2008 Woodie Awards
A Day In New York
Pre-orientation from an outsider's perspective
Drew Lewis
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Campus News
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The road is beckoning. The world and time, a constant continuum, pass by me. And even though it is only the beginning of a journey that will hopefully end in ultimate success and satisfaction, I am completely terrified. What is Stevens like? Will I meet people with whom I have a lot in common? Like a balloon, the excitement and utter dread well up inside me. I cross the Passaic cliffs, and it is only then that I see the glory before me: New York City. It is also at that moment that I realize that I am completely alone for the first time in my life.
I walk into the dormitory, unpack my humble collection of belongings and confidently introduce myself to my roommate. From the beginning, I realize that here, as Darwin hypothesized, natural selection would doom some and embolden others. Only the most versatile and confident will survive.
As I then walk into the room full of those also learning about all the city has to offer, I realize that for the first time in a long time, I am standing on a level playing field. I stroll up to a random group, we begin talking, and we strive to find others similar to us in religion, thoughts, beliefs, and so forth. Then as we split into our individual groups, we cling to one another. The first day we attempt to learn all we can about each other through seemingly simple yet helpful name games, particularly the alliterative ones. The first day concluded with an insightful and much needed tour of town, especially for those of us not yet confirmed Hobokenites. By day's end, many of us form what we hope to be long-term friendships.
Yet it is the following two-and-a-half days that cement the notion that the beautiful distraction across the Hudson is more than a bustling metropolis; it is instead a mecca of international delights, relating to not only the restaurants, shops, and culture, but also to the diversity of ideas. Our tour guide, Jane Marx, clearly illustrates to all of us, both natives and newbies, that New York City has a wealth of attractions and sights that cannot be missed. Even though the heavens unleashed a deluge of rain on the city for those days, it is in contrast to the mood of the students. Seeing the scintillating stained glass windows in St. Patrick's Cathedral and the enthralling architecture of the Hearst building, the art-deco Chrysler Building, and the post-modernist Citicorp Center is a photographer's dream. In addition, the occasion to explore on our own is a welcome one, just as long as we do not get arrested, as per Jane's request. That is mostly how we uncovered city life in general, especially when bargaining in an African market in Harlem, looking for an umbrella in Chinatown, and window-shopping in the South Street Seaport.
I walk into the dormitory, unpack my humble collection of belongings and confidently introduce myself to my roommate. From the beginning, I realize that here, as Darwin hypothesized, natural selection would doom some and embolden others. Only the most versatile and confident will survive.
As I then walk into the room full of those also learning about all the city has to offer, I realize that for the first time in a long time, I am standing on a level playing field. I stroll up to a random group, we begin talking, and we strive to find others similar to us in religion, thoughts, beliefs, and so forth. Then as we split into our individual groups, we cling to one another. The first day we attempt to learn all we can about each other through seemingly simple yet helpful name games, particularly the alliterative ones. The first day concluded with an insightful and much needed tour of town, especially for those of us not yet confirmed Hobokenites. By day's end, many of us form what we hope to be long-term friendships.
Yet it is the following two-and-a-half days that cement the notion that the beautiful distraction across the Hudson is more than a bustling metropolis; it is instead a mecca of international delights, relating to not only the restaurants, shops, and culture, but also to the diversity of ideas. Our tour guide, Jane Marx, clearly illustrates to all of us, both natives and newbies, that New York City has a wealth of attractions and sights that cannot be missed. Even though the heavens unleashed a deluge of rain on the city for those days, it is in contrast to the mood of the students. Seeing the scintillating stained glass windows in St. Patrick's Cathedral and the enthralling architecture of the Hearst building, the art-deco Chrysler Building, and the post-modernist Citicorp Center is a photographer's dream. In addition, the occasion to explore on our own is a welcome one, just as long as we do not get arrested, as per Jane's request. That is mostly how we uncovered city life in general, especially when bargaining in an African market in Harlem, looking for an umbrella in Chinatown, and window-shopping in the South Street Seaport.