Grady BPC: UGA and Regional Overview
About Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia, where UGA is located, is a lively community known for its walkable downtown area with shops, restaurants and music scene. At any time of year, there is a calendar of events, fairs and musical performances to enjoy.
Athens also has the advantage of being close to many attractions. Most destinations in the Atlanta area (such as World of Coca-Cola, CNN, Georgia Aquarium, etc.) can be reached in about 1.5 hours. Athens is only four hours from Savannah, Ga.; five hours from Charleston, SC, six hours from Myrtle Beach, SC; and eight hours to Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World in Orlando, Fla.
CNN, The New York Times and AirTran Airlines’ GO magazine have listed Athens as a top weekend destination. The National Trust for Historic Preservation describes Athens as one of America’s foremost “distinctive destinations” for its dynamic downtown, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, vibrant performing and visual arts scene, and strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization. Home to popular bands such as R.E.M. and the B52s, Athens was named “#1 College Music Scene in America” by Rolling Stone.
This beautiful and peaceful town with mild climate is also great for families with children. There are 14 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools in the Athens-Clarke County School District. Neighboring Oconee County has four elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools in its school system. There are eight Athens-area private schools. Each summer, UGA offers a selection of children’s camps, as well, from its Academic Academy, to music camps and receational camps.
Multi-Cultural Communities in Atlanta
Seventy miles from Athens is Atlanta, one of the most dynamic multi-cultural cities in the United States. The state of Georgia, especially the metro area of Atlanta, has seen a large population of migrants from other parts of the U.S. and immigrants from various other countries. This flock of people have established Atlanta as the multicultural hub in the South for Asians, Hispanics/Latinos, Europeans and other ethnic groups from around the world. In particular, according to the 2010 Census, Gwinnett County – often referred to as New Korea Town by Atlantans – has seen the Korean population double in the past decade. The draws include Atlanta’s mild climate, non-stop air travels to and from many major cities in the world, inexpensive living cost, and the family-oriented Southern lifestyle.
About the University of Georgia
Founded on January 27, 1785, UGA is the first state-chartered university in America. It is a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities. It is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive and most diversified institution of higher education. Its motto, “to teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things,” reflects the University’s integral and unique role in the conservation and enhancement of the state’s and nation’s intellectual, cultural, and environmental heritage.
The University of Georgia:
- is home of the Peabody Awards, presented annually for excellence in television and radio news, entertainment and children’s programming.
- is home of The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia Museum of Art, and Georgia Museum of Natural History.
- is home of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.
- has one of the largest and most comprehensive public service and outreach programs conducted by an American educational institution.
- ranks 2nd nationally by short-term duration of study abroad.
- ranks 13th among national public research universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Best Colleges edition.
