I would not call this culture shock. Maybe for you it was, but movies sterotype EVERYONE not just women. Thats all a part of tinseltown.

The reasons I went abroad were the Exposure to new people, foods, cultures, and languages-- to broaden your awareness and experience, the better you are able to handle the uncertainty of life.

The bar scene in Americas is huge and people go out almost every single night depending on what citiies you decided to visit. Do you know where you want to visit and then people could offer a little bit more specific feedback.

Yeah going abroad is one of those invaluable experiences that you will regret not doing if you have the opportunnity. Its is certainly one of the only times in your life where its the most affordable for sure.

I have been living without a TV - or should I say Cable/Standard Televison Channels. The only thing I use my TV for is Movies and it saves me moolah that would have otherwise been spentt cable bills every month plus you can watch everything online now anyway.