Planning Your Arrival
Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit University that was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912. Recognized as an outstanding academic institution, Loyola is listed among the 10 best regional colleges and universities in the southern United States. Loyola enrolls almost 5,000 students from all 50 states and over 48 countries. Degrees are offered in 60 undergraduate fields and 10 graduate and professional programs.
New Orleans: An International City
With its colorful French and Spanish colonial history, New Orleans is a charming international city offering visitors the opportunity to experience the variety of U.S. life. You can explore Louisiana culture and customs from the French Quarter to the old cotton and sugar plantations up river from the city.
New Orleans is famous for its music and festivals, its beautiful architecture, and its great food. The city’s restaurants are famous the world over for their creative cuisine featuring international and Creole styles of cooking. Our fresh, spicy seafood is always a favorite. Jazz, rhythm and blues, and many other kinds of music can be heard everywhere, in clubs and on the street. Festivals, such as Mardi Gras and the Jazz and Heritage Festival, attract visitors from around the world, making New Orleans one of the world’s leading tourist centers and a great place to study.
Location
Loyola's 24-acre campus is located in the beautiful university area of New Orleans, Louisiana. The university area is located in the Uptown section of the city, the perfect area from which to explore New Orleans!
The historic streetcar stops in front of the university and runs downtown and to the world-famous French Quarter in less than 30 minutes, allowing you easy access to most of the city's attractions.
Across from Loyola is Audubon Park shaded by magnificent live oak trees. In the park, you will find recreational facilities such as running and bicycle paths and the city zoo, rated among the best in the United States. Audubon Park borders the banks of the Mississippi River where you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon bicycling, picnicking, or just watching the passing river traffic.
Click here for maps of Loyola and New Orleans
Climate
The climate in New Orleans is semitropical, making it possible to enjoy out-door activities year-round. Fall and spring are often very beautiful with bright, warm days and cool nights. The winter is short; yet, there are times when the temperature drops below freezing. The average winter temperatures range from 40°F (4°C) to 60°F (15°C). The summers are tropically warm and humid with average temperatures of 90°F (30°C) and even warmer, but virtually all facilities are air-conditioned. New Orleans has a high annual rainfall, with most of it falling in late summer.
Most new international students go through “culture shock”. It is neither as shocking nor as sudden as most people expect, but rather simply part of the process of adjusting to a new culture. You have probably already started along this process even if you haven’t left your home country yet.
Visit this page to learn more about adjusting to U.S. culture.
Coming to a new country can be a challenging experience, but with the right preparation it can be exciting and full of opportunities! To assist you with the transition from your home country to Loyola, the Center for International Education requires that all new international students complete the mandatory International Student Orientation.
Visit the International Student Orientation page for more information.