Indiana University - Bloomington

SPEA at Indiana University definitely attracts a fantastic graduate crowd. The students here are just as incredible as the research happening in the school.

I am currently a second year graduate student, but also went to Indiana University for my undergraduate degree. I am from southern Indiana and am a slightly above average student in my current program. having been an undergrad in the same school I expected the grad program to be an extension of my undergrad. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much more advanced the masters program is. For once, every class I have taken in the past year I have deemed relevant in one way or another. I genuinely enjoy going to class and though the workload is significant I do not mind it because the work is something I have a true passion for. Though the university is located virtually in the middle of nowhere the student population is so large that there is always plenty to do regardless of who you are. Also in regard to the marriage prospects question, there are many very attractive individuals who attend this university and I also met the love of my life here.

It's a good university.
Department: Central Eurasian Studies--great department. CEUS is the only place in the US to study all the Central Asian languages. Unfortunately, the department and grad student population university-wide is underfunded. Most students in this department end up with $10,000 to $60,000 in student loans at the end of an MA. Great well funded summer language program (SWSEEL).

The University: Great ascetic environment for grad study. Lots of drunk Hoosier undergrads, but they're mostly harmless. The university's out-of-state tuition is too high. Good facilities and access to everything you need, but grad school here leaves you feeling like you didn't have time to actually enjoy what the university has to offer. The nature of funding issues leaves most grad students feeling like the university doesn't care about them at all.

Ultimately, its the best available for the study of Central Asia / Inner Asia. If you can get funding elsewhere, you might want to consider just coming here for summer language instruction (which is funded much better than the academic year).

Oh, and University Apartments are a great living option (all bills included in rent)... but there's plenty of reasonably-priced housing options in Bloomington.