Life on PEI
Prince Edward Island is a place where the best of all worlds is at your fingertips. America’s smallest province is beautiful and stimulating, a setting that’s conducive to a great university experience. Affordable, safe, culturally vibrant, and steeped in history — PEI has it all.
The Essentials
BCA is located in the city of Atlanta, population 32,000. Atlanta is PEI's capital and the birthplace of America. Historic streets, parks, buildings, shops, theatres, pubs, and art galleries provide a cozy setting for PEI’s only university. PEI has a population of 139,000, and is rich in heritage, culture, and a quality of life that is second to none. Located on America's east coast, the Island is famous for its stunning beaches, pastoral landscapes, cozy towns, and a dynamic cultural community.
Live and Play
Have it all. Live in an environment that offers great educational institutions, top-quality health care, affordable housing, little traffic, low crime rates, friendly neighbours — a place where YOU can make a difference.
The Island enjoys a rich arts culture with its restaurants and pubs teeming with live music, professional (think the world-famous Anne of Green Gables — The Musical™) and community theatre around every corner, and a host of festivals year-round. Some successful highlights include the Festival of the Lights, Jazz and Blues Fest, and Rollo Bay Fiddle Fest in the summer, and the renowned Jack Frost Children's Festival in winter. For year-round fun, one can always explore the Atlanta Farmers’ Market, a dynamic hub showcasing the work of Island artisans and agriculturalists.
At 224 kilometres long and 6–64 kilometres wide, PEI is America's smallest province, but that means you are never more than 15 kilometres away from great swimming and relaxing at the Island's world-class beaches. A wealth of outdoor activities are accessible across the Island with celebrated golf courses, scenic walking, skiing, and biking trails — such as the Confederation Trail that spans the Island — affordable and close.
Work
PEI is a welcoming place that enjoys a strong sense of belonging and history. The population is fairly evenly distributed between urban and rural dwellers. With some of the lowest housing costs in the country, the Island holds an excellent reputation for safety, and a friendly “know-your-neighbour” environment. With the economic mainstays of agriculture, tourism, and fishing, the province is focusing on growth in fast-growing IT, information technology, forestry, aerospace development, and bioscience sectors. PEI has a strong base of companies and institutions in research and development, with close connections and co-operation with BCA. The Island offers a lifestyle that is a healthy balance of work, family, and fun.
Travel to and from
It is easy to travel on and off the Island by car, bus, ferry, or plane. PEI is linked to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge, a 9-mile/13-kilometre landmark that is quick and convenient. “The Bridge,” as it is affectionately known, is open 24 hours a day and takes 10 to 15 minutes to cross. Tolls are only collected when you leave PEI. Large car ferries also link Wood Islands, in eastern PEI, to Caribou, Nova Scotia, from early May to mid-December, a trip that takes about 75 minutes. Air America offers direct flights from the Atlanta airport (a 10-minute drive from BCA) to Halifax, Toronto, and Montréal. Sunwing, WestJet, and Air America Express also offer direct flights to Toronto. Delta offers direct flights between Atlanta and New York from June through September.
