For many people, taking a trip to New York City is their lifelong dream. For some, it is a dream that never becomes a reality.
Being from Long Island, New York City--"the city"--is not some fancy vacation that I saved for years to go on, or a lifelong dream for when I want to move away to "make it big." It, instead, has been a constant presence in my life since I was very young, a place where I spent my nights and weekends with friends and family.
I remind myself that for many people--for most of the world's population--this is not the case. In the last few years, since I have started to venture out on my own and find who I really am in the world, I have reflected upon how incredibly fortunate I am to live where I do, and how it has affected my development as a person.
As it is regarded as the cultural capital of the world, New York is home to some of the world's finest in both visual and performing arts. Having been to many of the city's most famous art museums such as the Met, the Guggenheim, and the MoMA, as well as various shows and concerts, I have been exposed to so much of the city's cultural scene. This culture has helped enhance my musicianship and creativity more so than living anywhere else could have. Multiple school trips were spent exploring New York's rich culture and history, which helped me to become more informed on different styles of performance and art.
Relating to culture, living near a city naturally makes a person more open-minded and tolerant. New York is home to every race, religion, sexual orientation, personality, and identity you can think of. In the city I have taken note of just how individual and true to themselves the people are, and this is a beautiful thing. Living near the city grants you the opportunity to meet so many interesting, talented, and driven people, each with a unique background and a different story to tell.
Lastly, the city has taught me to be independent. A place that is seen as intimidating to many people is a place that I am comfortable exploring alone. I have learned how to function on my own, and navigate my surroundings, as well as transportation. I have taken lessons from navigating New York and implemented them into my exploration of new areas, and so I have learned not to fear traveling alone.
Thank you, New York, for shaping me into who I am today. I intend to travel the world, but in my heart I know that New York will always be my home.
