Once again, I cannot stop talking about my summer in NYC. However, I wanted to share five unforgettable experiences from my summer I don’t think I could ever recreate again. My best friend, Kareem, (since 7th grade!) was also interning in NY last summer and happens to be included in basically all of these highlights. But I promise I did other things with different people! In all seriousness, I am really happy that I got to share these experiences with him and I am eternally grateful for our 8+ years of friendship.
1) Tourist for the Day - June 8, 2019
This day was epic! Kareem and I walked a total of 15.5 miles. We started the day by meeting at Washington Square Park, then walked the High Line, Hudson Yards/Vessel, Grand Central Station, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and Times Square.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is a great place for people watching and there is always something going on! We went on a Saturday and there was some kind of festival going on.
The High Line
Kareem and I walked the entire trail. It was a beautiful and sunny day for walking and taking pictures.
Hudson Yards/Vessel
This property is actually developed by the Related Companies, whose founder is Stephen M. Ross, who our business school is named after. So it was pretty cool to come visit the Vessel. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to walk up the Vessel this day because we didn’t realize that we would need tickets and would have to wait.
Grand Central Station
At this point in the day, we needed to take some time to recharge. Our phones were also dying, so we charged them at the Apple Store in Grand Central.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
I was so excited to visit the Met! I was able to recreate the iconic Gossip Girl picture on the steps. But in all seriousness, I love art museums. I loved being able to see the Camp Exhibit (especially a month after the Met Gala). I also enjoyed the Asian and Greek/Roman exhibits. The Met is huge and I could have spent the entire day wandering from gallery to gallery but Kareem and I didn't have time for that! Crazy enough, I ran into a girl that I went to high school with at the Camp Exhibit.
Central Park
After the Met, Kareem and I went to Central Park and walked around a bit. We entered through the entrance by the Plaza Hotel. I wish we got to explore more and visit the Loeb Boathouse or the Bethesda Fountain. But I was excited to finally say that I was at Central Park, an iconic NYC spot.
Times Square
I had already visited Times Square during the day with my family in May. But Kareem said that he really wanted to visit Times Square at night. I will say that Times Square is much prettier at night. We also happened to run into a worker from a local Ann Arbor restaurant on the Red Stairs. What a small world!
2) Walking in World Pride Parade - June 30, 2019
This was a day that I will never forget. I find it amazing that not only did I get to walk in the NYC Pride Parade, but it was actually the official 2019 World Pride Parade. Our friend Ben, who also goes to the University of Michigan was visiting from D.C and walked in the parade with us. We marched with Deutsche Bank, the company Kareem was interning for last summer. We all had matching t-shirts and got to be on the Deutsche Bank float. Music was constantly playing from the streets and from the float. Honestly, it was such an amazing day full of love and inclusivity. I got to meet some of Kareem’s intern friends and we all marched together. We walked the ENTIRE route and by the end, our legs hurt so much but it was definitely worth it.
3) Private Tour of NYSE - July 18, 2019
I already mentioned in my first blog post that the company I interned for last summer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, organized a private tour of the NYSE for interns. I still consider this experience one of the highlights from my summer because who can say that they got a private tour of the NYSE?? Two companies went public that day! I also thought it was cool to see the ringing of the opening bell.
4) Sunrise at Brooklyn Bridge - August 4, 2019
This activity wasn’t on my NYC bucket list but it was actually on Kareem’s! Even though I woke up at 4 am for this, I can say it was definitely worth it! The sunrise was gorgeous and I hadn’t been back to the Brooklyn Bridge since May, when my family moved me in. It was kind of fitting that I would end my last weekend in NYC at a place that I visited at the start of my 10 weeks. Kareem got us bagels, which made for some great props in pictures. But in all seriousness, I am grateful for a friend like him who is always down for new experiences and adventures!
5) Live Show Tapings - June 25, 2019 & August 4, 2019
I highly recommend attending a taping of a late night show. I was lucky to attend not one but two tapings!
The first taping I went to was Late Night With Seth Meyers. Kareem and I put in ticket requests in May and we were able to attend the taping on June 25 with our friend Adya! The taping we attended was pretty unique because it was actually filmed live, so the taping didn’t start until 11:30 pm! I didn’t go to bed until 2 am that night.
The second taping I attended was Last Week Tonight with John Oliver with my friends Kareem and Alex. Funny story, Kareem put in ticket requests on July 2 but never heard back so we figured that we didn’t get tickets. This taping was the same day that Kareem and I saw the sunrise at the Brooklyn Bridge. So after we headed our separate ways that morning, Kareem woke up to an email saying that we got tickets for the taping that day! August 4 really felt like 2 days because we were up so early.
Both tapings were pretty cool. Of course, there were no phones allowed. It was really interesting to see the process of how they film and conduct these tapings. There are designated times that crew members give cues for when the audience should laugh and clap.
This truly was a summer to remember for me. I got to experience so many things beyond my imagination. I learned a lot more about myself and cultivated new relationships. I am extremely grateful to have called NYC home for 10 weeks and hope to be back soon!
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