University of Tampa

The University of Tampa, a private university that attracts a lot of international students, has an absolutely incredible architectural gem in the middle of its lovely riverfront campus. The former Tampa Bay Hotel, built by railway magnate Henry B. Plant at the turn of the century, stands with its silver stainless steel minarets reaching to the sky, like a fantasy from a children's book. Make sure you walk to the side of the building that faces Plant Park and the Hillsborough River to see the incredible front porch with its Moorish details that will awe you!

Plant Park, also a part of campus, has a fountain and cute tropical trees. Follow it to the gorgeous stone Kennedy Blvd bridge, that is lit in changing colors at night, and cross over the river to check out the city of Tampa and the happening area around Curtis Hixon Park. You can see the campus from that side of the river along the Tampa Riverwalk and its an incredibly romantic sight at night. People come with light-up hula hoops to the sloping great lawn of Curtis Hixon Park and play here at the river in front of the Tampa Museum of Art with its rainbow lights and seat terraces where people hang out.
For young kids, there is a space age playground thats a ton of fun, plus Glazer Children's Museum with a large attractive splash fountain in front.
Definitely the University of Tampa is in an exciting and beautiful urban environment. Students can enjoy gelato at one of the cute downtown cafes on the other side of the river. Because of its location, the university attracts independent, cosmopolitan students, many very far from home. 50% are from outside Florida (mostly the east coast) and 30% of those are from another country (a hugely varied assortment of countries). This makes for a stimulating social environment. The heavily air-conditioned dorms have a modern European feel; some (Urso Hall) even provide a personal fridge, stove, kitchen sink, and bathroom! 
Students can walk a few blocks from campus to Bayshore Blvd, where there is a 4.5 mile jogging trail on the bay (no shade though). Students can also walk two miles to the SoHo area (S. Howard Ave) to find a strip of cool restaurants. There's also Hyde Park Village and Ybor City to explore, plus Channelside, where the cruise ships dock and the Florida Aquarium is located.
University of Tampa stands out in its journalism program which is rated number one by Associated Press. Tampa has two of the top 30 newspapers in the country, one being the Tampa Bay Times. International Business and Biology are other popular majors. Many of the majors are career-focused.
17 minutes drive west check out the delicious Caribbean restaurant called Bahama Breeze, which has live steel drum music!

Directions

University of Tampa is located at 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa FL 33606, call (813) 253-3333.
Bahama Breeze (17 minute drive west), 3045 N Rocky Point Dr E, Tampa, FL 33607.

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