YALE UNIVERSITY

Like Harvard University, Yale is a member of the Ivy League - a grouping of the eight most prestigious universities in the United States, all located in the northeast of the country. The Ivy League has educated many influential people in the United States and around the world, as has Yale. Five U.S. presidents are graduates of this university: Willam Howard Taft, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and the Bush father and son. Yale has also been home to such famous artists as Mark Rothko, Jodie Foster, Edward Norton, Sigourney Weaver and Meryl Streep.

The best way to take the pulse of the Yale campus is to take one of the free guided tours, which are organized by students. From the Old Campus, which dates back to the university's origins, to the modern buildings, you'll discover the heart of Yale student life. Some of the sites included in the tour are not open to the public and are frequented only by students. Some of the must-see sites include the Beinecke Rare Book Library, the Sterling Memorial Library, and Rudolph Hall. Guided tours start at the Visitor Center. They take place every weekday and Saturday, depending on the season and the university calendar (no visits during holiday periods). Even if you do not take a guided tour, the Visitor Center is a must before visiting the university site. There you will find many brochures and information.