Where Could You Go?Eugene, Oregon

We place students in communities big and small throughout the U.S., mostly in places you’ve never heard of, but they all provide a unique American experience unlike any other!

However, we do have pockets of the country that are common spots for our students to spend their program. So we wanted to give you an inside scoop into communities many of our students have called “home” for years! Make sure to check out the other communities on our blog’s homepage.

Eugene, Oregon

The Basics

Nestled in the Willamette Valley, about 50 miles from the Pacific coast, sits Eugene, Oregon. Famous for being the home of the University of Oregon Ducks and the Nike corporations beginnings, Eugene is also known for its natural beauty, endless recreational opportunities, and love of the arts.

Eugene’s population is 160,561, making it the second most populous city in the state. Like most of the Pacific Northwest, Eugene has warm summers and mild, wet winters.

The Sights

Go see the raptors! No, not the Jurassic Park kind. These raptors have feathers! The Cascades Raptor Center is home to over 50 native birds of prey, such as eagles, owls, and falcons.

In the running spirit? Head out on one of Eugene’s many, many jogging trails or take in a track meet at Hayward Field and learn why this city’s nickname is Track Town, USA.

Looking for something a little more refined? Head to the University of Oregon’s campus to visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art to see an extensive collection of American, European, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese works, all in a building without windows! (It protects the pieces from sun damage.)

The Funs

There seems to always be something going on in Eugene thanks to the thriving arts community and all of the wonderful parks. One popular weekly event is the Saturday Market. From locally grown and international food to live music to crafts from local artisans, the first Saturday Market in the nation has been going strong, rain or shine, for over 45 years.

Once you’ve gotten your hands on some organic goodness at the market, head on over to the “Autzen Zoo“, where the University of Oregon football team plays its home games, to experience American football among some of the nation’s craziest fans. Why is the stadium referred to as a zoo? Ducks fans get loud, despite relatively small crowd sizes by college standards (official capacity is 54,000).

The Foods

There are no shortage of great spots to eat in Eugene, but one of the more popular and highest-rated on Yelp is Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen, where you’ll find some good ol’ American BBQ. Looking for some classic Pacific Northwestern vegan cuisine? Check out Cornbread Cafe. Eugene is also home to some great food truck options.

Eugene is definitely one of the more unique and naturally beautiful host communities where we send students. As long as you’re not afraid of a little rain, Eugene is a great place to experience America!