So as I sit here at my computer looking out upon the beautiful (FINALLY!) New York City day, I realized that I've been here for two weeks already. Why is it that every semester and every new experience goes faster than the last? Sigh. It's ok though, I'm having a blast.
Wednesday and Friday this week Niki (the other intern) and I met with various people in the Residential Life and Housing Services department. I already talked about Wednesday's meetings in another post, but over the two days I just couldn't help but absolutely enjoy meeting with each and every one of those people. The pro staff here is amazing, and to me it is really obvious that every person who works in that office is dedicated to making their residents' experiences here NYU as positive as possible. More than just being so gosh darn nice, they work and the programs that happen in the residence halls here is incredible. Before I came to NYU one of my preconceptions was that there couldn't possibily be a strong community vibe in the halls, and that to try and program for halls with over 1000 people was absolutely ridiculous. But no, it's almost like some people here thought that very same thing and have done everything in their power to make the communities in the halls as unique, engaging, and supportive as possible. I'm incredibly jealous of the faculty programs that go on in the halls, and I wish our faculty would dedicate even a tenth of what the faculty here do to the residence halls. Hopefully the merger of academics and student affairs under one "umbrella" at UCM will help some, but there's a whole lot of other issues there. Anyway, from what I can tell there's a lot from the programs I can bring back to UCM to not only help me in my hall manager, but I've been given a ton of information that I can share with the pro staff at UCM and keep for myself for when I'm a full-time staff member (wherever that ends up being) once I graduate. I'm very excited for the next 8 weeks.
One thing I'm nervous for is tomorrow. We have about 100 people checking in who are from the University of Hong Kong. I don't doubt that they'll speak at least at some language, but what I'm nervous for is that we'll have something completely wrong, or offend someone by having a name wrong, or we'll be insensitive somehow. I don't know why I'm this nervous since we had 60 people from India check in last weekend and that went fine. I'm sure it will be fine, I just tend to over-analyze and dwell on the little things when it comes to tasks like this. I'm sure my summer assistants will be awesome and all my worrying will have been for nothing!
Lastly to talk about is................ that...my last sentence. What is that? Optimism? Excitement at nerve-racking challenges? Who am I!? I've noticed lately, I think since I got to New York, that I've just been more outwardly positive. I have no idea why, and it isn't bad, it just isn't what I'm used to. Maybe it's because I'm back in housing, back doing the things I love, and really enjoying my position? Make's sense.
Ok, maybe that wasn't last. I realized I haven't talked much about the city, only snippets here and there. I love my neighborhood. It's busy and bustling, but it has this amazing energy that really attracts me. Last night and this morning/afternoon I just walked around a few streets I hadn't been to yet, and it was really fun. Today was the first time I actually walked through the actual Union Square instead of around it, and it seems like a pretty cool park/square. On my Facebook I posted a few pictures you can check out if you like, but again, the neighborhood is awesome. If I actually lived in New York, I think I would want to live in this neighborhood.
Finally, 2 of my best friends from UWRF will be here and I can't wait! I'll update again soon!
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