If your question does not appear below you can contact the Program Director, Iveta Silovaat ism207@lehigh.edu for further assistance.

THE EXPERIENCE

What is the community like in Bethlehem?

Bethlehem is a town of around 80,000 residents about an hour away from Philadelphia and New York City. Lehigh is situated on the South Side of Bethlehem, adjacent to the once-famous Bethlehem steel factory. The historic relics still cut through the short skyline of Bethlehem today. Bethlehem was ranked one of the best places to “live and launch” in 2007 and 2008, and Mayor Callahan recently stated that, “Bethlehem is a safe, if not the safest, place to live in Pennsylvania.”

The community is a mix of ethnicities, classes, and religions. Churches, community centers, public libraries, and restaurants line the streets of South Bethlehem on the perimeter of Lehigh’s Asa Packer campus. Students frequent the ethnic eateries and the infamous Tally Ho bar and grill. Bethlehem is home to Musikfest, which is one of the largest outdoor music festivals in America held every summer, the Christkindlmarkt in December, the famous Bach Festival held every May, and two of the largest Celtic festivals held in the U.S.: the Celtic Classic in September and the Winter Classic in February.

Many opportunities exist for involvement in the Bethlehem community. Please see Lehigh’s community service webpage for more information.

Bethlehem is a wonderful place for students to live. We encourage community participation and exploration.

What is the cost of living in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is a relatively inexpensive area to live. South Bethlehem rental rates average around $400 per month. Single apartments range from $500-700 and rooms in a shared house/apartment range from $250-500. To help find an apartment or room, please search the Lehigh approved listings (Lehigh username and password required).

Does Lehigh offer graduate student housing?
Lehigh does offer graduate student housing; however, the housing is not in South Bethlehem. The College of Education is on Lehigh’s Mountaintop Campus, but students without cars can ride the campus shuttle bus to the Mountaintop Campus. The bus runs between Asa Packer campus and Mountain Top campus, as well as Lehigh campuses and Saucon Village, the location of graduate student housing. Please see the graduate student life student affairs website for more housing information and Lehigh’s website for campus maps.

What resources/services do graduate students have access to?

Graduate students have access to many resources and services at Lehigh. From free transportation around campus and graduate student housing to career services – graduate students have the opportunity to take advantage of Lehigh to the fullest. Please see the Graduate Student Life Office’s website for more information.

Are there many opportunities to meet other graduate students?
The CIE program holds a culminating semester gathering for informal interaction between students, faculty, and staff. BeyondCIE-specific events, which also include the Book Club, the College of Education holds many events such as brownbag lunches and World Cafés that provide opportunities for graduate students from across disciplines to interact. The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) also provides both a space and a series of events that include all graduate students in the College of Education. Moreover, graduate students are encouraged to participate in other Lehigh University events. These events include guest lecturers, Zoellner Arts Center events, and programs organized by Lehigh’s undergraduate population. Events sponsored by the City of Bethlehem such as First Friday also provide an opportunity for graduate students to meet other students and members of the community.