Aerial view of the MIT Sloan’s Cambridge campus with Boston in the background (Courtesy: Above Summit/MIT Sloan)

Cambridge (US): “Cambridge is a melting pot of ideas, culture, and innovation, where students, researchers, and professionals from finance, healthcare, biotech, and entrepreneurship cross paths daily. It’s a city that challenges you intellectually, surprises you with its diversity, and invites you to explore its historic charm and modern energy.

Some of my favorite moments were spent by the Charles River, walking along its paths, sailing on a crisp afternoon, or simply gazing out from our building at the skyline. At MIT, a dedicated sun-watching spot offers a peaceful retreat—perfect for soaking up the sun, reflecting, and taking in Cambridge’s serene beauty amidst its vibrant energy.

Cambridge is more than just a place to study. It’s a city that pulls you in, pushes you forward, and makes you feel part of something bigger. Whether through a thought-provoking conversation with a stranger, a spontaneous cultural festival, or the quiet inspiration of its historic streets, this city leaves a mark on everyone who comes here.”
Toritse David Maroh, MIT (Sloan)

“What I love most about Cambridge is that it really feels like a hub of innovation. The big buildings are owned by big software and biotech companies, and there are plenty of resources for smaller companies trying to grow. There are unique places to secure lab and office space, and the whole area feels like it’s designed to support innovative businesses. There are different industry conferences of all sizes seemingly every day, and there is a lot of intellectual star power walking around the streets. You feel like you’re living in the hub of technological advancement.”
David Brown, MIT (Sloan)

Cambridge (UK): “I love Cambridge’s unique blend of history and innovation. Walking past centuries-old colleges while discussing cutting-edge AI technology always reminds me of the timeless power of knowledge and curiosity. A good place to live and study, mixed with vibrance and peace.”
Seki (Ziyao) Guan, Cambridge Judge Business School

“Cambridge is a magical place for many reasons. First, the entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem here is thriving – every day there are amazing guest speakers and events that have helped me grow as a future entrepreneur. You will not only meet some of the most influential leaders in business, but you will also learn about a variety of topics ranging from Biotech to ClimaTech.

Second, Cambridge is an architectural masterpiece. It gathers both the charm of the British countryside with vast green spaces, while also being a dynamic student city that is always buzzing with fun events. Having the River Cam on the doorstep is also fantastic because we get to go punting!”
Rémy El Youssef, Cambridge Judge Business School

Kenan-Flagler case competition with Ramses in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill: “What I love most about Chapel Hill is how effortlessly it blends small-town charm with big energy. It’s a place where you can grab a quiet coffee and a book at Epilogue, but also celebrate a Tar Heels’ win on Franklin Street like it’s the biggest night of the year. The town has this welcoming, laid-back vibe that makes you feel at home the moment you arrive.

The food scene? Evolving and surprisingly amazing for a college town. But what truly makes Chapel Hill special is the people. There’s a warmth and friendliness here that’s hard to describe, whether it’s chatting with a local business owner, bumping into professors at a coffee shop, or just walking around campus and seeing familiar faces. It’s a town where community matters, and that sense of connection is what I’ll miss most.

Chapel Hill isn’t just the backdrop for my MBA—it’s the first place I truly settled in and called home in the United States, making it feel like a second home in every sense. No matter where life takes me, a part of me will always be a Tar Heel.”
Bhumika Agarwal, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)

Charlottesville: “Charlottesville perfectly blends natural beauty with a vibrant community. There’s so much to enjoy – great food, local vineyards and breweries, stunning hiking trails and walking paths. It’s a place that feels both accessible and special, with the convenience of being close to a major city but still remote enough to maintain a unique, small-town charm. I’m definitely biased since I even got married here, but it’s truly a wonderful place to live during school.”
Amanda Golden, University of Virginia (Darden)

“What I love most about Charlottesville is how it seamlessly caters to both city dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are unique restaurants and local spots for foodies, concerts, and frequent festive events; yet at the same time, nature lovers can enjoy the nearby Rivanna Trail, a 26-mile loop around the perimeter of our city, the Shenandoah Mountains, climbing, and more! With breweries, bike shops, speakeasies, and even skiing, Charlottesville provides a perfect balance of urban excitement and outdoor adventure. It’s a place that truly offers something for everyone.”
Jill Howland, University of Virginia (Darden)  

Bicyclists along the lakeshore in Chicago

Chicago: “I love that as a Boothie living in downtown Chicago, I am steps away from a world-class arts scene that I can enjoy with classmates and visiting friends. During the MBA, I’ve taken the Chicago Architecture boat tour (a tourist attraction that is every bit worth the hype) twice, seen a handful of performances at the Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Symphony, taken an improv class at Second City, and strolled through the Art Institute on a weekday evening. Booth plays its own role in the city’s art scene as home to one of the largest modern art collections in Chicago. The Harper Center Art Tour – led by Booth Prof. Canice Prendergast, an economist who also curates the Booth art collection – was one of the highlights of my MBA experience.”
Yana Kaplun, University of Chicago (Booth)

“I think Booth gets the best of both worlds. There is a beautiful campus with ivy-covered buildings in Hyde Park featuring libraries straight out of Hogwarts for when it’s time to hit the books. At the same time, there is a downtown playground in Chicago for when we want to explore industry and bond with classmates. The large majority of Booth students live in about a two to three-block radius in downtown Chicago, which makes on-the-fly hangouts a breeze. My favorite part of the city is definitely Lake Michigan, which I love to look at from the windows of my apartment. In the times when I need to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of both the MBA and the city itself, looking at the lake gives me the little moment of Zen that I need to recenter before tackling my next project.”
Ilana Habib, University of Chicago (Booth)

College Station: “Texas A&M University is located in Bryan – College Station. Although these two towns have merged geographically over the years, they continue to bear their own names and separate identities.

College Station is a high-energy college town full of the hustle and bustle of students. It has grown exponentially over recent years, bringing in many large chain stores and restaurants. On the other hand, Bryan is a quaint, quiet town full of “mom and pop” stores and butcher shops, which I find charming. On the first Friday of every month, Bryan’s small-town square shuts down for a large farmer’s market. It is always the perfect Friday, where you can see the work of generations as families come together to sell produce, pottery, and even Nana’s Banana Bread. I loved this part of Texas A&M and the culture that each town and University embodies.”
Jordan Work, Texas A&M (Mays)

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus: “Columbus is the largest small town in the world. For a city of almost one million people, it isn’t very crowded, and it is easier than you would expect to find mutual connections wherever you go. It flies under the radar pretty well. There is much more opportunity than meets the eye, with a larger-than-expected corporate presence with giants like JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance, or Cardinal Health, significant investments from Intel and Anduril, and a nascent tech sector.
Kyle Schembechler, Ohio State (Fisher)

Davis: “[I love] how bikeable and community focused it is! The town has a series of bike paths that connect the campus, downtown, and the outer neighborhoods in a way that makes it incredibly safe and easy to get around without ever having to use a car. This is unique in the U.S. (and Davis is home to the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame!) The farmer’s market is a staple of the town, with the community coming together every Saturday and Wednesday. Located in the heart of California agriculture land, the farmer’s market is full of healthy and delicious options.”
Jack Schaufler, UC Davis

“What I love most about Davis is its unique balance of economy and nature. It is a quiet, beautiful, and safe college town enriched by diversity. You can find a vibrant food scene with both local gems and international cuisine. Davis is also a city devoted to sustainability and outdoor activities, where biking is a primary mode of transportation and annual marathons, and many other outdoor events bring the community together. Its proximity to San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, the world’s global hub for startups and tech, offers access to innovation and networking, while being close to Lake Tahoe provides an escape into stunning natural landscapes and world-class recreation like skiing, hiking, biking, and even mountain beaches.”
Minhua Zhu, UC Davis

Durham: “I love how Durham’s small college-town feel fosters a close-knit community. With many of us living on 9th Street, it’s easy to connect—most social events happen at a friend’s apartment, making relationships even stronger. The city’s tight-knit nature brings us closer, and we enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, a vibrant nightlife, and amazing food spots. One of my favorites is Szechuan Mansion Hotpot, a go-to for great meals with friends.”
Fern Imjairach, Duke University (Fuqua)

Hanover: “I love how seamlessly nature integrates into daily life in Hanover. Tuck’s campus is truly nestled in the middle of the woods and mountains, providing access to incredible trail systems, a beautiful river, and scenic cycling routes right outside our doorstep. Whether I’m running through Pine Park with my golden retriever puppy, swimming in the Connecticut River, or setting out on a long bike ride through the surrounding rolling hills, the outdoors here offer a perfect balance to the demands of an MBA. In the midst of busy days, the ability to immerse myself in this beautiful natural setting and reflect has been one of the most grounding and rejuvenating parts of my experience.”
Jordan Swett, Dartmouth College (Tuck)

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School with Hong Kong in the background

Hong Kong: “Hong Kong is a paradise for foodies like me, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences from world-class Michelin-starred restaurants to bustling street food markets. I also love shopping so as a known shopping mecca, Hong Kong boasts everything from luxury boutiques and high-end malls to vibrant street markets like my local Wan Chai or Temple Street Night Market. The city is well-connected with an efficient and extensive public transportation system, making it so convenient that I don’t need a car! That said, I do miss driving. Despite its urban density, Hong Kong offers stunning natural landscapes, including beautiful beaches, hiking trails like the Dragon’s Back, and serene country parks. I am genuinely surprised by the diversity of the natural landscape which caught me by surprise!”
Anu Hodge, Hong Kong University

Houston: “Houston is a massive city, but being located at Rice made everything much more convenient. Its central location helped me avoid much of Houston’s crazy traffic, and I could easily attend events like Astros and Texans games, the rodeo, and even monster truck shows. Additionally, with free student admission to Rice sporting events, my family and I enjoyed several basketball and baseball games — spending the majority of our time at the bounce house station or in the face painting line.”
Kyle Zarosky, Rice University (Jones)

Irvine: “It provides access to so many thriving industries, including but not limited to Healthcare, Tech, CPG, Distribution, Pharma, Media and Entertainment, Finance, Asset Management, and Real Estate. It also holds so many Corporate Headquarters, like Broadcom, Edwards Lifesciences, Masimo, Corelogic, Chipotle, and Alteryx. On the side note, access to California’s most beautiful Pacific Coast is another reason to love this town. We often gather at Corona Del Mar to enjoy sunsets and spend some relaxing time outside of the classroom.”
Paaras Saxena, UC Irvine (Merage)

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