Training: Student Life
Somatics Training Program Student Life
While Hampshire campus (home to the Somatic Systems Institute's training program) may at times seem nestled away in its own corner of the world, student life is enriched by the school's location in the Pioneer Valley. "The Valley", as it is called by local residents, is home to everything from a large amusement park to the homestead of a beloved poet and all within 15 minutes to an hour's drive from campus. City life is not too far, either, as we are fairly close to both Boston and New York.
Besides Hampshire, there are several other institutions of higher learning in the Valley offering an array of lectures, concerts and presentations on any given day. Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts are also both in Amherst. Smith College is in Northampton. Mt. Holyoke College is in South Hadley. Together with Hampshire College, these schools form the Five College Consortium. Most 5-College facilities are available to all 5-College students including libraries, computer labs and dining halls and are only a (free) bus ride away.
Outside of classes, students frequent Northampton and Amherst on a daily basis. Both town centers are easily accessible by bus and offer a range of activities. Downtown Amherst is home to the Emily Dickinson homestead as well as a number of restaurants, boutiques and specialty stores. Downtown Northampton is home to small movie houses, concert halls and a variety of dining and shopping.
If looking to get away from Amherst and Northampton, there are a number of places that are a short drive from campus. Holyoke, to our south, is our nearest city and is often the site of many off-campus internships. Just north of Holyoke is the Holyoke Mall and nearby shopping complexes. Springfield, also to our south, has a number of theaters, museums, and is home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Six Flags New England is also very near Springfield in Agawam.
If looking to go somewhere more serene, there are a number of campgrounds to our northwest and also a number of small mountains for hiking and biking, some even within walking distance of campus. The Connecticut River runs through the center of the Valley and provides a perfect atmosphere for kayaking and canoeing.
For additional nearby nature and culture, just to the west of the Pioneer Valley is the Berkshire Mountains region of Western Massachusetts (in fact, the Berkshire foothills begin just 15 minutes outside Northampton center). Summer is the best time to take advantage of this area famous for premiere concerts, dance, and theater nestled in a posh country resort area. Tanglewood and other famous Berkshire cultural centers are only an hour or less picturesque drive away.
For the traveler, both Boston and New York are a few hours away, accessible by bus from the 5-College area and train from Springfield. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT is only 45 minutes away and Logan International Airport in Boston is 2 hours away.
- Northampton city information
- Northampton information from the Chamber of Commerce
- Amherst town information
- South Hadley town information
- Pioneer Valley Guide
Subsections of Pioneer Valley Information:
