Money and opportunity are two compelling reasons for international students to consider Cleveland, Ohio. The cost of living is much lower than in New York or Los Angeles, for instance, and there are plenty of opportunities to work at prestigious internships. In addition, Cleveland State University’s strong programs and connections in business, technology, and health care industries also boost students’ chances of finding a successful start to their careers.
But what about culture?
From vibrant international neighborhoods to championship-caliber sports teams and world-class museums, Cleveland offers students an enriching cultural experience beyond the classroom. Take a closer look at Cleveland State and The Land — what the locals call Cleveland — so you can determine if it’s the right fit for your study abroad destination.
What’s it Like to Study at Cleveland State University for International Students?
Let’s start with the people and the areas of study available at Cleveland State University.
More than 1,400 international students attend Cleveland State; the average student age is 27. They come from a wide array of countries, including Brazil, India, and Vietnam. Approximately one-third of the international students at Cleveland State are enrolled in graduate programs or law school.
There are more than 200 fields of study and 1,000 courses for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as several honors programs and certificate programs.
What Career Opportunities Exist for Cleveland State Students?
From academics to internship experience, there are several global businesses and internationally respected health care and research organizations eager to work with international students. Here are a few places Cleveland State students intern and find work:
The Cleveland Clinic: A health care leader specializing in breakthrough medical treatments and research, this medical center is often among the top-ranked institutions in the world.
Sherwin-Williams: This global paint producer and supplier offers Cleveland State students business, marketing, finance, IT, and supply chain work opportunities.
TransDigm Group: Engineering and business internships are available at this global aircraft component producer.
KeyCorp: This major financial services company is headquartered in Cleveland and offers banking and financial career development opportunities to Cleveland State students.
Cleveland-Cliffs: Engineering and business students may be particularly interested in internships with this major steel producer.
Rocket Mortgage: With a corporate office in Cleveland, Rocket recruits many international students for internships and employment in finance and technology.
“The work here at Rocket Mortgage is really great, working with all the latest tech stacks, getting lots of responsibilities,” said Suman, a Cleveland State alum, now employed as a software engineer. “It aligns exactly with [my] education … I would like to continue here for a long time.”
Campus Location Matters for Cleveland State Students
The Cleveland State University campus is a huge draw for both domestic and international students, primarily because it’s located right in the heart of downtown Cleveland.
In addition to easy access to classes and employment opportunities, several campus-based clubs and organizations are available to help students find a community.
“There were many opportunities to meet people on campus,” said K. Aditya, an electrical engineering grad student from India. “Through [the Indian Student Association and International Friendships, Inc.] I even connected with other students before my arrival in the US.”
Where Do Students Live and What Do They Do for Fun?
Undergraduate international students are guaranteed housing and are required to live in the student apartments for at least the first two semesters. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and get established in Cleveland. After that, undergraduates can search out other off-campus housing options.
Graduate students have the option to live in university-provided apartments or find different accommodations from the start of their studies.
Students who decide to live in university-provided apartments can choose between shared and upgraded apartment options with different amenities. However, all apartments are guaranteed to:
Be within walking distance of campus
Require no housing deposit, co-signer, or federal identification number
Come fully furnished (bed linens, pillow, shower curtain, and kitchen sets are included) and have a kitchen
Include water, sewer, electricity, trash, and WiFi
Cleveland State Global resident assistants on hand to assist with any needs
From Campus to All that Cleveland Offers
From campus, students have easy access to diverse neighborhoods, live professional sporting events, and museums, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But there is so much The Land offers beyond campus. Here are some fun and enriching — not to mention great tasting — reasons international students live here.
5 Things to Do in Cleveland
Cleveland is packed with restaurants, music clubs, shopping, and outdoor activities. Start with these five options:
1. Visit University Circle: This thriving part of town is home to many of Cleveland’s museums, restaurants, and cultural mainstays. Visit the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque — named one of the best movie houses in the United States — or the Severance Music Center, home of the internationally recognized Cleveland Symphony.
2. Experience clubs, concert venues, and nightlife: From the theaters of Detroit Shoreway’s Gordon Square Arts District to The Agora, House of Blues, and many other concert venues across town, there is plenty to do after the sun goes down. For those over the legal age of 21, there are great bars and clubs to explore, such as the Porco Lounge & Tiki Room and Goodnight John Boy — a great place to cut loose to classic dance tunes.
3. Get to the game for less or take a ride on a record-breaking roller coaster: It’s easy to get swept up in the action when you’re in the stands cheering on one of the four professional sports teams in Cleveland: the Guardians (baseball), Browns (American football), Cavaliers (basketball), or Monsters (hockey). Tickets are much cheaper than bigger market teams like the Boston Celtics or the New York Yankees, and many games feature student pricing. If you prefer the thrill of big drops and fast rides, the roller coaster capital of the US, Cedar Point, is only an hour’s drive away.
4. Shop till you drop: If browsing and buying are what you’re looking for, Cleveland has you covered. From the Fifth Street Arcades downtown to the SouthPark and Beachwood Malls, there is a store for everyone.
5. Get in touch with nature: The Cleveland Metroparks consist of 18 reservations and more than 25,000 acres of green space, known as the city’s Emerald Necklace. Students can hike along 325 miles of trails, play golf on one of nine courses, or visit a nationally recognized zoo. There are also several beaches along Lake Erie that students can access on hot days.
What About the Weather in Cleveland?
Not every day is a beach day in Cleveland. The weather can be bitterly cold in the winter and humid and hot in the summer. The wide range of temperatures means international students should be ready for snow (40 inches on average per year), rain, and cold winds off Lake Erie, but also for warm days with high humidity and plenty of sunshine.
Since you experience the full range of temperatures across all four seasons in Cleveland, many international students find it easier and more affordable to purchase their winter gear after they arrive in Cleveland, rather than packing it.
Where Are Good Places to Eat in Cleveland?
If good food is important to you, The Land has you covered. The food scene around town represents every corner of the globe, from Asia to Latin America.
Traditionally known for its connections with Eastern Europe, Cleveland has delicious pierogi and kielbasa, like the Polish Boy Sandwich. This regional specialty combines kielbasa sausage with French fries, barbeque sauce, and coleslaw.
Several other local classics are worth trying, from celebrity chef Michael Symon’s smoked meat joint, Mabel’s BBQ, to Cent’s New York-style pizza. If you are looking for a taste of home or something completely different from the normal Cleveland fare, explore the culturally rich neighborhoods around the city.
Check Out Cleveland’s Multicultural Neighborhoods
From AsiaTown to Little Italy, there are several neighborhoods in Cleveland with thriving cultures, exciting restaurants, and international flair. Here are three of the most popular to visit:
AsiaTown: This neighborhood of businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and resources celebrates the vibrant East Asian community of Cleveland. From banchan to milk tea to karaoke, AsiaTown offers many students a taste of home, especially during the Lunar New Year and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The community website offers three separate day-long itineraries if you are looking for a place to start. Or if you are craving pho on a cold day, or prefer Korean to Cleveland BBQ, here’s a list of five great AsiaTown restaurants.
La Villa Hispana: This neighborhood, also known as Clark-Fulton, offers LatinX and Hispanic businesses, restaurants, and arts. Stop by in warmer months to check out eclectic street markets and weekend festivals.
This neighborhood is also a great place for students on a budget to eat. Start with a pupusa, which costs less than $5, at Cleveland’s best market and food hall for everything Latin American, Centrovilla25.
Little Arabia: This small neighborhood is a gathering place for Middle Eastern American communities. Stop into Assad’s to try their famous pita bread, which is carried in stores across the United States. Assad’s also features imports that offer a taste of home for homesick students. You can also grab a shawarma pita or all the ingredients you need to make your own meze platter from the West Town Village Market.
What Resources Are Available to Support International Students in Cleveland?
Beyond multicultural neighborhoods and great-tasting restaurants, Cleveland has many longstanding community centers and support structures that welcome international students.
For instance, more than 14,000 people identify as Indian in Cleveland. Several organizations, places of worship, and community groups welcome Indian students, from the Federation of India Community Associations (FICA) of Northeast Ohio to the Cleveland Ohio Indian Community (Desi).
Other cultures and demographic groups feel supported in The Land, as well. For example, students from the African diaspora can find a place to connect or volunteer at the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute. If you are an international student looking for a group that represents you, the Cleveland People website is a good place to start.
Find Your International Community Right at Cleveland State University
Many international students never feel the need to leave campus to find a connection. That’s because Cleveland State University makes sure everyone has the resources, advisors, and community they need to be happy and flourish.
At Cleveland State, the support starts before students arrive, with application and admissions advice from Cleveland State Global, a first-year program collaboration between the university and Shorelight. Once students arrive, they have access to all the first-year services they need, including English language learning and career support that continues through graduation and beyond.
“CSU Global helps first-year students get involved on campus, and to smoothly transition from their own home countries to US college life,” said Kate, an accounting and finance student from Vietnam. “I was really shy, but thanks to my role as a Global ambassador, I got to interact more with the students, with workers, with staff.”
If you are looking for an affordable US university with strong academics in several areas and a welcoming community for international students, Cleveland State is a great option.
“[At my old university], I felt like just a number,” said Nick, a Brazilian environmental science major. “Here, I feel like I know all the South American international students, and we did end up getting close, because it’s smaller. I don’t know if I chose Cleveland or if Cleveland chose me.”
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