Austin

Country Profile

United States of America

Official name: United States of America
Capital: Washington D.C.
Country Population: 312,445,000; Austin Population: 797,390
Nationality: American
Ethnic Groups: White 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61%
Religion: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4%
Languages: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%
Government: Constitution-based federal republic
Local Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Bordering Countries: Mexico and Canada
Size: Third largest country by size and by population

Map of Austin, Texas, USA

Entertainment

Austin is the capital of Texas and is the fourth largest city in the state. It is situated on the banks of the Colorado River and has emerged as a major commercial and technological center which is home to many hi-tech and Fortune 1000 companies. Austin holds the honor of being the greenest city in America and is considered as one of the best places to live in the United States.

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin, Texas

Completed in 1888, the pink granite Texas State Capitol stands 302 feet high and is 14 feet higher than our nation's capitol. Guided tours are offered weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 12-3:30 p.m. Free admission. 512-463-0063
Relive the pages of Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Interactive exhibits, artifacts, an IMAX Theatre and the multi-sensory Texas Spirit Theatre bring the myth, legend and fact of Texas all together under one roof. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 12-6 p.m. 512-936-8746
The University of Texas is home to the Blanton Museum of Art, recognized for its European paintings and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. 512-471-7324
Enjoy the spectacle of the Congress Avenue bats, the largest urban bat colony in North America, as 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats depart nightly at sunset, April through October, from beneath the bridge. 512-327-9721
See the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, where planting areas, wildflower meadows, exhibits and observation tower pay homage to Lady Bird’s devotion to native landscaping and preservation. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5:30 p.m. 512-232-0100
Visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum to see copious volumes of presidential papers, a scale replica of the Oval Office during his presidency, and a First Lady's Gallery devoted to the work of Lady Bird Johnson. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission and parking. 512-721-0200
Swim in the constant 68-degree waters of Barton Springs Pool, an artesian spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park. Open daily 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nominal admission charge. 512-476-9044
Take in all the sights on The University of Texas campus, one of the largest public universities in the nation. Tours are available of the UT Tower by reservation only. 512-475-6633
The heart of Austin is found along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, a 10.1-mile path bordering the lake on its flow through downtown. 512-974-6700
Head to South Congress Avenue to discover eclectic shops, trendy restaurants, unique accommodations and popular music venues. On the first Thursday of each month, merchants keep their doors open until 10 p.m., playing host to an array of events and activities.

Travel

San Antonio (90 miles from Austin)
San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the United States and the 2nd largest within the state of Texas with a population of 1.33 million. It has just about any attraction or activity that you could want, from historical sights, nightlife and authentic culture to pro sports and modern theme parks.

The Missions & Alamo
San Antonio began as a community of five Spanish colonial missions built along the spring-fed San Antonio River. Today, all five missions are open to the public, including the Alamo. Also stop by the Espada Acequia at Mission Espada—this irrigation system is one of the oldest of its kind and was originally constructed to irrigate the mission’s surrounding farmlands. For easy access from mission to mission, San Antonio’s 12-mile Mission Trail is perfect and welcomes hiking and biking.
The Riverwalk
Looking for a riverside oasis to indulge in cultural beauty, shaded parks and the sounds of lapping waves? Escape to San Antonio’s famed River Walk. This crossroads of culture and commerce offers meandering pathways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the city proper.
Linger in La Villita
Along the banks of the River Walk, you’ll find La Villita “the little village.” Originally established by Spanish soldiers stationed at the Alamo, La Villita has been reincarnated as a historic arts village where beautifully restored residences house galleries and shops full of interesting sights. You might even catch a performance at La Villita’s outdoor Arneson River Theatre.
San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art is housed in a castle-like building that was formerly the Lone Star Brewery. This museum is noted for its antiquities collections and the 30,000 square-foot Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art—the largest repository of its kind.
Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is San Antonio's premiere museum of South Texas history, culture and natural science. Located on the banks of the San Antonio River, the Witte offers permanent exhibits that include dinosaur skeletons, cave drawings, wildlife dioramas and even several historic homes.

Houston (165 miles/266km from Austin)
Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas, and the fourth-largest city in the United States. Rated as a global city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits.

The Galleria Houston
Texas’s largest mall, is an upscale shopping mall centrally located just outside the 610 loop in Houston’s Uptown District. The retail center is anchored by Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, and occupies such high-end tenants as Tiffany and Co., Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent. The mall is also home to two separate Westin hotels.
Johnson Space Center
Johnson Space CenterThe Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, home of the NASA astronaut corps, is located in Southeast Houston. The center spans 1,620 acres and consists of 100 facilities. Tourists can experience a simulation of a zero-gravity environment in the Living in Space exhibit or encounter a virtual rocket launch complete with exhaust at the Blast Off Theater.
Houston Zoo
Houston ZooSheltering over 4,500 animals and 900 species, The Houston Zoo is the 7th most visited zoo in the nation. Spend the day strolling through the facility’s beautifully landscaped grounds or enjoy a more hands-on encounter by scheduling a guided tour. Tour experiences range from feeding a lion cub to shadowing a staff veterinarian for an entire day.
Museum District
Museum DistrictThe Houston Museum District refers to the collection of museums, galleries, and cultural centers located within a 1.5 mile radius of Herman Park. The Museum of Fine Arts which also houses the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, boasts a collection of over 56,000 pieces. Just a few blocks away is the John P. McGovern Health Museum which is home to Houston’s first and only 4D theater. Other area attractions include the Holocaust Museum, Houston Center for Photography, and the Lawndale Art Center.

Dallas (200 miles/321km)
The ninth-largest city and part of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the nation, Dallas covers approximately 343 square miles and has a population of 1,299,543. The ultra modern and sophisticated city attracts worldwide travelers, making the area the No. 1 visitor and leisure destination in Texas.

Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza
This museum is definitely the place for the visitor to explore who is interested in the events leading to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This museum is located in the Texas School Book Depository, which is the location where supposedly Lee Harvey Oswald shot the President. In this museum, the visitor will have the opportunity to watch a moving overview of this tragic event as well as the life and accomplishments of President Kennedy. Visitors here will have the opportunity to look out of the windows of the museum toward Dealy Plaza to have an idea of just how the shooting could have taken place.
The Dallas Museum of Art
The museum located in the Arts District, has permanent collections such as "Ten Treasures", which highlights the museum's key interests, as well as the private collection of Wendy and Emery Reves Collection. This art museum also has many temporary exhibits on display at any given time. There is also a restaurant and café as well as a gift shop located here. This is definitely a place to visit if art is an interest.
Dallas Zoo
This zoo is over 100 years old and consists of 95 acres of exotic and traditional zoo animals, from chimpanzees and gorillas to an aviary exhibit and from a reptile building to a children's zoo. There is also a 20-minute monorail ride that runs throughout the zoo.
Greenville Avenue
This location is the place to visit for nightlife in Dallas with its shops, restaurants and clubs.

Transportation

Buses – Using the bus is a common mode of transportation. For Capitol Metro, bus routes run until around 11 p.m. Visit http://www.capmetro.org/planner/ to easily plan bus routes. The University of Texas also has shuttles in which you can use for free with your UT ID. The Eating and Entertainment bus (the E-Bus) is a late night bus that services UT and other areas to and from downtown Austin. This bus runs Thursday – Saturday 8:30 p.m. – 3:30 a.m.

Taxis – Taxis are a more expensive mode of transportation in Austin but very accessible. Call American Yellow Cabs at 512-452-9999 for a cab to pick you up whenever and wherever you want.

Bicycling – Many people love to bike around campus because the streets are very bicycle-friendly. To rent a bike for your visit in Austin, go to http://www.universitycyclery.com/.

Dorms

Dobie Center

Dobie is conveniently located across the street from the University. Less than a 5 minute walk to the McCombs School of Business, Dobie is the perfect place to rest, relax, and refuel during the intense program. Dobie staff are highly trained and will exceed your expectations.

Dobie is Austin's largest private student housing property, standing 27 stories tall and housing over 900 students, with sweeping views in all directions. To learn more about the summer accomondations visit: http://www.dobiecenter.com/

International program participants will reside at Dobie Center where they will share rooms with other proram participants and be served breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Dobie Cafeteria daily. UT students, may for an additional fee, be housed at Dobie during the program.

Dobie Address:
2021 Guadalupe
Austin, TX 78705

Tips from Past Participants

Go on all the CIBER organized excursions - they are free and fun. I especially liked going to Greune, it's a lot of fun and we got to see a small, country town as opposed to the city (Austin)!
Texas is hot, like really, really hot in the summer, bring summer clothes and a bathing suit for swimming at Barton Springs and the pool at Dobie.
The program in general takes up most of your day, so try not to schedule anything from 9:00-5:00 Monday-Thursday.
I really recommend making a trip to San Antonio for the weekend. San Antonio, home of the Alamo, is only an hour and a half away and it is good to see another Texas city.
Do not procrastinate the quarterly decisions in Marketplace!!!
UT has lots to offer - museums, exhibits, athletics, etc. Take advantage of the time you have over the summer to explore UT. You will be surprised at all the affordable, fun opportunities there are on the campus.
Join the Facebook group - BBA Global at UT Austin - to get suggestions, see photos, and stay in touch with each other before, during, and after the program.
Bring electricity converters so you can use your laptops, hair dryers, mp3 players, etc.
The business school gets cold inside during the summer, bring a sweater or sweatshirt to stay warm!
The Drag (Guadalupe Street) has lots of fun places to eat and little shops to buy souvenirs. CVS (also on the Drag) is a pharmacy and sells other incidentals you might need while you are here.
If you want to get Texas-theme souvenirs, go the the Gift Shop inside the Texas Capitol (you can walk to the Capitol from UT in about 10 minutes). If you want to get cowboy boots or a hat, take a taxi to the shops on South Congress Ave.