Will my campus life be better at Columbia University than staying off-campus?

Hi.

Heidelberg University campus life is-

Rich history + beautiful, scenic environment

The university is Germany's the oldest, founded in 1386.

Its campuses are spread across contrasting yet complementary areas:

The “Old Town” (Altstadt) — historic buildings, cobblestone streets, classic European architecture, close to city center life.

The “Neuenheimer Feld” — a modern, science- and medicine-oriented campus with labs, research institutes, hospitals, student housing, and green/recreation spaces. 

Living in a historic university town also means access to a charming city, with nature, river-side walks, nearby forests/hills, easy access to other European cities. 

 Active student community & diverse campus life

The university hosts many clubs/organizations — cultural groups, student fraternities (or “corporations”), social-political groups, arts, music, etc. 

For many students, this leads to a dynamic social life: social gatherings, parties (faculty- or dorm-organized), concerts, meetups, and opportunities to explore interests beyond classes. 

Because there are a lot of students (including many internationals), it tends to be an open, multicultural environment — makes socialising and forming friendships easier.

For students interested in sciences/medicine, the “New Campus” offers excellent labs, libraries, and exposure to high-level research institutions, which can make academic life very fulfilling. 

 Balance between study, city life and nature

You get the “small-town university feel” — short distances between dorms, campus buildings, city centre — which makes commuting, walking or biking easy.

At the same time, the city and surroundings offer outdoorsy escape — rivers, forests, hills, nice walking/hiking — good for students who like a break from academic rigour. 

Public transport and connectivity are good (tram/bus/train) — so even if you don't live in dorms, getting around town or reaching campus is manageable.