By Chloe Baker, Senior Opinions Editor
For my life thus far, I have always been a suburban girl living in a suburban world. While strip malls, grassy fields and Walgreens stores that don’t have everything locked up might be ideal for some, I have always found love and the joy of life in city atmospheres.
I am attracted to the hustle and bustle of New York City. Upon living here for almost two years, the rush and business has found its way to my heart, and really began to feel like another variation of home. I live for the vivaciousness, the culture, the people, the views and the overall New York experience.
No day is the same, and boring doesn’t exist here (except for maybe spending a study day in the library). When I am asked what my favorite thing about the city is by friends and family who don’t live in NYC, I simply reply “walking around.” Aside from loving to get my steps in, there is always something to see in the city, whether it’s a new neighborhood to visit, a cute store to pop into, a coffee shop you’ve never been to before or a guitarist performing on the street who actually happens to be really talented. You never know what you’ll find.
That’s why, when picking my classes last semester, I decided to enroll in a fascinating course in the Art History department called “Architecture of NYC.” The course is offered every couple of semesters and can fulfill an Art History requirement (or in my case, can be taken as a general elective). It is an honors-level course that explores New York City, from its early beginnings as a Dutch trading colony to what became known as the city that never (well sometimes) sleeps.
The most exciting part about this class is that it doesn’t take place inside a physical classroom. Instead, every Friday morning, we venture out to a different neighborhood, building or park to learn about both the history behind it and its architectural design. While the class starting in January presented its challenges with the harsh NYC winter, the uniqueness of the course and the amount of knowledge we acquire in just three hours every week is undeniable and worth the cold and extra layers.
From walking through Central Park and exploring the Jewish history of the Lower East Side, to touring a Broadway theater that once housed Studio 54 and riding the Roosevelt Island tram, this class has taken students on a journey through the many layers of New York City – and has given me a deep appreciation for its richness and complexity.
The amount of history that exists here and the amount of history currently in the making inspires me to look at things around me differently. By living in New York City, I am making the choice to be part of something bigger than myself. This is a city that for generations, many immigrants from all over the world came to, looking for more opportunities and a better life. Although sometimes on my walk home I find myself getting agitated by tourists stopping every five feet to take photos of the Empire State building, I often reflect upon the fact that people travel here from all over the world to experience the New York City magic, while I get to see and feel this magic just by stepping outside of my dorm building.
I write this article not to force anyone to take a Friday class, but with the intention of encouraging you to look at the city differently. Think about what it means to live here. Learn about and internalize the history. Interact with people who are different from you. Go on walks and talk to people. We are so privileged to live inside the ‘YU bubble,’ but I promise you, there is so much out there beyond the doors of 245 Lexington Ave.
Photo Caption: The Stern NYC Architecture class visiting the Moxy Hotel rooftop
Photo Credit: Aviva Novick