When I thought of NYC I thought of the 4 hours I spent here when I was 21. It was early July - hot, sticky and smelled of the subway. I landed at JFK, took a shuttle into the city and was dropped off with my 50lb suitcase and 25lb carry-on, which I then lugged to the port authority bus station. 

With an empty stomach, 1 missed bus and a 2 hour trek around the station to find my next bus I was in tears. Mistake after mistake I choose to make the biggest of all next. Thinking with my stomach I asked someone to watch my bags so I could grab a bagel. Thankfully, the man did not steal anything, but instead gave me a lecture when I got back.

The point to my long story is this. I’m now 23, visiting NY for a week with 100+ students and faculty. After just 2 days I have realized I was missing one thing 2 years ago - perspective. There is something to be said about viewing NY from the tops of buildings rather then the boats on rivers or in my case the corner of a bus station crying.

Stay tuned.

Madison Hamilton 5.7.2018