Orlando is far more than its theme parks: it is a fast-growing, diverse city with the huge University of Central Florida at its heart and year-round sunshine. Beaches, springs and the Space Coast are all close, and the cost of living is gentler than Miami. It is an easy, sociable place to land.

• Home to the University of Central Florida (UCF), one of the largest in the US.
• Theme parks, beaches and natural springs all within easy reach.
• More affordable than South Florida, with the same warm climate.

UCF's enormous student body drives the social scene, spread between the campus area in East Orlando and the bars of downtown and Mills 50. The theme parks are a genuine perk, with cheap annual passes for locals. Weekends mix beach trips, springs and nights out.

• Grab a Florida-resident annual pass for Universal or Disney once you have local ID.
• Downtown Orlando and the Mills 50 district have the best bars and food.
• Wekiwa Springs is a favourite for a hot-day swim near the city.

Orlando is moderately priced: budget around 1,300 to 2,000 dollars a month with shared rent. Purpose-built student housing near UCF is plentiful and reasonable, and everyday costs are low. Theme-park habits and air-conditioning are the main extras.

• Shared student flats near UCF run about 600 to 900 dollars a month.
• A meal out in Mills 50 rarely tops 15 dollars.
• LYNX buses and the SunRail train keep transport costs down.

Most students rent in the big purpose-built complexes ringing UCF in East Orlando, many with pools and shuttles. Downtown, Winter Park and Baldwin Park offer a more urban feel a little further out. Leases often run a year, so hunt for semester sublets early.

• Complexes around UCF are the simplest option, many with campus shuttles.
• Winter Park and downtown suit those wanting a more walkable base.
• Ask the Studcasa Orlando group about sublets and complexes with good shuttles.

Orlando is spread out and car-oriented, but LYNX buses and the free UCF shuttles cover the student areas, and the SunRail train links downtown and the suburbs. Brightline now connects Orlando to Miami by fast train. Many students share a car for the theme parks and beaches.

• The UCF shuttle network is free and links campus to nearby complexes.
• SunRail runs north to south through downtown; Brightline reaches Miami.
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major, cheap flight hub.

UCF is a very large public research university on a semester system, strong in engineering, hospitality, optics and computer science, with big lectures and smaller lab and discussion sections. The scale means excellent facilities but a need to be proactive about registration and support. The library and study centres keep long hours in term.

• Register early; the sheer size means popular courses fill fast.
• UCF Global runs orientation, trips and support for exchange students.

Almost every exchange student needs a visa, and which one depends on your programme and nationality. Most exchange students come on a J-1 exchange visitor visa (with a DS-2019 from your host university) or an F-1 student visa (with an I-20); your US university tells you which and issues the document. You then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 form, and attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate, so start the moment you're accepted, as interview waits can be long.

Budget for the SEVIS fee (around 220 dollars for J-1, 350 for F-1) plus the visa application fee, and note J-1 visas carry mandatory health insurance rules and sometimes a two-year home-residency requirement. Keep every document for border entry.

• Most exchange students, J-1 (DS-2019) or F-1 (I-20) visa
• Pay the SEVIS fee (~$220 J-1 / ~$350 F-1) before your interview
• Complete DS-160 and attend an in-person consulate interview
• J-1 requires compliant health insurance; check the two-year home-residency rule

Orlando's food is more diverse than its theme-park image suggests, with the Mills 50 district a hub of Vietnamese and pan-Asian cooking and a strong Latin presence citywide. Beyond the parks, there are farmers markets, breweries and springs to enjoy. It is casual, affordable and sunny.

• Explore Mills 50, the Little Saigon district, for pho, banh mi and bubble tea.
• Hit the Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola on Sundays.
• Try the Latin bakeries and food trucks across the city for cheap eats.

Where you live depends on whether you prioritise campus or city life. The complexes around UCF in East Orlando are convenient for lectures, while downtown, Mills 50 and Winter Park offer more walkable, urban living. Thornton Park and Baldwin Park are leafy, sociable options.

• East Orlando near UCF: the practical student choice with shuttles.
• Downtown and Mills 50: the best food and nightlife, more urban.
• Winter Park and Baldwin Park: leafy, walkable and a little smarter.

Orlando sits at the centre of Florida, so beaches, springs and cities are all close. The Atlantic beaches of the Space Coast are under an hour, Tampa and its gulf beaches lie west, and Brightline whisks you to Miami. The Kennedy Space Center is a must.

• Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast are under an hour east.
• Tampa and the Gulf beaches are about 90 minutes west.
• Brightline reaches Miami in around three and a half hours.

Orlando is easy and fun, but plan around the heat, the sprawl and the storms. Get a resident theme-park pass once you can, sort transport for the long distances, and watch the summer weather. Make the most of the springs and beaches.

• Buy a Florida-resident park pass once you have local proof of address.
• Summer brings daily thunderstorms and hurricane season; plan around them.
• Ask the Studcasa Orlando group about car-shares for beach and park trips.