Indianapolis, the nation's twelfth largest city, is known as the Crossroads of America. With a metropolitan population of over one million people, Indianapolis offers advantages of a city with a diverse, thriving economy combined with small-town friendliness known as "Hoosier Hospitality". Downtown Indianapolis has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and is a popular destination point. New and rehabilitated real estate, theatres, restaurants and shopping in the Circle Centre mall have all contributed to a revival of urban life. Downtown landmarks include the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Union Station, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, and the sprawling White River State Park, a popular urban recreational area featuring promenades and greeways along the downtown canal walk and White River and home to the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Headquarters, Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art.

Indianapolis is considered the “Automobile Racing Capitol of the World”. In addition to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race held each May, the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race each summer and The U.S. Nationals of the National Hot Rod Association are held here yearly. We welcome to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway starting in 2008-the Red Bull Indianapolis GP (motorcycle racing) which will debut on September 12-14, 2008. Professional sports teams include the NFL Indianapolis Colts, Superbowl XLI Champions (2006 season), who will start playing their games starting in 2008 in the new Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indiana Pacers of the NBA, who play in Conseco Fieldhouse along with our Women’s NBA team the Indianapolis Fever. The Triple A Indianapolis Indians play minor league baseball in Victory Field, located downtown. The CHL Indianapolis Ice play hockey at the State Fairgrounds. Sometimes termed the “Amateur Sports Capitol of the World”, Indianapolis has hosted the Men’s World Basketball Championships, the RCA Hardcourt Tennis Championships, the World Gymnastics Championships and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, along with many other sporting events.

The Indiana University Natatorium, site of the 1996 Olympic Swimming and Diving Trials, is conveniently located near the Indiana University Medical Center campus, on the campus of Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis. Also located near the Natatorium is the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, a training facility that offers memberships to the students and faculty of IU. Big Ten Conference athletics at Indiana University and Purdue University are within an hour's drive of Indianapolis. Recreational possibilities abound at Eagle Creek Park which offers biking, sailing, swimming, fishing and cross-country skiing. Major tennis complexes and over 30 public golf courses are conveniently located throughout the city.

The Children's Museum and Indianapolis Museum of Art are world renowned. The world's largest children's museum features numerous exhibits for children of all ages. The Indianapolis Museum of Art is the seventh largest art museum in the country. Cultural events are offered at Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus, at Verizon Wireless Music Center, at the restored Murat Theater and at the Circle Theater, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Other cultural activities include dance and opera companies, professional and amateur theatre, jazz clubs, comedy clubs and art leagues and galleries.

Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis offers 170 degree programs. Part time, full time or graduate students can complete studies here or at other local universities, such a Butler University, the University of Indianapolis, or Marion University. The city also has a variety of public, private and parochial schools to meet the educational needs of family members.

There are affordable housing options downtown and in the neighborhoods all over the city, within 20 minutes of the campus. Neighborhoods such as Historic Downtown, Broad Ripple, Butler-Tarkington, Eagle Creek, Castleton, Fishers, Carmel, Southport and Greenwood all offer extensive entertainment and dining options within a few minutes of residential areas. Housing costs are quite reasonable, with many fellows purchasing a home in the city.

These are only some of the attractions which make Indianapolis an ideal place to live. The facilities and resources are typical of those of a large city, but without the crowding, congestions and other problems that have troubled many large urban areas. The people of Indianapolis are proud of their community and treasure it as a great city in which to live, work, play and raise a family (Visiting Indianapolis).