Ann Arbor is located in southeast Michigan, 45 minutes away from Detroit, and about a 4-hour drive from Chicago or Toronto. The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a major hub for Northwest Airlines, is only 25 minutes away. The city of Ann Arbor combines small-town appeal with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and advantages of big-city living. It attracts top performing artists from around the world and has a host of gourmet restaurants. Beginning in mid-june, the city hosts a three-week outdoor and indoor extravaganza, featuring national as well as local performers.

The University of Michigan is one of a few state universities consistently ranked in the top ten in the US. Over 36,000 students are enrolled in its Ann Arbor campus in 18 schools and colleges.