Providence is a compact, walkable city with a lively arts and restaurant scene, strong hospital and academic anchors (great for clinical placements), frequent cultural events and riverside parks — easy to fill evenings and weekends during multi‑week assignments and feel like you’re living somewhere interesting rather than stuck.
For bigger‑city variety, Boston is an easy ~hour train or drive for major museums, sports and airports, and nearby Worcester adds extra dining and cultural options within the same region.