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The Coordinated Doctoral Programs are located at Columbia University Medical Center, which is approximately four miles North of the main (Morningside Heights) campus of Columbia University. The Medical Center overlooks the majestic Hudson River near the northern end of Manhattan in Washington Heights, with easy access to all the other riches of the city. About 1,000 graduate and professional students are currently engaged in various studies at the Medical Center campus. Most students choose to live near the Medical Center, and Columbia provides guaranteed housing for entering graduate students. Within the environment of the University and its affiliates there are infinite academic and recreational opportunities: from pursuing collaborative research efforts with faculty from the many other major research universities in New York City, and attending a public forum at the Morningside Campus, to swimming and playing squash (the Medical Center recently renovated and enlarged its pool and exercise facilities). However, to really live fully while you study, you should explore the rest of the city as well. New York is a world in microcosm. Visiting its many cultures can transport you across continents in mere blocks - from Poland to India in the East Village, or from Little Italy to Chinatown. True to international travel, the cuisine is as varied as the countries you choose to visit. Other neighborhoods are defined by professional subcultures rather than ethnicity (Soho's artists, Wall Street's investors, Fulton's fishermen) and offer different kinds of nourishment. Although the city can be quite expensive, there are many ways to avoid the high costs: the museums have special times when they are free or when they leave the donation to your discretion; Broadway tickets are half-price if you are willing to wait on line at Times Square. Right here in the Medical Center there also are half-price tickets to theater and discounts on restaurants. In addition, each week the Village Voice newspaper has a list of inexpensive or free events. The subway is the fastest way to get around the city, and the cheapest. Both the city and the subway run continuously, 24 hours a day. Public transportation can get you to all the places you want to go from the Cloisters to the Cafe Florant in the meat-packing district, and from Coney Island to the Tibetan Museum on Staten Island. The University also runs a free shuttle bus from the Medical Center to the Morningside Campus. As you begin to settle down in your studies, you should explore and participate in the various attractions of New York. It will make your studies richer!
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