I will always remember the first time I saw Manhattan. In the back of a taxi on my way from JFK, I looked out of the window to my left and saw the iconic skyline. It was at night, and the city was lit up and it looked like a dream. It was just how I imagined it to be, which felt so surreal. Seeing something you’ve seen so many times in pictures, in films and in TV shows, is such a strange experience. Knowing that it’s actually real, that you’re actually here, and here to stay for a fair period of time is a crazy, crazy feeling.
Some aspects of the city need getting used to. For example, the subway was a new experience. While I’m familiar with the tube in London, the NYC subway is very different. It’s bigger, busier, and not as comfortable. However, I love how straightforward the names of the stops are. It’s hard to miss your stop when it’s called “68th Street and Hunter College,” which is so reassuring when you’re traveling alone in a new city. Especially a city as crazy as this one.
I’ve just started my classes at Hunter College, and already I’ve noticed differences between American and British universities. For example, at my university back home, we have a lecture followed by a seminar, lasting a total of two hours. Here, the classes are structured a lot like high school classes. Which means sitting on individual desks, while a professor stands in front of a blackboard, teaching in a way that’s a mixture of a lecture and a seminar.
A major difference I’ve noticed is the cultural difference. Americans seem to have a natural confidence that you don’t find too often in the UK. British people tend to be a lot more reserved, and don’t often begin conversations with strangers. So when we were eating lunch outside of Hunter and a couple of guys started a conversation with us out of the blue and even suggested one of us asking for his number, we British girls were definitely in awe. Boys are not that forward where we’re from. Not that we’re complaining. However, it’s not just the boys. I noticed in my first class when we had to introduce ourselves, Americans in general, have an ease and an openness about them, which is something I admire.
While it might take some time getting used to this different way of living, I know it will be an amazing experience. And hopefully along with my new amazing subway navigation skills, I’ll be able to pick up some of that New Yorker confidence too.
