OUR HOST CITIES

Leipzig // Oxford // Valencia

Studying abroad offers the opportunity to explore, experience, and become part of a new city. Below, you’ll find curated resources to help you learn more about each of our program locations. Select your destination below—Leipzig, Oxford, or Valencia—to discover helpful information about the city, program site, and local experience.

Leipzig

  • Leipzig, Germany, is located in the region of Saxony. The city is known for its musical legacy, being the hometown of Bach, and for its historical significance - from the Napoleonic Wars to the Cold War period. Aesthetically, it boasts a captivating mix of medieval and modern architecture. The city's vibrant atmosphere, marked by bustling markets and a dynamic arts scene, makes it a compelling destination where history and contemporary life converge.

    • Visit the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche, each church rich in historical significance.

    • Explore the historical and cultural exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Grassi Museum.

    • Attend a classical music performance at the famous Gewandhaus.

    • Enjoy a stroll or run in one of Leipzig's pristine parks.

    • Explore Leipzig's many diverse districts, such as Plagwitz or Südvorstadt.

    • Visit the Leipzig Zoo, one of the oldest in the world.

  • Leipzig will feel like a second home! There are many grocery stores - some even seconds from the villa - such as ALDI, Konsum, Lidl, and more. Market days occur twice a week in the Old Town! There are also several schools, including an international school near the villa. Leipzig offers an endless supply of unique local coffee shops and cafes to work at. Finally, many past students have found community at nearby churches, such as the Leipzig English Church.

 

Oxford

  • Oxford, England, is known as the "City of Dreaming Spires." Oxford's skyline has iconic structures like the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera. It is home to the University of Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, with its many colleges. Wandering through the cobblestone streets today, you see a blend of medieval and modern elements, from the bustling Covered Market to the tranquil Christ Church Meadow. Whether exploring the scholarly halls, admiring the centuries-old architecture, or wandering along the Cherwell River, Oxford offers a quintessentially British experience, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the legacy of knowledge and culture that fills this program location.

    • Explore the historic Bodleian Library.

    • Visit colleges such as Christ Church and Magdalen.

    • Walk through the Christ Church Meadow.

    • Discover the Ashmolean Museum.

    • Explore the University of Oxford's various campuses.

    • Enjoy a meal or afternoon tea at a traditional Oxford pub or cafe.

  • England offers a blend of academic pursuit and cultural richness. Students here are immersed in a centuries-old tradition of scholarship and innovation. You will have endless opportunities to explore Oxford's colleges and libraries during their time abroad. Oxford's vibrant cultural scene includes theater productions, art galleries, and literary festivals, providing faculty with ample opportunities for experiences outside the classroom. Oxford also offers beautiful meadows, winding streets, cafes, and markets to explore. Weekends may involve excursions to nearby London or other English cities.

 

Valencia

  • Valencia is a city where centuries of history meet bold visions of the future. Founded by the Romans in 138 BCE and shaped by Moorish, Christian, and Catalan influences, Valencia’s rich cultural tapestry is visible in its architecture, festivals, and everyday life. Its Old Town brims with Gothic cathedrals, hidden courtyards, and bustling markets — while just a few blocks away, the ultramodern City of Arts and Sciences rises like a futuristic sculpture.

    But Valencia is more than just beautiful. It’s also one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities for innovation and sustainability. Named the European Capital of Smart Tourism and home to a growing number of tech startups and green initiatives, Valencia is leading the way in urban livability and environmental design. It was recently recognized by Forbes magazine as the best city to live in the world, multiple times — a testament to its exceptional balance of affordability, safety, climate, and community.

    With its miles of coastline, vibrant cultural scene, and commitment to forward-thinking design, Valencia offers students not just a place to study, but a model for what future cities can become.

    • Visit one of the nearby beaches.

    • Go to Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

    • Explore local markets, malls, and cafes.

    • Visit Parque Natural de la Albufera

    • Walk around Old Town

    • Visit the Valencia Cathedral

  • Life in Valencia is a colorful fusion of Mediterranean charm, rich history, and daily discoveries. As a student here, you’ll wake up to the sound of church bells and the scent of fresh bread drifting from neighborhood bakeries. You’ll live and learn in a city where Roman ruins meet futuristic architecture, and where paella was born — and is still best enjoyed seaside with friends after class.

    Valencia invites you to slow down and savor life. Mornings might begin with café con leche in a bustling plaza, while afternoons bring bike rides through the Turia River Park or study sessions under orange trees in the university district. The city is alive with festivals, street music, and spontaneous conversations — a place where cultural immersion doesn’t happen in a classroom, but in everyday encounters.

    From the cobblestone streets of El Carmen to the shimmering sands of Malvarrosa Beach, Valencia offers a vibrant, walkable world that balances academic focus with adventure. On weekends, hop a train to Barcelona or Madrid, or explore the quiet villages and rugged coastline of Spain’s interior. Wherever you go, you’ll carry with you the rhythms of this remarkable city — a place where learning becomes a way of life.