8 The Heart of Indiana

Indiana is located in the midwest and is commonly referred to as the Crossroads of America!

We are known for the Indy 500, raising corn, and our friendly, laid-back demeanor. Both citizens of the state of Indiana and students at IU are called “Hoosiers”–no one knows where the name came from, but we all love being a part of the tradition.

Bloomington is located in Southern Indiana and is 760 feet (232 meters) above sea level. The average daytime temperature is 37° F (2.7° C) during winter and 88° F (31.1° C) in the summer. We experience all four seasons and get an average of 40 inches (101.6 cm) of precipitation each year. The spring brings beautiful flowers, fall is known for colorful leaves, and you’ll likely see plenty of snow in the winter.

Indiana University is the heart of Bloomington, Indiana. The town’s 80,000 citizens welcome international students and celebrate the diversity of the community with many cultural, musical, recreational, and sporting events. The Little 500 is the largest collegiate bicycle race in the United States, and our students have fun participating in the excitement of many Little 500 events. IU football and basketball are very popular, and at times they virtually take over the city.

During the warmer months of the year, Bloomington hosts several farmers markets on Saturdays with fresh local food, art, and live music. Each fall, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival honors the beauty and joy of music and art from cultures around the world. There are always interesting and fun activities going on around town, so get out and explore your new home!

IU’s Bloomington campus has been ranked in the top fifteen most beautiful campuses in the country. Its 46,000 students and more than 7,500 faculty and staff make it a community in its own right. And all of them welcome you!