Study Overseas

It has often been observed that there is something special about Pittsburgh. Building upon a proud history as one of America's great industrial, business and education centers, Pittsburgh continues to keep pace with the changing world. Yet there is much more to Pittsburgh... something special about the people and place that give Pittsburgh its unique character and identity - that of a city of power, energy and spirit.

Settled in the 1700's, Pittsburgh was America's first 'Gateway to the West.' Due to its strategic location - where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers meet to form the Ohio - and abundant natural resources, Pittsburgh pioneered early industrialization in a number of fields, including coal, glass, iron, steel, manufacturing and shipping, which helped to forge the United States into the prosperous nation it is today. Pittsburgh has built upon its industrial heritage to become an internationally recognized leader in such fields as medicine, business and technology. The city not only has a successful track record in attracting and retaining corporations, but is also a home for emerging technologies. Pittsburgh consistently ranks high in surveys of liveable American cities. Safe, attractive and affordable, Pittsburgh is known for the high quality of lifestyle it affords to residents. Located in Western Pennsylvania, the city is within driving distance of a number of other major American attractions, including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. The city is also only a short drive from some of America's most beautiful countryside, with traditional farms and small towns.

Industry and Commerce

What began as an industrial region characterized by coal, steel and manufacturing has changed with the times to develop into one of America's business and technology leaders. The city's entrepreneurial tradition remains strong - in addition to a strong financial community led by such banks as Mellon, PNC and National City, Pittsburgh remains one of the nation's top corporate headquarters. Corporations include those traditionally associated with Pittsburgh's past, such as Alcoa, H.J. Heinz, and USX as well as multi-national ones such as Bayer and Sony Technology. One of America's top twenty markets, Pittsburgh was the site of several notable media firsts. KDKA, the first licensed commercial radio station, went on the air in 1920 and WQED, the nation's first public television station, signed on in 1953.

Education

Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania have a strong tradition of higher education, as witnessed by the 100,000 students enrolled in thirty area colleges and universities. As a result, the area has developed an international reputation as an educational center that continues to grow, most notably in the areas of business, medicine, engineering and information technology. In addition to such leading research institutions as Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania is the home of a number of outstanding liberal arts colleges, many of which are recognized for providing career education within the liberal arts. Awarding both undergraduate and graduate degrees, and with the city of Pittsburgh on the front door, students are just steps away from countless internship opportunities in journalism, government, information technology, business, performing arts and other fields.

Entertainment and Leisure

When it comes to entertainment and leisure, Pittsburgh has something for everyone. Professional companies include the world renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, the Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theatre and the City Theater Company, in addition to touring national companies of Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park College is a landmark, presenting 18 productions a year in dance and theatre. The Playhouse, which showcases the students of Point Park College's Conservatory of the Performing Arts, is the home of the Playhouse Conservatory and the Playhouse Dance Company (both student-run), the Pittsburgh Playhouse Repertory Company, and Playhouse Jr., the children's theatre which has been entertaining young people for more than 50 years.

The variety of outdoor activities which are available throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania includes boating, whitewater rafting, woodland biking, hiking, golf, tennis and skiing, to name but a few. A bike trail fashioned along old railroad lines connecting Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. has been developed through the 'Rails To Trails' program by community leaders and local, state, and federal governments. Festivals are an integral part of city life. Two of the 16st are the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival, a 50-year-old celebration of the arts in downtown Pittsburgh that attracts over 600,000 people, and the Three Rivers Regatta, which draws more than 1,000,000 people to Pittsburgh's Point area for a variety of river activities. Pittsburgh is also the home of a number of notable museums and attractions, including the Carnegie Museums, which include the Andy Warhol Museum; the Pittsburgh Zoo, and the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Professional sports are a major part of the entertainment scene. Pittsburgh boasts two of the oldest professional teams in baseball (Pirates) and football (Steelers), both of whom have long traditions of winning, and have earned World Series and Super Bowl championships. The Pittsburgh Penguins, the city's National Hockey League team, has won several Stanley Cups.

Ethnic and Religious Heritage

Pittsburgh has been a culturally diverse city since its origin in the 1700's. Its earliest settlers were French, English, and Scottish, and the population grew over the next two centuries to include more than 25 ethnic groups. With more than five dozen distinct neighborhoods, Pittsburgh has been called the biggest small town in America. Each year, communities hold a variety of ethnic festivals celebrating these different cultures and their many contributions to Western Pennsylvania. The celebrations range from parish food festivals to the nationally-recognized Pittsburgh Folk Festival.

Pittsburgh also has a strong religious heritage. Its earliest settlers were mostly Protestant, followed by the Catholic and Jewish faiths of the southern and eastern European immigrants who flocked to Western Pennsylvania in the late 1800's. The area's continuing growth as a medical, educational and research center brings new residents and their ethnic and religious heritages to the area. As a result, symbols of faith, which include churches, synagogues, Hindu temples, and a Moslem mosque abound as important parts of the landscape. Pittsburgh is a unique city with a proud past and an exciting future. Something special can be felt and experienced by visitors who come to Pittsburgh, a city with the energy of tomorrow.

Author
Dr. Katherine Henderson
Former President
Point Park College