Olga during her studies in New York

Olga in New York City: "I felt like a little lucky duck!"

When I arrived in NYC to study for a semester, I felt so small and scared. The city felt enormous, the skyscrapers were gigantic, and everyone just seemed to be in a hurry. It was exactly like you see in the movies, and it felt surreal to actually be there, let alone stay for so many months. Still, it also felt adventurous: I was at the start of something new and exciting. I knew I would learn so much, and what an opportunity it was to study in The Big Apple! I felt like a little lucky duck!

An extreme way of living

In NYC, I was especially surprised by the extreme lifestyle. No normal parties, only rooftop parties with endless bottles of champagne and a ride back in a limousine. The food was either very unhealthy (huge portions of fast food) or super healthy (where are the carbs?). And when a restaurant had good reviews, it seemed like half the city was lining up to get a seat.

Phone plan

I had a ridiculously expensive phone plan that allowed me to call home for free. I had never talked so much on the phone in my entire life.

Do I feel at home in NYC?

I didn’t feel as at home as I do in the Netherlands. But still, when I came back to visit my friends and family in the Netherlands, it didn’t feel quite as much like home compared to before. I was surprised at how patiently people could wait for the bus. I didn’t know which loyalty stamps I was supposed to collect in the supermarket anymore. And I found it strange that everyone around me was speaking Dutch again.

Broad experience

Who should you befriend? That’s a tough question. Cultures differ a lot from each other, but it’s hard to say which one suits you. Stereotypes can sometimes be very real, but not always, of course. I would say, befriend both locals and people from other countries; this will give you a very broad perspective. And watch out with people who have the same nationality as you — after all, that’s not really why you came abroad, right?

Food

Too much fried food!

Don’t be afraid of the time

The biggest tip: don’t think about the short duration of your stay and don’t be afraid of the inevitable goodbye. Short friendships can be very intense at the same time, and in the end, it’s very useful to have friends from all over the world.

New Yorkers in three words:

Ambitious, exciting, open