Life in Madison

As Wisconsin’s capital, Madison (pop. 280,000) is a political and cultural hub of the Midwest. Regularly named among the nation’s best places to live, Madison offers many comforts. Every afternoon and evening, crowds fill the lakeside Memorial Union Terrace, carrying on the Biergarten tradition of the city’s early German immigrants. At night, residents enjoy a vibrant music scene as well as the programming of the Overture Center, home to the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Madison Opera and host to national acts and Broadway touring performances. Every Saturday, shoppers flood the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. Madison’s lakes, multi-use trails, and parks are beautiful spaces for all-season leisure including walking, running, fishing, ice-fishing, skating, swimming, and boating. Follow the campus Lakeshore Path, explore the Lake Wingra Loop Story Map, and learn about the Indigenous landscape markers on campus through projects like Mapping Teejop. People who prefer to be indoors (especially in winter) will enjoy the Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the restaurants and shops at Garver Feed Mill, and the Madison Public Market.

Housing

Graduate students are eligible to apply for the UW-owned rental apartments at Eagle Heights and Harvey Street, which are especially popular with international students and/or students with young families. Many of our students live off campus in apartments or houses that they find on the University’s Off-Campus Housing Forum. The neighborhoods with the highest concentration of graduate students are labeled on this map as Marquette, Tenney-Lapham, Emerson East, Schenk-Atwood, Vilas, Greenbush, and Bay Creek.

Transportation

It is not necessary to own a car when living in Madison. All graduate students are issued free bus passes, which provide year-round unlimited use of the city’s extensive and reliable Metro System. Much of the city is easily navigable by foot, and many of our graduate students join the large number of residents who commute by bicycle. Madison B-Cycle offers student discounts and makes it easy to get around in fall, spring, and summer without having to buy a bicycle.

Regional connections to Milwaukee and Minneapolis are provided by Badger Bus and to Chicago and Minneapolis by Van Galder Bus Company.

The Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is just five miles from campus and very flier-friendly. However, cheaper fares are usually available at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) or Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) airports.

International Students

The History Department is proud to attract students from six continents. Students from outside the United States constitute more than 30% of our graduate population. Campus administrative support for international students is coordinated through International Student Services.

Parenting Resources

Students with young children routinely enter our program, and it is not uncommon for others to become parents while earning their degree. The University offers a range of services for parents through the Office of Childcare and Family Resources, including subsidized daycare and limited, though free, in-home childcare.