Julia during her internship in New York

Julia in New York

Here I am, almost three weeks in ‘the city that never sleeps.’ It really is a dream come true. I’m in my final year of the ‘Fashion & Design’ program. This year, I got the opportunity to do a six-month internship. I decided it was time for a new adventure. And where better to go than New York?

Preparations

I started looking for an internship in November 2016, and I’m glad I started early because you need the time! I’ll be honest, it was a lot of work. Questionnaires here, questionnaires there. Forms to fill out, passport photos to take, appointments to make… But it was all more than worth it when I finally heard the words ‘Your J1 Visa has been approved’ at the Consulate in Amsterdam. Plus, I learned a lot!

In New York

I must say, it’s amazing how quickly I got used to New York. I already feel completely at home. Although the Maps app still often comes in handy so I don’t get lost. But it’s all working out. I’m staying at The Webster Apartments with a bunch of other girls. I definitely recommend it! It’s located in Manhattan, just outside the busiest areas, with a view of The Empire State Building.

The first few days were a bit of a vacation for me: exploring the city, shopping, etc. Monday was a day off for Labor Day. Tuesday I started my internship, and since then time has been flying by (unfortunately)! In the two weeks I’ve been here, I’ve already seen quite a bit. We’ve been to Greenwich Village — if you’ve seen Sex and the City, you’ll recognize it! We also went to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Soho, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

One of the many reasons I love New York is because there’s always something happening wherever you look. In the subway, people suddenly put down a radio and start dancing. People are just so social and open-minded. I really like that. Another reason is that New York has many different neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. For example, when you go to Williamsburg, you don’t really feel like you’re still in New York. It looks so different.

I’m really looking forward to the holidays in New York. All the lights, the beautiful displays at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Also, the market stalls and ice rinks at Rockefeller Center and Central Park. And, of course, Black Friday! Luckily, the Christmas lights are already going up in November, so we don’t have to wait long to get into the holiday spirit.

Luckily, I don’t have to say goodbye to New York anytime soon, and I’m curious about what this city still has in store for me!