Study in Baltimore, The United States

Baltimore, together with Boston and New York, is one of the most prominent ports on the eastern seaboard of the United States. For more than 300 years, merchant vessels have been flowing nonstop in and out of Baltimore's historic harbor, exchanging goods with cities in every corner of the world. Baltimore's residents played a major role in the American War of Independence and this, coupled with its overwhelming commercial importance and sheltered location on the Chesapeake Bay, made Baltimore a top candidate for the honor of being the American capital city.

Modern-day Baltimore is a dense knot of contradictions. Its scenic waterfront, home of delectable seafood restaurants, high-end hotels, and the world-famous Baltimore Aquarium, attract a variety of tourists from other down the East Coast. Further in, however, the city's character changes. The acute poverty of Baltimore's residents becomes readily apparent, and its reputation as a dangerous place to live is thrown into stark relief. Inner Baltimore is widely regarded as a prime example of the worst aspects of American poverty and urban blight. Of course, outside these neighborhoods–where the average visitor has no reason to venture–there is nothing unsafe about Baltimore. Among residents of the eastern United States, Baltimore is famous for 3 things: seafood, baseball, and education. Its renown as a center of learning is driven largely by the presence of Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins is a large and historic private university serving roughly 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students. While it attracts elite faculty and students in a number of disciplines, it is undoubtedly most famous for medical and scientific research. Not only was Johns Hopkins the 1st modern research university in the United States, it has also consistently been ranked as the number 1 institution in American medicine, engineering, and pure science.

In addition to the ultra-elite Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore also offers a number of other colleges, universities, and vocational institutes. This commercial and industrial town is home to numerous career colleges that specialize in fields as diverse as metalworking and bartending, while Baltimore City Community College offers academic programs and short-term training for specific jobs. These educational options have helped to alleviate the poverty of some Baltimoreans, and opportunities for advanced schooling are one of the main advantages of life in this city. The presence of so many colleges and universities also has an effect on the local culture, as many neighborhoods have become known as student hangout areas where members of various student bodies can meet and relax.

Only an hour’s drive from Washington DC and roughly 2 hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore is a popular destination for foreign students (particularly those from Europe) who want to explore the historic cities of eastern United States. Students can easily take day trips into the American capital to visit its memorials and museums, or walk amongst the buildings in Philadelphia where the idea of the United States was born. Even New York City, perhaps the grandest super-city on the planet, is easily accessible from Baltimore.