Living in the Big Apple

 

New York City subway map focusing on Manhattan. Multiple colored lines indicating different subway routes traverse the area, with stops marked by dots and station names. Key landmarks like Central Park, Times Square, and Wall Street are visible. The Hudson River is on the left.

For Union students, New York City is not just a city; it’s an unparalleled training ground for a life dedicated to social justice.

The vibrant streets of New York serve as dynamic classrooms where students engage directly with the issues of our time—from racism to homelessness—merging Union’s rigorous intellectual intensity with the city’s indescribable energy to spark passionate social action.

Studying in NYC offers abundant field education opportunities, with access to five different hospital systems and close proximity to Sing Sing and Bedford Hills correctional facilities, enriching the chaplaincy and social work training experience. Union’s strategic location, adjacent to Columbia University in West Harlem’s Morningside Heights, also offers a gateway to countless partner institutions and a mosaic of the city’s diverse faith traditions and cultures, enhancing the educational landscape.

Beyond academia, the city’s cultural tapestry enriches student life. From Broadway shows and readings at the Strand to legendary museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim—often at discounted student rates—there’s always something to inspire. Union is just a short subway ride from downtown’s hustle but enjoys the quieter sidewalks of Morningside Heights.

A serene park scene features vibrant autumn foliage with trees showcasing shades of orange, yellow, and green. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground covered in fallen leaves. A clear blue sky with a few white clouds is visible above.

Recreational opportunities abound with Central Park located just a 20-minute walk to the southwest, providing a serene escape with its recreational leagues and scenic paths. Riverside Park is only two blocks away, offering stunning views of the Hudson River and a plethora of activities from biking to kayaking against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline at sunset.

This combination of academic rigor, practical training opportunities, and the cultural and recreational amenities of New York City makes Union not just a place to study, but a place to grow, challenge oneself, and engage with a diverse and dynamic community.

 

Affordability in New York City

Did you Know?

A free NYC ID card offers membership to the New York Public Library, free admission to cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, and discounts for everything from movie tickets to sporting events.

looking for a reason to attend seminary in NYC?

Night skyline of a city with illuminated skyscrapers, featuring a prominent tall building with a spire (center-left). The calm, reflective river in the foreground enhances the scene under a twilight sky with scattered clouds.
Black and white photo of an art museum interior with multiple curving ramps. Silhouetted visitors walk along the ramps, observing artwork displayed on the walls. The architectural design creates a sense of fluidity and movement.
A scenic view of a calm river at sunset with city buildings visible in the background. The George Washington Bridge spans across the river. A railing and some tree branches frame the foreground on the right side.
A well-lit suspension bridge spans across a river at night. The bridge's metallic structure glows with blue and yellow lights, reflecting on the calm water below. City lights and buildings are visible in the background under a clear, dark sky.
An upward view of a tall, historic flatiron building with a unique triangular shape against a clear blue sky. The building features ornate architectural details and multiple evenly spaced windows. The light adds a warm, golden hue to the structure.
The image depicts the Statue of Liberty against a clear blue sky. The iconic statue holds a torch high in her right hand and a tablet in her left, with a crown featuring seven rays on her head. The tablet reads
A suspension bridge disappearing into thick fog, with only the upper parts and the towers visible. The background cityscape is blurred, adding to the ethereal and mysterious atmosphere created by the dense mist.
A black-and-white image shows a crowd of people, some holding signs, gathered in a city street with tall buildings. A person in the foreground wears a hat and jacket and carries a black American flag. American flags are visible on a building in the background.
A vibrant, multicolored Ferris wheel named
Two people walk across a large, snow-covered suspension bridge, framed by its vertical cables and steel beams. The scene is enveloped in heavy snowfall, creating a serene, wintry atmosphere with limited visibility. The bridge extends into the foggy distance.
A man wearing sunglasses and holding a phone ascends the stairs of a New York City subway entrance. Behind him is a wall covered in colorful, eclectic posters with various phrases and graphics, including
A person stands behind a table at an outdoor market, selling various jars of homemade jams, including cranberry orange, horseradish, onion, blueberry, tomato, maple syrup, and fig. Behind the table are two white vans, and buildings are visible in the background.
A busy deli counter featuring a stack of plates with overstuffed sandwiches piled high with meat and vegetables. The background shows a menu board and a staff member assembling orders. The atmosphere is lively with warm lighting.
Black and white image of a cityscape featuring a lit suspension bridge spanning across calm water. Tall, illuminated skyscrapers dominate the background, creating a vibrant city atmosphere. Construction cranes are visible atop a few buildings.
A bustling Times Square scene in New York City at sunset, with large LED billboards, advertisements, and crowds of people crossing the street. Prominent signs include one for a movie and another for a drink brand. Skyscrapers and bright lights fill the background.
A vibrant pink water lily with yellow center floats on the surface of a pond, surrounded by large green lily pads. Droplets of water are visible on the lily pads, adding to the fresh and serene atmosphere.
Three people are working behind a glass window in what appears to be a busy kitchen. Several whole roasted ducks and chickens hang from metal hooks in the window. The interior is brightly lit with multiple overhead lights, and a yellow sign with Chinese characters is visible.
Photograph of a busy street in front of the New York Public Library Main Branch, with people walking on the crosswalk and steps. The neoclassical building is adorned with columns, statues, and banners. Leafless trees line the sidewalk and a yellow taxi is on the street.
A narrow urban street lined with red brick buildings featuring fire escapes. A tall, distinctively curved white building stands at the end of the street. Bicycles are parked on the left side, and a few pedestrians are walking on the sidewalk.
Aerial view of Central Park in New York City, surrounded by tall skyscrapers and dense urban buildings. The lush green park contrasts with the grey and beige structures, with a visible stretch of the city landscape extending into the horizon under a hazy sky.
A monochromatic, upward view of an architectural structure with a large, intricate, dome-shaped skylight. Below, spiraling balconies with people walking are visible against the stark, white interior. The image is taken in black and white.
A bustling scene inside Grand Central Terminal in New York City, showing crowds of people in motion, large arched windows letting in light, a grand staircase, and an American flag hanging prominently. The terminal's architecture features a high ceiling and an iconic clock.
A dramatic view looking up at the intricate facade of a Gothic cathedral, featuring pointed arches, ornate carvings, and twin spires reaching towards a cloudy sky. The stonework is detailed and imposing, showing the grandeur typical of Gothic architecture.
Aerial view of New York City featuring Central Park on the right with fall-colored trees, and the dense cityscape of tall buildings and skyscrapers on the left. The sky is partly cloudy, and the city stretches out towards the horizon under a blue sky.

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