I think Iowa City is a very cute small town. No matter where you go within Iowa City, everything is always very close. I like that! I made many friends here in Iowa City and will for sure miss them very much after I graduate. (I will probably cry when it is time to leave after graduation!)

Katharina Kley,
current student

I love living in Iowa City and being at the University of Iowa. Being from the east coast, we imagine Iowa as barren, flat, and full of corn. I am happy to report that it is completely unlike the image of Iowa that I had before moving here! There are plenty of activities to participate in, from football games to independent films to poetry readings at Prairie Lights, a countless number of restaurants to go to, and plenty of places to shop. There is corn, but also plenty of other produce, and the farmers market is second to none!

Raychel, Vasseur
current student

I lived in Iowa City for seven years total when I was in MA and Ph.D programs.  I enjoyed studying at coffee shops, libraries (both University and city library), and having some fun with friends in downtown Iowa City. The city’s diversity and the welcoming atmosphere didn’t make me feel ‘foreign’ at all.

Chiemi Hanzawa,
Current student

Iowa City is a perfect place for graduate study. It is a city that consistently appears in lists of the best places to live (despite the long winters). The lively downtown area and campus blend together nicely and offer a multitude of restaurants, coffee shops and shops. One of my favorite places to spend time is the public library, ranked number three in the country. You can check out anything from books to CDs; from DVDs to video equipment. Getting around Iowa City is easy with good public transportation, bike trails, sidewalks and affordable parking. The time you save in commuting allows more time to enjoy the wealth of cultural activities, such as concerts, live theater, literary readings, or people-watching in the pedestrian mall.

Elizabeth Deifell,
current student

Iowa City is a very welcoming place because of the hospitality of people you meet here and because it has something to offer to everyone. There are all sorts of social events and student organizations for graduate students and, of course, Iowa City is the place where you can meet famous authors and listen to them read and talk about their work. For those who like music there are opportunities to enjoy all kinds of music from the annual jazz festival to student opera productions. If you like to be physically active the university has recently opened a new recreation center with various equipment, two swimming pools, and a 52 foot climbing wall. I personally like that the university is tightly interconnected with the city, so that when you come to campus you also find yourself right in the middle of the downtown with all its little stores, cafes and restaurants. The city is very green in the summer, but my favorite season is the fall. Iowa City looks beautiful full of sunlight and warm colors. Early fall might be the best time to come to Iowa City for a visit!

Elena Shimanskaya,
current student