Overview
Culture, History, Recreation, and Entertainment Abound in Philadelphia
The city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, is also a city of artistic venues and celebrated sites. Many museums grace the city, including the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Historic sites such as Independence Hall and the Library Bell invite students to learn more about the American Revolution.
Culture flourishes as one of the country's oldest opera houses remains home to many of Philadelphia's opera, ballet, and theatre performances. Students who love seeing sports will enjoy this Pennsylvania city. They can cheer professional level hockey, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, football and baseball teams.
If students want the great outdoors, the city and the rural Pennsylvania regions around it offer plenty of activity. The world's largest municipal park is in Philadelphia. Its grounds invite visitors to hike, bike, and blade. The park also encompasses the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the U.S. In the surrounding countryside, the Delaware River welcomes sailing and tubing activities. Lakes are ready for fishing, boating and swimming.
People who enjoy shopping will take to Philadelphia. Unique streets offer specialty shops and fun dining. Cheesesteak is the food Philly is known for, yet the city provides eateries, pubs and restaurants with varied personalities and opportunities to hear live music or sample ethnic cuisine.
Temple University's main campus is close to the culture and dining center of the city. Temple is a large, public university that operates eight campuses and awards degrees in a comprehensive assortment of academic programs. The university connects its Philadelphia scholars to discount tickets for sports, concerts and exhibits, so they can enjoy this dynamic metropolitan area of Pennsylvania.
Cultural Opportunities and Social Activities at Temple
Temple University has a strong representation of students from the Philadelphia area, yet the school also enrolls individuals from throughout the nation and the world on its campuses. The international students at Temple can rely on a strong support network and intensive English programs. The university also encourages international visitors.
Cultural opportunities abound for the student interested in experiencing a global education. Temple has established campuses in Tokyo and Rome and has programs in England, China, and other countries. An International Affairs office oversees the study abroad and student exchange programs. Summer study abroad programs transform the summer of leisure into a whole new realm of cultural opportunities. Students may also spend a semester or year studying outside the U.S.
Closer to the campus, the Office of Student Activities hosts social activities, including week-long events. From multi-cultural nights and scavenger hunts to bingo and open microphone evenings, activities for a social life are in abundance. Many student organizations also contribute to a productive social life for the new student and offer the chance for leadership roles. Greek life has a lengthy history at Temple. In addition to fraternities and sororities, students can find social organizations focused on their interests - from engineering and fashion to environment and community service.
Sports clubs and intramurals are popular at the university, with many sports represented. The Temple Owls' athletic teams provide another option for participation. Some of the men's teams include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, rowing crew, and gymnastics. Women compete in fencing, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and other sports. Temple athletics adds another dimension to a spirited social life outside of the classroom.
Temple's Diversity on Campus Is Shown in Many Ways
The diversity on campus at Temple University is apparent in the student population, faculty, and educational curriculum. Students come from various socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, states, and even countries. Temple strives to retain accomplished, supportive professors that are open to students' ideas, as well as diversity in student thought.
This large, public institution provides a significant number of academic programs through school and college divisions, ranging from the College of Engineering to the School of Communications and Theater. A diverse mix of degree programs shows a commitment to the creative arts and state-of-the-art technology. Students may also benefit from diversity in educational programs they might not find at a smaller university, such as degrees in Opera, Russian, or Women's Studies.
Though the university is predominantly undergraduate, it also has master's and doctoral degree programs that advance the areas of research and scholarship. Its respected, professional colleges prepare students to be practitioners in the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, and law.
Students can learn about other cultures without leaving the campus by participating in collaborative projects with colleges in other countries, made possible through virtual coordination of the projects.
The student activities office promotes information on other cultures in several ways. For example, off-campus get-togethers are held at local, ethnic restaurants and organizations sponsor events that explore the traditions of other cultures.
Those students hoping to work in a global marketplace will appreciate the diversity on campus, around the classroom, in student organizations, and within study abroad programs. Interacting with other students from all walks of life creates a well-rounded graduate, ready to work in a world where cultural differences are welcomed.
