Founded in 1729, Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city, has played a significant role in US history, particularly with black history, including the abolitionist movement and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. Nicknamed “Charm City,” Baltimore is well known for its welcoming and inclusive culture, making it an ideal place for international students to feel at home while studying abroad.
Let’s take a closer look at where to find different cultures in the city and surrounding suburbs.
Baltimore’s International Neighborhoods & Enclaves
Thanks to its rich history, Baltimore is home to people from around the world. International students feeling homesick won’t have to go too far to find the familiar smells, sounds, and tastes of home.
While downtown Baltimore may have several neighborhoods that are considered culturally significant, such as the Black Arts and Entertainment District along Pennsylvania Avenue, Little Italy, and (unofficial) Little Korea, the city has cultural offerings on almost every street, represented in its many regional restaurants, markets, shops, and community centers.
Thankfully, the city offers a well-connected public transport system, which includes buses and light rail, making it easy to explore the various neighborhoods or spots that may remind students of home. Washington, DC is also located just 40 miles from Baltimore, about 30 minutes by train or 45 minutes by bus, which offers even more opportunities for international students to find community.
Where to Find Chinese Culture in Baltimore
Many Chinese immigrants came to Baltimore in the late 19th century, after the transcontinental railroad was complete. A community was established along Marion Street — considered the original Chinatown — but soon so many Chinese-owned restaurants and laundries opened along Park Avenue that it became what is known as Chinatown today. Most of the community moved to other areas after WWII, but a few businesses still remain within the historic Chinatown area.
Chinese culture, however, can still be found throughout the city in authentic eateries, grocers, shops, and festivals. Northwest of downtown, the suburb of Pikesville boasts a plethora of Chinese-owned businesses and makes a great place to start for an international student searching for the flavors of home. Washington, DC’s Chinatown is also worth a visit to celebrate a festival or grab a bite of regional cuisine. For those wishing to worship in Baltimore, the Chinese Christian Church offers services in English and Mandarin.
Chinese Restaurants in Baltimore
Chinese Markets in Baltimore
Where to Find Latinx Culture in Baltimore
The Latinx community in Baltimore has quadrupled in size since 1980. Immigrants from all over Latin America — Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Guatemalan, Honduran, Mexican, Peruvian, Puerto Rican, and Salvadoran — currently call Baltimore home and celebrate their culture in a multitude of ways throughout the city.
A large Latinx community can be found in Highlandtown, where international students can feel at home among the sounds of bustling hole-in-wall taquerias, scents of strong coffee and sweet alfajores, and sights of brightly painted murals. The neighborhood’s 10-block Main Street — running along Southeast Baltimore’s Eastern Avenue from Ellwood Street to Haven Street — is lined with shops, grocers, art galleries, and eateries, while the nearby Patterson Park hosts many cultural events. For those wishing to worship, many religious gatherings are offered in both English and Spanish.
Latinx Restaurants in Baltimore
Latinx Markets in Baltimore
Lorena Latino Market
Mercado Cinco De Mayo
Where to Find Indian Culture in Baltimore
Though the Indian community in downtown Baltimore may not be as concentrated as in the surrounding suburbs, international students can still find reminders of home peppered across the city in regional restaurants and cultural festivals.
Just outside of the city, Howard County, including Ellicott City and Columbia, is home to a large Indian population, which is reflected in the variety of Indian-owned businesses in the area. The Indian Cultural Association of Howard County offers insight into the community and may be a great place to start when looking for reminders of home. The suburbs of Glen Burnie and Towson have also seen a rise in Indian residents and stores in recent years and may be worth further exploration. There are several places to worship, including Shiva Murugan Temple, Maharashtra Mandal of Baltimore, and the Hindu Temple of Maryland.
Indian Restaurants in Baltimore
Indian Markets in Baltimore
Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meat
Where to Find Southeast Asian Culture in Baltimore
Baltimore boasts a diverse Asian population, which can be seen in the Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and other cuisines among the city’s restaurants. Many events and festivals take place each year that celebrate different Asian cultures, and international students can find the flavors of home without having to go too far.
While the Charles North neighborhood is considered Baltimore’s first unofficial “Little Korea” — and many Korean-owned businesses can still be found there today — Ellicott City is home to what was officially recognized as Mayland’s Koreatown in 2021. The five-mile area is designated by two Hanok, traditional Korean palace-style signs, on the Baltimore National Pike. International students will find a variety of Korean-owned shops, eateries, bakeries, spas, and beauty salons that may help cure any homesickness. The area goes beyond Korea, however, and many other Asian cultures are represented in their regional cuisines and goods available for purchase.
For those who wish to worship, there are many churches throughout the city that welcome Asian cultures, including Holy Korean Martyrs Catholic Church, the Kadampa Meditation Center Maryland, and Korean Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, among others.
Southeast Asian Restaurants in Baltimore
Southeast Asian Markets in Baltimore
Myanmar Asian Market
Tessa and Sons Philippine Market
Baltimore’s International Events and Festivals
International students can celebrate their culture, as well as many others, at Baltimore’s numerous events, festivals, and celebrations that take place throughout the year.
Filipino Festival
La Posada
Baltimore’s International Community Centers
International students can find community in a multitude of places, but a cultural center is always a great place to start. Baltimore boasts a wide variety of organizations that are committed to raising awareness and celebrating their heritages.
Feel at Home Without Leaving Campus
Based in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University (with four campuses across the city and three others in Washington, DC, Italy, and China) welcomes students from all over the world. The Homewood campus in North Baltimore is where the majority of students study. Museums, restaurants, concert venues, coffee houses, and one-of-a-kind shops are just a short walk or a free shuttle ride away from any of the four Baltimore campuses. Though the 140-acre main campus is surrounded by bustling city life, the university feels miles away with its grass-covered quads, tree-lined paths, and red brick buildings.
International students will find a home away from home on campus, thanks to the Office of International Students (OIS), which serves more than 11,000 international students, recent alumni, faculty, researchers, scholars, staff, and their dependents annually. The OIS assists students with any immigration-related issues, and are also on hand to help students acclimate to their new surroundings.
The university hosts many cultural events throughout the year, including International Week, that give students a chance to feel closer to home, as well as experience other cultures. Johns Hopkins encourages students to find their community and one way is by joining one of the many student organizations, like the Black Student Union (BSU), FSA (Filipino Student Association), Japanese Students International (JSI), Korean Students Association, Latino Estudiantil (OLÉ), and the Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA).
Thanks to the campus location within Baltimore and its close proximity to Washington, DC, students can take advantage of invaluable networking opportunities, as well as hands-on experience in their chosen career through internships at top-tier businesses. The university also helps students plan, practice, and achieve success after graduation with its Life Design Lab, which “offers professional support and resources for launching a fulfilling career.”
Finding a Home Away from Home
Whether in the heart of the city or the suburban outskirts, international students will find rich cultural connections that make Baltimore an attractive destination for those who want to still feel close to home while studying in a different country.
Shorelight can help you find your US university home away from home >
