NYU

As I walk through Washington Square Park after an hour of people watching and catching up with friends, I can't help but smile at the wonder of living here. Passing through the park with warm spring winds, the saxophone player belting his solo with his jazz band, parents walking their babies in strollers, quirky street shows, and the squishiest pugs and french bull dogs taking their stroll.

The luxury of going out to brunch on the weekends, exchanging dialogue over eggs benedict. To casually grab lunch at one of the million restaurants in Manhattan and forget your partial identity as a student. Fine dining for dinner with a glass of wine in the streets of the West Village. Bar hopping in East Village, NYC is ready any weekend to see you sing, dance, and sometimes, unwantonly, be a sh*t show.

To intern at some of the nation's and even the world's best companies in finance, technology, hospitality, real estate, fashion, media, politics, sports, and education while still in school. While the rest of the America's college students are in sweats, going from class to class, we're commuting from class to the office. Unrivaled experience founded by our fragile passions.

To be taught by some of the best professors, mentors who can offer you the network you need. To have a strong university behind you for your research and interviews. To have a university to provide you the niche community you were looking for.

To have fun by going to some of the unlimited art shows in the Chelsea gallery district, oogling at un-understandable contemporary art at MOMA, sitting on the steps of the Met, going to basketball games at Madison Square Garden, baseball games at Yankee stadium, food festivals in Brooklyn, kayaking in the Hudson river, running along the east river, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, getting dimsum in Chinatown, eating Laduree macarons in Central Park, ice skating in Bryant Park, being a tourist during Christmas on 5th avenue and Rockefeller Center, getting in line for the original Cronut, and going to late-night show tapings at Radio City.

Rolling your eyes at the glacial speed of tourists as you pass the Empire State Building; aggravated by the unbelievable foot traffic in Soho; having to leave earlier because the President of the United States is going to pass through the streets. Trying to be respectful towards celebrities by not making a commotion, but being a tiny tad bit rude (or shall I say, curious?) by continuing to stare. 

To be jaded by the individualistic and competitive society. To feel alone. And then slowly growing and finding yourself and your identity. To realize your purpose and not what others think about you. Refining your sarcasm as you continue to learn about life's half-hearted jokes.

To volunteer at soup kitchens on the weekends. Making friendships with people who will stick with you until the end. Pouring your heart out to people that have only known you for so little. Chatting with the strangers next to you at a coffee shop. Finding confidence in yourself and beginning to be that mentor to someone else.

I love this school. I love this City for what it is and what it has done to me.