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1. Studying in Boston
Now among the most progressive places in the US, the waterside city of Boston has its roots in rebellion. Founded by puritans in 1630, the capital of Massachusetts earned the nickname ‘The Cradle of Liberty’ after rowdy locals sparked the American Revolution. Since then, Boston has evolved into a seafood-loving hub of world-class academia and the visual arts, with cutting-edge architecture featuring alongside its renowned historical sites.
You’ll find plenty here to keep you occupied after class. Hit the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-bricked pathway connecting 16 key locations from the American Revolution. Start at Boston Common, America’s oldest public park and one of nine lush green spaces making up the city’s famous Emerald Necklace. Tour the house of midnight rider Paul Revere, or climb aboard the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship.
Once you’ve got a handle on the city’s history, check out its burgeoning cultural side with a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts or Symphony Hall. If you’re a sports fan, you can hop on your bike and pedal to another famous local institution: Fenway Park, home of the World Series-winning Red Sox baseball team. Bostonians are known for being fanatical about sports, so you’ll find it hard to find a more passionate crowd.
What makes Boston a great student city?
If you make your student home in Boston, you’ll have the two best universities in the world just a short hop across the river – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, known across the globe for its work in engineering and science, and famous Ivy League school Harvard University. There are also more than 80 other universities and colleges across the metro area, so you’d be joining an already sizeable student population. In short, you won’t have to go far to make friends.
What you can look forward to when studying in Boston: 2016
- Boston has one of the largest Irish populations in the US. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day at the Irish Film Festival between March 10th-13th, or join the St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 20th.
- The city is known for its foodie enthusiasm, centred around fresh seafood and trendy fusion dishes. Sample what Boston has to offer at the Taste of South Boston festival on April 3rd and indulge in some local treats.
- Join in the 4th of July celebrations with fireworks, firing cannons and ringing church bells on the Bank of the Charles River. Can you think of a better place to celebrate America’s birthday? We certainly can’t.
- CollegeFest is a free back-to-school event held at Fenway Park on September 24th. Expect live music, student entertainment and tons of giveaways.
For more events, click here.
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2. Studying in Seattle
Nestled between Puget Sound and the fresh waters of Lake Washington, Seattle is the grassy, evergreen centre of the Pacific Northwest. Like Rome, the city is said to lie on seven hills, though the UFO-inspired Space Needle and the looming snow-frosted peak of Mount Rainier are the landmarks most likely to catch your eye. While Seattle has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the wettest weather in the country, all that rain keeps the surrounding area carpeted with some of the best natural greenery around.
In Seattle, you’ll be living in America’s original hipster city – the birthplace of countless cultural revolutions. World-famous music legends like Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix have left a rich legacy on this trendsetting town, and after dark you can discover its craft beer-fuelled music scene. When the sun rises, put your guitar down and treat yourself to a fresh brew from the first ever Starbucks store down on Pike’s Place, which still bears the original logo. Then, wander around the market, making your way past street entertainers and stalls piled high with the catch of the day.
You can step away from the city’s gleaming skyscrapers on weekends and check out Seattle’s oldest district, Pioneer Square, where you’ll find streets lined with historic red brick buildings. Discover all things pop-culture at the quirky EMP Museum, or take in contemporary art at the Olympic Sculpture Park and gaze out at the view across to the surrounding mountain ranges.
What makes Seattle a great student city?
You’ll be in good company if you make your student home here, as there are 11 colleges and universities including Seattle University and the University of Washington. Seattle is home to several flagship giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing, so if you’re hoping to land your dream graduate job at one of these companies, this is the place to be.
What you can look forward to in 2016 when studying in Seattle
- With the biannual Dine Around Seattle promotion between March 6th and the 31st, you can eat out at some of the city’s best local restaurants for a cut-price deal.
- To see Seattle’s stunning surrounds for yourself, you can take advantage of Free National Park Day in April and see Mount Rainier and the Olympic National Park without the usual admission charge. Look out for other free national park events throughout the year.
- Seattle International Film Festival takes place between June 1st and 12th each year, and is billed as the largest film festival in the US.
- Over the Labor Day weekend in September, you can check out the Bumbershoot festival and celebrate the end of summer with live music, comedy, theatre and film.
For more events, click here.
Have you booked your accommodation in Seattle yet? Student.com has fantastic student accommodation still available.
3. Studying in Philadelphia
Set between New York and Washington DC, Philadelphia was recently named the first and only World Heritage City in the United States by UNESCO – and you won’t have to delve very deep to learn why. While its bigger neighbours may be better known, there’s a rich and exciting history behind Philly which has a huge impact on day-to-day life.
It was here that the country’s Founding Fathers met to sign the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution, so it’s considered the birthplace of America’s modern democracy. Wander along the city’s cobblestoned alleys between red brick colonial houses, and it won’t be long before you stumble across national icons like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The city’s museums are equally noteworthy, showcasing everything from an ancient Egyptian sphinx to Benjamin Franklin’s inventions.
But there’s more to Philadelphia than history – it’s also known for being forward-thinking and multicultural. This is probably best reflected through its love affair with food, so as well as enjoying a famous cheesesteak or two, you’re just as likely to dig into fresh mozzarella at the Italian Market. Once you’ve eaten your fill, spend an afternoon discovering the city’s active arts scene – thanks to an innovative mural arts program, it has the largest collection of public art in the country.
What makes Philadelphia a great student city?
Philadelphia has more than 100 universities and colleges. Among them is the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, which is one of the oldest universities in the United States and a member of the Ivy League – in 2016, it was ranked the 17th best university in the world! Other top institutions include Drexel University, Temple University and La Salle University.
If you’re an international student, you’ll also find it easy to get to Philadelphia – as well as just under 20 direct flights from international destinations, there are short connecting journeys from nearby New York City and Washington DC.
What you can look forward to in 2016 if studying in Philadelphia
- This year is the 40th anniversary of the Rocky film, and you can celebrate by running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky Balboa, and posing with the statue of him after.
- Between the 11th and 17th of April, you can visit Japan without leaving Philadelphia. Celebrate the coming of spring just like the Japanese with a party beneath the blossoming cherry trees in Fairmount Park. You can also watch martial arts demonstrations and ikebana flower arranging.
- Across the 4th of July weekend, you can hit the All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival for a serious sugar high. Entry costs $7, and all proceeds will go to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Between July 25th and 28th, the Democratic National Convention will be held in Philadelphia. The city will be abuzz with delegates and elected officials, and the Democratic Party will also select its nominee for President. Where better than the birthplace of American democracy?
For more events, click here.
Have you booked your accommodation in Philadelphia yet? Student.com has fantastic student accommodation still available.
4. Studying in Austin
If Austin was a member of your family, it’d be your cool, fun-loving older brother. And if you make your home in the Lone Star State’s capital, you’ll also be living in the country’s quirkiest city. Wander down Austin’s broad boulevards, and it won’t be long before you discover the city’s unofficial motto emblazoned on t-shirts and bumper stickers: Keep Austin Weird. In fact, it’s Austin’s ‘anything goes’ spirit and southern charm that draws people to it year after year.
Start a tour of your new neighbourhood on the Drag, a section of Guadalupe Street running parallel to the University of Texas campus. You’ll find everything from tie-dyed tops to name-brand stores on this eclectic avenue, and come nightfall you’ll experience another side of this quirky city. Austin is known as the live music capital of the world, so it’s filled to bursting point with buzzing music haunts and laid-back dive bars. Refuel with everything from pit-smoked barbecue to Mexican street eats from the neighbourhood food trucks after a night out.
Come the weekend, you’ll find plenty of ways to relax. The city is split in two by the Colorado River, so you can spend your downtime wandering along the scenic boardwalk or paddling out on Lady Bird Lake. When the sun goes down, set up by Congress Avenue Bridge to see one of the best natural phenomena around: every evening, the world’s largest bat colony comes streaming out of the crevices to take flight.
What makes Austin a great student city?
Austin attracts a young and talented crowd. The student population tops 50,000 people, and the University of Texas has one of the largest campuses in the United States, stretching across 430 acres of red tile-topped buildings and rolling green spaces. The facilities are equally extensive: there are seven museums, 17 libraries and over 17,000 pieces of art in the on-site gallery.
Events to look forward to in Austin in 2016
- There are two major music festivals for you to look forward to every year: SXSW in March, and the Austin City Limits Festival in October. Lovers of live music, look no further.
- In March, you can grab your cowboy boots and giddy-up to Rodeo Austin, which is now one of the biggest events in the city. You’ll find everything from professional rodeo events to livestock exhibitions.
- If you’re big on seafood, don’t miss the 21st Annual Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival. Over 3,000 kilos of free crawfish will be consumed, and there will also be live brass, blues, funk and rock music. If you’re feeling really brave, try some alligator.
- If you were a fan of Winnie the Pooh as a child, you’ll know the downcast donkey character, Eeyore. You can cheer him up by attending Eeyore’s Annual Birthday Party along with some of Austin’s more eclectic locals in April, and enjoy an afternoon of live music, acrobatics and costume contests.
For more events, click here.
Have you booked your accommodation in Austin yet? Student.com has fantastic student accommodation still available.
5. Studying in Berkeley
Beside the iconic San Francisco Bay, Berkeley has been famous for being a spirited city and a hotspot for intellectual discourse since its involvement in the Free Speech Movement. Today, it’s a vibrant student hub packed full of idealistic undergrads and progressive thinkers. So if you like to spend your downtime browsing indie bookstores or having in-depth political discussions in coffeehouses, this is the place to come.
Step into the heart of the student community along Telegraph Avenue, and join youthful shoppers browsing the alternative stalls running down the street. Haggle for homemade jewellery or vintage denim jackets, then make your way through the local thrift stores or ecoparks for some bargain home decorations. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Berkeley’s multicultural eateries, selling everything from budget Indian street food to bean-packed Mexican burritos.
You can explore cultural haunts like UC Berkeley Art Museum on weekends, or head out into the surrounding hills for a breath of fresh air. Nearby Tilden Regional Park has over 30 miles of nature trails for you to explore, or you can pack a picnic and visit Lake Anza for a freshwater swim with friends. Later, wander westwards to Cesar Chavez Park and watch seagulls soaring overhead, dodging colourful kites flown by locals. Stroll down to Berkeley Marina, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views across to the Golden Gate Bridge.
What makes Berkeley a great student city?
Berkeley has a top-notch public transport system, which is rare in the US where cars are generally preferred. As a student at the University of California, Berkeley, you’ll get a travel pass which will let you ride the AC Transit buses and Bear Transit shuttles completely free of charge. That means you can easily get to class and travel around town on weekends, whether you want to head up to the UC Botanical Garden or go hiking in the Berkeley Hills. There’s also a Night Safety Shuttle for students, so you can get home after a fun evening out – you can track where it is here.
What you can look forward to in 2016 in Berkeley?
- On the first weekend of June, you can let loose your inner bookworm at the free Bay Area Book Festival in Downtown Berkeley. Over 300 leading authors will be attending, with more than 100 keynote presentations and interviews.
- Caltopia, the largest college lifestyle festival in the United States, will take place this year between the 21st and 22nd of August. Join over 30,000 students on the UC Berkeley campus for tons of freebies and good food.
- In October you can head to Uncharted, the Bay Area’s first ‘ideas festival’, for two days of debates and workshops hosted by leading thinkers in everything from technology to politics.
- For a great introduction to quirky Telegraph Avenue, you can check out the Holiday Street Fair in December. Browse unusual arts and crafts and find the perfect homemade gifts.
For more events, click here.
Have you booked your accommodation in Berkeley yet? Student.com has fantastic student accommodation still available.