#lspostcard

thegreektexan:

Stuyvesant Street, East Village

Minetta Street, Greenwich Village

Prospect Park West

Washington Street, DUMBO

Riverside Drive (in the 90s), Upper West Side

Cranberry Street, Brooklyn Heights

47th St (& Skillman Ave), Sunnyside

Convent Avenue, Harlem

West 10th Street (Between 5th & 6th), Greenwich Village

Crosby Street, SoHo

Marlborough Road, Ditmas Park

Grace Court Alley, Brooklyn Heights

Guernsey Street, Greenpoint

Kent Street, Greenpoint

Joralemon Street, Brooklyn Heights

like-dancing-about-architecture:

Top 5 NYUP Tips

If someone asked me what the biggest pieces of advice I could give about living in Paris, were, this is what I’d tell them. Some of this is what you’ll read on any study abroad survival guide, but really, there’s a reason that some advice is repeated so often- it’s good. Follow it. Especially 1 and 2 in this case. Anyways, this is what helped me survive in and learn to love the city (not that Paris is hard to love!) and I hope that anyone incoming students find them helpful!

1.) Make French friends. Really. I know it can be daunting, but the very best way to see the city is to meet people who know the city. (Not to mention that the best way to learn a language is to practice with native speakers!) I had a few friends who studied in Paris and all of my best adventures were with them. It’s easy to get trapped in the NYU/ American bubble, but try to get out of it as much as possible. Hang out at the Sorbonne library, look into any NYU planned meet-ups with French students, find events in the city. (I found that the app Couchsurfing was helpful to find events). You will regret it if you spend your year only hanging out with Americans!

2.) Get out of the dorms. My biggest regret was not completing the Paris bucket list I made in the beginning of the year. While I had many unplanned adventures and discovered so much that Pinterest didn’t tell me about, i was a little sorry that I hadn’t seen some of the things I’d planned on. My biggest excuse? Laziness. It’s so easy to get sucked into the routine of class, dorm, Netflix, and spend more time in your bed than in the city. You’re only in Paris for one year, and the city has so much to offer. Someone told me that Paris is underrated, because the sights labeled as must-sees are overrated. Once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, get out and discover what the guidebooks don’t tell you!

thegreektexan:

Before You Go Guide

Check in for your flight: Most airlines allow you to do online check-in about 24 hours before your departure.

Snatch that window seat: If you didn’t already choose where you’re sitting, you can most likely do so now on the airlines’ website.

Check baggage policies: There are two types of travelers. Those with a single carry-on and those who have zero self control when it comes to packing.

Arrive at the airport with enough time: For international flights, you should arrive at the airport 3-4 hours ahead of departure. For domestic flights, you should arrive about 2 hours ahead of departure.

Pre-schedule your arrival plan:Don’t stress about how you’re getting from the airport to where you want to be. Schedule it ahead of time.

Book activites: See as much as possible on your trip by booking activites.

thegreektexan:

What's in my bag?

Okay, I know y'all are probably like okay who cares what you carry around in that black whole you call a “purse” but I feel like this is actually an important topic people could benefit from for two reasons. First, I don’t know if this is a New York specific thing, but there are some things I never leave my apartment without, because living in the city, you never know when you’re going to need band aids, or a phone charge, for example. Going home in the middle of the day is often not an option for me, and for many of my friends, so it’s nice to have certain things “just in case”. The second reason - which is going off the first one - many people (myself included) are suckers for big totes, that can literally turn into a black hole filled with god knows what. There is nothing worse that getting home late at night, only to discover that my keys are somewhere in the bottom of my purse, covered up by lotion, a brush (?), pens and headphones. Also, if you’re going to out for hours on end, walking from destination to destination, it’s not good to carry all that weight around!

So, that being said - here is what is in my bag and how I organize it!

Rome, Italy 

Before the stress and work of the spring semester at NYU Paris, Olivia and I travelled to Rome to experience Italian food, wine, and culture (but also have some Lizzie McGuire movie moments). We ate gelato every day, but walked it off (About 77,000 steps, according to our iPhone Health apps). We circled the Trevi Fountain numerous times and got lost among the quiet, narrow, cobblestone streets, but we always managed to find ourselves laughing over a meal of Margherita pizza, pasta, and red wine. 

While visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum, we were shocked at how the structures have stayed put for so long. It is amazing how well Rome preserves its history and how the city was built around the ruins and forum. 

There is no other place I’ll see tiny cars and vespas bouncing over uneven cobblestone streets. Rome is one-of-a-kind! 

Ciao!

bonjournyu:

Mastering Paris

College life is hard and stressful; adjusting to new professors, coursework, and exams are not easy transitions. On top of those, living in a large, bustling city is an extra adjustment. Even though I live close to New York City and visit frequently, actually living in a city is much different. I’ve learned many things, which follow below:

Cooking: At NYU Paris, there are no meal plans, therefore it our responsibility to cook meals. Before college started, I didn’t even think about meals I can actually cook-I only came perfectly knowing how to make pasta (but the directions are on most boxes, so…). After many unsuccessful attempts at cooking, like making way(yyyy) too much rice that fill 3 Tupperware containers and setting off the fire alarm, I’ve finally found my hidden skill at making delicious meals. Some of which include: mixed vegetables sautéed in coconut and lemongrass sauce (from Marks & Spencer) and salmon and vegetable quinoa.

College life is hard and stressful; adjusting to new professors, coursework, and exams are not easy transitions. On top of those, living in a large, bustling city is an extra adjustment. Even though I live close to New York City and visit frequently, actually living in a city is much different. I’ve learned many things, which follow below:

Cooking: At NYU Paris, there are no meal plans, therefore it our responsibility to cook meals. Before college started, I didn’t even think about meals I can actually cook-I only came perfectly knowing how to make pasta (but the directions are on most boxes, so...). After many unsuccessful attempts at cooking, like making way(yyyy) too much rice that fill 3 Tupperware containers and setting off the fire alarm, I’ve finally found my hidden skill at making delicious meals. Some of which include: mixed vegetables sautéed in coconut and lemongrass sauce (from Marks & Spencer) and salmon and vegetable quinoa.

The Metro: Oh, the metro. Whether it’s the RER B, M6, M1, RER C, or M4,(beaucoup, no?) I always need google maps to find the right metro to take to my desired location. Google maps prediction times of 40 minutes seemed extremely long in the beginning of the year, but now 40 minutes is a breeze. Rush hour is the worst-smushed into the small standing room and pushing people while saying “PARDON” over and over so you make it out the doors that literally stay open for 20 seconds. The metro is a skill you must master. Or you can take the bus-the bus is always a good idea.

Grocery Shopping: I am used to the grocery shopping I’ve always witnessed my mother do: eat all the food in the house until we desperately need to go to Stop & Shop, then make time for a 2 hour shopping trip with millions of coupons and plastic bags. This does not happen in Paris. I’ve learned that Parisians buy maybe 10 or less items at a time at the small marchés, and use their own stylish (but most times unstylish) reusable bags. I spend a lot of time in the grocery store on google translate, trying to translate the labels and actually find foods I came for. I’ve found my cheat though, Marks & Spencer. It’s a British grocery store that has so many delicious foods, and the best part is that every label is in English. I thought I was dreaming when I first found it. 

Even though I am ending my first semester next week, I am still trying to work on perfecting the Parisienne I truly think I am (way) deep down. Hopefully, I’ll succeed next semester. 

Bises,

LONDON

The weekend after fall break, my friends and I flew to London for a weekend of amazing food, views, and tea. My favorite part of the trip was visiting Shakespeare’s Globe, the top photo. Couldn’t forget to take a picture in a phone booth!