How Oxford Students Thrive in Georgia’s “Hollywood of the South”

When you picture college life, you might imagine big cities, bustling quads, and sprawling campuses. But sometimes, the most meaningful experiences start in quieter places—with tree-lined streets, historic storefronts, and a community that knows your name.

That’s the reality for students at Emory University’s Oxford College—just a mile from Covington, Georgia, a small town with big character.

Covington: A Small Town That Feels Like a Storybook

With its charming town square, iconic courthouse, and colorful mix of shops and restaurants, Covington is a place where college life blends into real life. It’s not just scenic—it’s cinematic. Shows like The Vampire Diaries, Sweet Magnolias, and The Dukes of Hazzard have all filmed here, but it’s the everyday rhythm of Covington that students fall in love with: the smell of fresh pastries from the corner bakery, Friday-night music on the square, and shop owners who learn your coffee order by week two.

A Campus That Lives Within Its Community

At Oxford College, students don’t just study near Covington—they live within it. On any given day, students walk or bike into town for group projects at the local coffeehouse, service learning at a nonprofit, gain clinical experience in Piedmont Newton Hospital, or a solo study session on the square.

Want to volunteer with a community garden? Intern at a local civic organization? Launch a creative project downtown? Covington makes it feel possible. And because it’s small and walkable, students connect quickly—not just with each other, but with the people and places that make this town unique.

More Than a College Town

What sets Covington apart isn’t just that it’s close to campus—it’s that it’s welcoming. It’s a place where you can be a regular, where your ideas matter, and where local impact feels within reach. Whether you’re spending a quiet Sunday exploring the antique shops or joining a community service project with classmates, you’re not a visitor here. You’re part of it.

Oxford students say the experience of living near Covington helps them grow in unexpected ways. They leave with stronger communication skills, a deeper appreciation for local leadership, and the confidence that comes from being known—not just by professors, but by a whole town.