good music scene in Omaha, too, and it seems like a pretty good amount of stuff to do.

James Hart · #4 06-12-2009, 10:19 AM

Last time I was there was in the early 80s so I have no clue what it's like now. Then is was typical middle America. My maternal Grandfather was from that area and though I've lost touch... I have some kin in that town / region.

Look at it this way... a free year of living and credits that can transfer into BGSU seems like a deal to take. Not for nothing but Ohio isn't exactly a destination I'd be traveling across the globe to be at either (though I enjoyed the time I spent in Columbus).

metron · #5 06-12-2009, 11:37 AM

I passed through a few times and all I remember is corn fields.

thumpbass1 · #6 06-12-2009, 12:26 PM

It's an alright, decent place. They have casino gambling, decent concerts at the Mid America Center, plus good shows at The Whiskey Roadhouse, and other attractions. You are also just a bridge crossing over the Missouri river right into Omaha Nebraska, with the Old Market scene, the big concerts at the Qwest Center and all of the attractions of my hometown. Basically Council Bluffs Iowa along with the Omaha Metro area, combine for offering big city attractions, along with middle american culture. You can also drive outside of either city to go see rural farmland if you choose, but there's a whole lot more to see and do in Council Bluffs or the Omaha Metro area across the river. It's actually good to live in either Council Bluffs or Omaha.

TrooperFarva · #7 06-12-2009, 12:34 PM

My advice: If your family doesn't have an overabundance of money, go to the community college for a year, and then transfer to the college of your choice. It'll save a lot of money, and no one cares where you started college, just where you finished it.

Yngwie 4String · #8 06-12-2009, 12:46 PM

I live about 40 miles from Council Bluffs, across the boarder in Nebraska. Its a decent sized town with a good mall. and it actually merges into Omaha wich is the biggest cities in Nebraska. So basically its nice sized city and if you want big city you dont ahve to go far. The area is pretty rural, but youll be able to have stuff to do. I dont know anything about the college though.

If your ultimate goal is a four year college I go to Peru State which is like I said only another 20 miles off. Its a very nice little college and its extremely cheap. The classes are small so the teachers will actually know who you are unlike at large universities. The only real drawback is that it in the middle of nowhere, you pretty much got to make a 20minute trip to Nebraska City for a Wal-Mart and some fast food places. I like it though, you can check it out at

www.peru.edu

Bob Lee (QSC) · #9 06-12-2009, 03:17 PM

Funny, I always though "Council Bluffs" was some sort of local political intrigue.

spade2you · #10 06-12-2009, 03:23 PM

Omahans tend to call it Council Tuckey. There are some very nice parts and the taxes are much lower than Omaha, but most major roadways through it look pretty low rent. Perhaps a step above Jed Clampet's place, but not by much......