New York is a city for active and ambitious people who want to develop, learn, and make a career in international companies. Many of them are students. They come here from all over the world to get an excellent education and a prestigious job. Being in this huge metropolis, it is difficult to adapt to the new living conditions at first. Read more about what students need to know in New York on newyork1.one.
The best way to get to New York
Before traveling to New York, it is necessary to decide how to get there and book tickets in advance. Since students from different continents come here, many of them choose to fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport. It accepts planes from all over the world. From the airport, you can take an inexpensive AirTrain to get to the subway quickly. There is also a second comfortable but more expensive option: taking a taxi upon arrival in New York.
Where should a student live?
After arriving in this city, you can settle in a dormitory if you have the opportunity. But the living conditions there leave much to be desired. Some dormitories do not have kitchens and other amenities, so you need to be prepared for additional expenses. In addition, students staying there have to follow a whole list of strict rules.
There are also other accommodation options in New York. The most comfortable way to live here is in a rented apartment, as long as your budget allows it. It is worth paying attention to the fact that this is an expensive city. Renting 1 room here costs from $1,000 a month. To save money, you can rent a multi-room apartment with other students.
For those who want to improve their English and learn more about American culture, there is an alternative to staying with a family through the Homestay program. The cost of participation in the program is cheaper than renting an apartment.
It is better to choose housing in New York in an inexpensive and quiet neighborhood, for example, Greenwich Village, Greenpoint, Clinton Hill or Carroll Gardens. The majority of them are located in Brooklyn.
Where to buy food and what to know about prices?
Many international students are unaware that in New York, all prices in most stores are listed without tax. Therefore, when the goods are punched at the checkout, approximately 8.8% tax is added to their total cost. The same thing happens in cafes, restaurants and other catering establishments.
Bread, buckwheat, cheese and other products sold in the homeland can also be bought in some Russian stores in New York without paying taxes. However, be prepared for the fact that they will cost much more.
In this case, the best option for students is to save money with the help of special coupons. They are printed in newspapers. In addition, discount coupons for certain products can be purchased online at the following websites: groupon.com, seamless.com or ebay.com.
If you don’t feel like cooking, you can visit one of the coffee shops in New York. This is where students often go during breaks or before classes. To economize, they save a cup and ask for fresh coffee or another drink into it the next time. In some cafes, visitors can also use free WiFi, buy a large slice of pizza and any other dish at an affordable price.
Where to read literature and prepare for classes?
Almost all students go to libraries to find information and to give a presentation, research or study for a test. There are several libraries in New York. The most popular ones are the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Queens Public Library.
Electronic catalogs help to quickly find the right book in the library’s collection. A library card holder can take out 50 books for 3 weeks and ask for them to be delivered to the appropriate branch in the city.
Working conditions for students of New York universities
In New York, as in other cities, students are allowed to work part-time. Those who have the strength, desire and basic professional skills are always welcome. The easiest way to earn money in your free time is to get a job on campus and get a work permit from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. Every student has a chance to work in cafes, laboratories and the library. All working students are given a social security card to pay taxes and the opportunity to receive American rights.
It is also possible to get a job off-campus. A work permit can be obtained only after 1 year of study in New York. In addition, there must be good reasons for employment, namely:
1. The job is an internship for the student and is part of their curriculum.
2. The job is necessary to conduct research and produce practical results for certain purposes.
3. The student is in a difficult economic situation where it is necessary to earn money for monthly expenses and university tuition.
In such cases, students are able to work off-campus for several hours a day. They are hired to work in stores, pharmacies, delivery services, cafes and restaurants. Besides, many have the opportunity to volunteer, programming or help Americans in the household by working as nannies or taking care of the elderly. According to statistics, 60% of students work in the service sector.
Entertainment: how do students relax after classes?
Attending classes at the university and working take up a lot of time, but students still manage to have fun and walk around in different places in New York. A lot of entertainment in this city is expensive. Despite this, some of them can be saved. Museums need to be visited at a certain time. For example, every Friday, the New York Museum of Modern Art is free from 16:00 to 20:00.
It is also very popular here to attend Broadway shows that feature bright, costumed performances with live music and dance performances. They are known all over the world. Tickets for these shows are available at a discount on the day of the show and are sold in special booths in Times Square. They are easy to see because of the huge queues nearby.
Another popular place for students is the New York Public Library. There is not only a place to read books, but also to attend many free socio-cultural events: movie screenings, lectures, workshops, etc.
For those who want to be outdoors, there is a free boat cruise. On Mondays, everyone has the opportunity to ride the Staten Island Ferry without paying an entrance fee and at the same time see the beautiful views of nature and New York skyscrapers. Every Friday, students can attend concerts in a cafe near the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
There are other things to do in this huge city. One can walk and picnic in the parks, rollerblading or cycling across the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Hell’s Gate bridges. It’s also possible to visit observation decks on skyscrapers, festivals, fairs and sports centers. Here everyone can find something to their liking and have a good time alone or with friends.
In addition, when arriving in New York, every student should definitely go on excursions to get acquainted with the culture, architecture, and history of this city as well as to better navigate the streets.