International Students - Part 4
TRANSPORTATION
Oklahoma is located near the geographical center of the United States. Major interstate highways cross Oklahoma, connecting the east and west coasts and the north and south borders of the nation. International visitors find easy access to Oklahoma through Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City or Tulsa International Airport. Several commercial carriers provide service in and out of the state daily.
OKLAHOMA WEATHER
Oklahoma is well-known for having the variety provided by all four seasons. Its long and beautiful fall and spring seasons provide wonderful interludes between warm summers and occasionally snowy winters. At 1,200 feet (366 meters) above sea level, Oklahoma has an ideal relative humidity. It is one of America’s sunniest states with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. The average temperature is 61°F (16°C), the average annual rainfall is 32 inches (81 centimeters), and the average annual snowfall is 9 inches (23 centimeters).
Average Daily Temperatures by Month
January: 46°F (8°C)
February: 46°F (8°C)
March: 60°F (16°C)
April: 69°F (21°C)
May: 78°F (26°C)
June: 92°F (33°C)
July: 91°F (33°C)
August: 92°F (33°C)
September: 87°F (31°C)
October: 70°F (21°C)
November: 55°F (13°C)
December: 47°F (8°C)
OKLAHOMA HISTORY
Oklahoma has a unique history, unlike any other state in the United States. Once known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma is still closely associated with Native American culture, sharing this legacy through festivals, museums and the daily lives of Oklahomans.
Additionally, due to migration in the early 1800s, Oklahoma became home to a mix of different cultures and heritages. Near the end of the century, railroads and territorial land runs brought peoples with a wide variety of cultures and customs to Oklahoma Territory. Cities developed in the agrarian environment, and in 1907, Oklahoma joined the United States as the 46th state.
For more information, visit www.oklahomahistorycenter.org.
OKLAHOMA CULTURE
Oklahoma celebrates its modern culture, historical western culture and Native American culture through museums, cultural events and historic sites.
International students in Oklahoma enjoy visiting the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum, the Gilcrease Institute of American History, the Philbrook Art Center, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Woolaroc Museum and the Will Rogers Memorial. Indian City USA in Anadarko displays authentic Indian dwellings of various plains tribes.
Noted historic sites include restored Fort Gibson, the Cherokee Village Complex, Spiro Mounds and the Washita Battlefield. Oklahoma’s numerous parks and wildlife refuges include the Ouachita National Forest, the Chickasaw National Recreation area and the Wichita Mountains and Wildlife Refuge.
Oklahoma provides regular world-class performing arts events, including theatre productions and musical arts series featuring orchestra, voice, popular music and dance performances. Oklahoma’s lakes, golf courses, parks and recreation areas are ideal for outdoor activity. Sports in Oklahoma abound. Baseball, basketball, American football, soccer, ice hockey, gymnastics and wrestling provide weekly excitement throughout the state, especially on university campuses, where sports are a source of pride and entertainment for all students.
For more information, visit www.travelok.com.
For more information, call the Student Information Hotline at 800.858.1840 (225.9239 in Oklahoma City), e-mail studentinfo@osrhe.edu or visit www.OKcollegestart.org.
