Activities for Bristol, England

USAC students are encouraged to participate in the hundreds of clubs and societies affiliated with the University of Bristol's Student Union. There are clubs for virtually everything from academic and civic clubs to the Chocolate and Skydiving Societies. The Sports Center and the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences organize a wide range of sporting activities. A sports pass is available for a nominal fee that allows access to the swimming pool, gymnasium/weight room, and other sports facilities. Intervarsity competitions in sports such as volleyball, field hockey, and soccer, and American football are also open to USAC students, as well as a wide range of intramural sports such as tennis, soccer, and ultimate Frisbee.

Most, if not all, study abroad students join at least one society or club and many become involved in community projects or volunteering while they are in Bristol. Others interact in less formal ways through taking part in open mic nights at local pubs or making the most of their time through exploring the area.

You are also encouraged to participate in the opportunities listed below.

Cultural Immersion Opportunities

• See the amazing views at the Bristol Balloon Festival
• Attend Bristol’s Harbors Festival
• Comb through the streets during UpFest—Europe’s Largest Urban Paint Festival
• Explore a maze of unique stalls at bustling St Nicolas’s Indoor Market
• Learn about Bristol’s history at the M Shed Museum
• Find the infamous Banksy graffiti dotted around the city
• Discover independent shops along the historic Christmas Steps
• Enjoy a theatre performance at the Bristol Old Vic
• Step aboard the last Concorde to fly at Aerospace Bristol museum
• Explore mysteries and discoveries at the Old SS Great Britain and at the Redcliffe Caves
• Take a boat trip on the river Avon and enjoy sightseeing from the water
• Discover the green spaces by Clifton Suspension Bridge, Leigh Woods, and Ashton Court
• Admire the city’s historic architecture at Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe
• Experience live music every night of the week at the Old Duke, one of Bristol’s longest running venues
• Enjoy food from around the world at the independent eateries at Wapping Wharf
• Spend an evening dancing on the floating deck of Thekla, an old ship converted into a nightclub
• Cycle the immensely popular Bristol and Bath Railway Path (approximately 13 miles)