International Students

Ideal Location:  Chester & Philadelphia

One of the highlights of Widener University is our location in the City of Chester, a mere 20-minutes drive away from Philadelphia, the fifth biggest city in the U.S.  While it is important to choose a university for small class sizes, quality of education, and other similar considerations, location is one factor that is truly going to affect your university experience.

Location can determine what kind of fun you have – are there places to visit, are there things to do, is it easy to find the fun.

Location can determine what kind of people you meet – are there a lot of people around, is the area diverse, are there people from your home country nearby, are there new people to meet.

Location can determine what kind of opportunities you have – is there industry nearby, are there places to gain experience, how will that experience look on a résumé compared to someone else.

Location can determine how you grow and change – have you learned to navigate a city of 1.6 million people, have your worked for a Fortune 500 company, have you eaten a cheesesteak on the way to see an opera, have you taken your picture in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C. to show your family and friends back home.

Widener’s metropolitan location offers you both the calm and comfort of a suburban campus and the excitement, fun, and opportunity of a city campus.  All the while our location is perfect for exploring the other major cities on the East coast of the U.S.  Click on the links below to find out more about Chester and Philadelphia and how location can mean so much to you.

Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University’s scenic 110-acre campus is located on the outskirts of the City of Chester, Pennsylvania’s oldest city.  Chester is a small city, but is filled with many opportunities for our students to work, gain experience, and dedicate themselves to community service.  Some of the companies and organizations located in Chester, where Widener student regularly go to gain experience, include:

• Kimberly-Clark
• Crozer Chester Medical Center
• Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack
• Wells Fargo Financial
• PQ Corporation
• Synygy

Furthermore, Chester will be the new home to a new Major League Soccer team that will include a new stadium, shopping area, and entertainment complex coming as soon as 2010.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Widener is only a 20-minute drive into “Center City” Philadelphia, the most bustling section of the fifth largest city in the United States.  Being so close to a major U.S. city offers you the opportunity for fun, shopping, arts, culture, dining, sports, history, work experience, and so much more.
Here are some facts about Philadelphia that you should know:

• In 2006, Philadelphia had the sixth largest international student enrollment as a city, acting as home to over 12,500 international students (IIE Open Doors Report).
• With 1.6 million residents, Philadelphia is the fifth biggest city and the fourth biggest media market in the U.S.
• Also known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia is one of the most historic cities in the U.S.  Visit the Liberty Bell (about 20 minutes from campus) as your first step into exploring U.S. history.
• As a city, Philadelphia is a diverse international community where there are opportunities to celebrate the cultures of the world.  Visit www.philadelphiamac.org for some examples.
• Philadelphia is not only home to “Rocky,” but also to the oldest medical school and the oldest zoo in the U.S.  You can climb the stairs or see the animals a short drive from campus.
  

To learn more about Philadelphia, you should visit these helpful websites:

• www.gophila.com – This is the primary website for visitor information about Philadelphia and includes information on things to do, events, and tours.
• www.onebigcampus.com – A website built specifically for international students thinking about studying in the Philadelphia area.
• www.phillyfunguide.com – This site offers great listings of all the events and “stuff” going on throughout the city.
• www.independencevisitorcenter.com – The perfect site to learn about sightseeing and events around Philadelphia.
•  www.philly.com – Offers news from Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Widener is close to Philadelphia, but campus is located a mere 11 kilometers (seven miles) away from Philadelphia International Airport, the main airport you will be using to travel to-and-from school.
After you explore Philadelphia, it will be time for you to explore more of the United States.  Widener is also conveniently located about 2 hours away from both New York City (177 km/110 mi North) and Washington, D.C. (201 km/125 mi South).

Erick Hyde
Coordinator of International Admissions
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
tel: 1-888-WIDENER
fax: 610-499-4676
eshyde@widener.edu