The Setting
ALBANY, NEW YORK
Albany, capital of New York State, with a population of approximately 100,000, offers the members of its community many advantages of metropolitan living, while maintaining a geographic position that places the city in close proximity to areas of great natural beauty. Chartered in 1686, Albany offers a charming blend of the old and the new. The contemporary Empire State Plaza (a 98 1/2 acre complex of governmental buildings) contrasts interestingly with the surrounding 17th and 18th century architecture. A broad range of cultural activities flourish in the Capital District, including several theater groups, chorale societies, and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Spectators of the arts enjoy the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (summer home of the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York City Opera Company, and host to an array of musical performers), the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, and many summer stock theater groups located in the communities surrounding the city.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the areas around Albany have much to offer. The Adirondack, Catskill, and Helderberg Mountains in New York, as well as the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Green Mountains of Vermont, all replete with State and National Forests, offer excellent opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, and a myriad of winter sports. Downhill and cross-country skiing facilities from Lake Placid to areas in Vermont offer some of the best skiing in the Northeast. Vacation areas such as Saratoga Springs (home of the world famous thoroughbred racetrack - Saratoga Race Course), Lake George, and Lake Champlain are nearby. Also located within an easy drive are New York City, Boston, and Montreal.
Albany is an area rich in academic traditions. Within the tri-city area (Albany, Schenectady, and Troy), there are several universities (The State University of New York at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Union University), colleges (Russell Sage College, The College of St. Rose, Siena College, and Maria College), and professional schools (Albany College of Law, Albany College of Pharmacy, and Albany Medical College).
The cost of living in Albany is quite reasonable when compared to most East Coast cities. For those interns in need of housing, apartments within walking distance from the Consortium average between $500 - $550 for a one-bedroom apartment. Supermarkets and laundromats are conveniently located in most neighborhoods, and bus routes cover all Consortium locations.
