English Language Institute

Pittsburgh: "America's Most Livable City"

ELI students at Mt. Washington

There are many reasons Pittsburgh has been named "America's Most Livable City" by both Forbes and The Economist of London

Pittsburgh offers a wonderful combination of 'big city' advantages and choices and 'small town' atmosphere and friendliness. It is a cosmopolitan cultural and business center that is the home of major companies in the fields of manufacturing, banking and software, as well as world-class medical centers, museums, and ten college-level institutions. There's entertainment. There's sports. There's something for everyone!

Pittsburgh's many different neighborhoods give the feeling of life in a small town, as you get to know the local parks, shops and neighbors you meet at the bus stop. Pittsburgh is a place that many international students and visitors call their second home.

Recreational areas for skiing, hiking, camping and boating are within a one or two-hour drive from the University. Pittsburgh is easily accessible by air, rail, bus, and car - it is close enough to visit other major cities during term breaks and on weekends.

A City Everyone is Talking About

Pittsburgh has recently been ranked among top cities in the US for friendliness, best places to live, most cultured cities, most livable cities, and most secure places to live to name just a few.  Read more...

World-Class Museums

Our beautiful city is home to a variety of world-class museums for everyone's interests.  From the world-famous Andy Warhol Museum to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History or any of the other fine museums in Pittsburgh, there's something for everyone.  What's even better is that University of Pittsburgh students get free admission to select museums in the city through the University’s Pitt Arts program.  Read more...

One of the Most Vibrant Cultural Districts in the U.S.

The Cultural District in downtown Pittsburgh features seven world-class theaters and performing arts centers where you can enjoy theater, opera, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, dance, musical theater direct from Broadway, and more!  ELI students are encouraged to take advantage of the University’s Pitt Arts program which offers discounted tickets for performances and cultural events. Read more...

A City of Sports Champions

If you enjoy attending sporting events, Pittsburgh is the city for you. With professional baseball, football, and hockey, and semi-professional soccer, there are sporting events year-round. If that's not enough, professional basketball is just a short drive away. Read more...

Shopping without Sales Tax

There is no sales tax on clothing in the state of Pennsylvania. There are many opportunities for shopping that are accessible from the University of Pittsburgh by bus.  Read more...

A Beautiful City with a High Quality of Life

The landscape in Pittsburgh is breathtaking. In just a short drive, you can go from seeing a variety of architecture and rivers in the center of the city to waterfalls and forests outside of the city. Watch these videos to see for yourself...