Hello! Yes, I’d be happy to chat with you about it. Do you live on campus? We can set up a time to meet or if you’d like to ask me questions via email that is fine too! laurenwalson@gmail.com
I’m glad you chose New York!! :D
FAQ: How is the weather during the program?
Humid. Hot. Sweat. Talking about the weather and how hot and sweaty you are will be a daily topic in which one must ACCEPT THE SWEAT. Yes, the subway stations are muggy and the blaring ceiling lights make you want to hide in a corner until the train arrives. BUT, that glorious feeling of air conditioning hitting your body as you step into the subway will be well worth it! Trust me, I’m a horrible sweat monger.
Therefore, some clothes I’d recommend you bring are summer dresses and shorts, tanks and good walking sandals. You also must bring business attire to wear to the UN and Missions to the UN. They expect you to wear something professional (no need for full blown suits, but a black skirt and light blouse will definitely suffice). Also, bring some type of light rain jacket and boots/tennis shoes because there will be flash floods that sometimes come out of nowhere and most all of us were not prepared in any way. If you can pack a small umbrella instead of buying overpriced ones being sold on the street that is also a good idea.
The program is set up so that you will have a (very) manageable class schedule with ample time to see everything you need the rest of the week.
Classes for us were Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10am-12am (YAY for no 9am classes) and then our field trips were typically on Wednesdays. The field trips never lasted more than a couple of hours and the speakers are pretty interesting. Homework is again, very manageable and you will have plenty of time to go on day adventures or even take a weekend trip like I did to Boston.
Others visited family on the East Coast or took a bus to Philadelphia to see some schools as well. Don’t stress about the homework, just put in the effort, stay engaged and you’ll pass with flying colors.
FAQ: How is the dorm food at NYU and how frequent did you use them?
You will be given 8 meal swipes per week and $30 in credit for campus cash. For the first couple weeks the cafeteria will only be open Monday through Friday, but it will open on the weekends towards the end of the month. Therefore, I recommend using the swipes for lunches after class (most of us did that) and then save your money for dinners and over the weekend. You can swipe more than once per sitting so bring your friends if they’re visiting!
The dorm food is pretty good (some complained about the quality and compared the food to UCLA’s but, c’mon, who can really beat our dining halls anyways??) They grill the chicken right there for you, have a whole section for vegetarian food and you can have your own wraps and sandwiches made to order. If you’d like it to-go you can swipe and they’ll give you a box to fill up.
With the $30 in campus cash, you can swipe with your NYU card that you’ll set up within the first week and be able to buy Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts! The Starbucks is literally right next to the dorm, which is awesome to roll out of bed, grab some coffee and walk less than 5 minutes to the classroom at the Law School. However, the Dunkin’ Donuts is near Union Square which is about a 15 minute walk so that’s much better when you’re roaming around and taking pictures.
TIP: Buying a metro card
I HIGHLY recommend buying the month-long metro pass. I know, it’s $113 BUT you will most likely be using it everyday, especially for the field trips to the UN and other events in the program. And, if you’re like just about everyone else in the program, you will be using it to see all the main touristy places and maybe go farther to other boroughs after you’ve gotten your feet wet with the whole transportation thing. Buying the month pass is also nice because you won’t have to keep refilling your card with money and possibly missing an oncoming train.
NOTE- your pass will run out a few days before the program ends so I’d recommend buying a week-long pass when it runs out instead of adding as you go, but that all depends on how much you frequent the subway.
You will be sent a handout of how to get to the dorm from either JFK or Newark a couple weeks before the program starts (by taxi, subway, or bus), but I’ll tell you how I got there.
I recommend booking a car with carmellimo.com and then post to the group Facebook to see if anyone else will be arriving around the same time as you so you can split the ride. You can always split a taxi instead of calling for a car, but I felt that I’d be taken advantage of and be charged more (it’s happened before and I couldn’t argue!)
For the well-traveled individuals used to public transportation you can easily take the subway from Terminal 1 (Line A) for $2.65 which takes a little longer than it would by car but it’s a short walk to the dorm from the stop at 4th street.
Week 5 (7.24.14)
DONE WITH THE FINAL! It was very straightforward and clear with no surprises, just as the professor told us. Open note as well, so don’t try to memorize everything, just have a good understanding of the concepts we’ve learned. No reason to freak out :]
And what better way to celebrate than to have a spontaneous barbecue overlooking the skyline from Long Island City. It was relaxing and the view could not have been better.
Thank you, New York, and good night!
Week 5 (7.23.14)
Our last briefing of the program! We went to the beautiful town-home/office of the Council on Foreign Relations to talk with Senior Fellow Adam Segal who is an expert on cyberspace policy between the United States and China. He informed us a bit about how the two countries have been trying to work together and create some type of treaty about cyberspace, but it is a difficult process especially with Snowden and WikiLeaks disrupting negotiations. He made an interesting point in saying how there are relatively few regulations in the cyber world and what it means for the future of governments and security.
Week 5 (7.21.14)
This week, being our last week before we leave, shall consist of going to class, studying, drinking coffee, naptime, and frequenting the dining hall more than usual. BUT, to spice it up a bit my friend took me to this delicious Belgian Waffle restaurant called Wafels and Dinges. Walking into the place it immediately smelled like whatever heaven is supposed to smell like, a mixture of cinnamon, cookie butter and warm waffles fresh out the oven. When they told us they had the original recipe for the cookie butter (or Speculoos) that sold it to Trader Joe’s we just HAD to get their cookie butter ice cream. So. delicious. And don’t forget the bbq pulled pork and waffle! My friend and I each split the savory and sweet waffle plate, a perfect fix for a study break.
Central Park turns 161 years old today, and we are thrilled you’re celebrating with us! Thank you to everyone who helped Central Park Conservancy wish the Park a happy birthday by snapping #HBDCentralPark selfies. Above are some of our favorites from Park lovers and Conservancy staff.