NYU Liberal Studies: First Year in Washington, DC

06/24/2019

FACES of
Application Deadline: July 14 | Apply here: https://orgsync.com/78809/forms/366533

Incoming first year away students! Are you interested in representing NYU Liberal Studies and NYU Washington, DC as a FACE of NYU? The FACES Project is an award-winning video series that allows incoming, current and prospective students to get a taste of life at NYU. This project puts a face and a name to the transitioning experience and encourages engagement through the use of storytelling and technology. Each year, approximately 15 incoming students from each school and Global Campus have the opportunity to become FACES and share their unique story with the NYU community.

05/17/2019

Have you wondered what LS students who start at NYU Washington, DC go on to do at NYU and beyond? We recently chatted with graduating senior, Michael Leonetti, about his time at NYU and his plans post-graduation. Read the full interview below and, for those of you about to go to NYU DC in the fall, we hope you're getting excited for an amazing start to your NYU experience!

Meet Michael Leonetti, graduating LS senior majoring in Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in Politics, Rights and Development. Michael spent his first year at NYU Washington, DC and his junior year at NYU Madrid.

Hometown: Malvern, PA
Year & Program: GLS ’19

Describe yourself in three words: Curious, driven, loving.

What’s your favorite pizza topping? Fig sauce from &pizza!

What’s the last good book you read for fun? I’m gonna go with two because both were great. “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and “Ayiti” by Roxane Gay.

What’s the best college internship or extracurricular you’ve had? During my junior year in Madrid I interned for an organization that works with LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in the city. My mentor was an immigration lawyer who did pro bono work for the organization, and as her assistant I met with clients to hear their stories and help craft their case. I admired her for her solidarity with our clients and her ability to deliver for them, and it’s one of the reasons I want to go to law school now.

Name one of the best souvenirs you picked up on your travels: A book called Another Life: Human Flows/Unknown Odysseys, which I bought at the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography in Greece. It’s a compilation of images and writings (including social media posts) about the refugee crisis in Greece by professional photographers, journalists, and refugees. As far as I can tell, it’s one of the only books about the crisis which recognizes the journalistic and artistic contribution of refugees themselves, rather than just relying on the press and European artists.

What’s your favorite thing about Liberal Studies? The people! The faculty and advisors are completely dedicated to our success; I owe so many of my positive experiences during my time in GLS to the pushes and guidance I’ve gotten from them. Just as importantly, the students are incredibly bright and passionate.

What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself? I always thought I wanted to move around as much as possible as part of my career, but after changing places every year for the past four in GLS, I’m looking forward to staying put somewhere for a while.

Any advice for a student considering a Global Liberal Studies degree? Take time to check out the work of GLS students and faculty to get an idea of what you could do in the program. Consider how you’d use the freedom that GLS gives its students, and why it would work better for you than a more structured and collective program at NYU

What are your post-graduation plans? What are you most nervous/excited about? After graduation I’ll be going to Oxford for a master’s degree in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies. I’m crazy excited about Oxford and the Refugee Studies Centre because of the resources it offers for research, the innovative faculty, and the brilliant and diverse students the program attracts. I’m also nervous for all the same reasons.

Can you share any words of wisdom about your experience at LS for the Class of 2023? Make friends across concentrations and study abroad sites. It takes a little more work to keep friendships in GLS because of all the moving around, but it’s worth it. Also, don’t take your time abroad for granted, because it goes really quickly. Really try to learn the language, make friends with locals, and do good work at your internship.

04/30/2019

Calling all FYA DC students: submit your story to the Crossing Borders, Shifting Identities Video Project today!

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Crossing Borders, Shifting Identities Video Project

Share your perspective! Submit your video! Win Prizes!

* What do you wish you had known before studying away?
* What is it like to be you at your site?
* How has your global experience been challenging, affirming, or transformative?

Share a story and give practical tips to future students.

The Liberal Studies Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee seeks short video submissions, up to three minutes, on the diverse and divergent student experiences of identity at the global sites. A selection of videos will be compiled & shared with the LS community to create a space of conversation about study away experiences.

All submitters will be entered into a lottery to win a Google Home Mini or Amazon Fire Stick (9 total available). Items can be picked up at Liberal Studies in New York, now or next semester, or shipped to a US location.

No experience necessary! Please see our Tips and Submission Guidelines at bit.ly/DEIvideoproject before you begin. If you have questions or would like further guidance on making a video, please email Mitra Rastegar, [email protected]. The submission deadline is Sunday, May 12.

This project is organized by the Liberal Studies Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee.

12/11/2018

We love seeing who is featured in the photo contest each year! Check out some of the amazing experiences students studying at NYU Washington, DC have had just this year!

These were submitted by NYU Washington, DC students for the Contest and selected as the Contest winners for the 2018-2019 academic year.

New York University | NYU Office of Global Programs | NYU Liberal Studies | HashtagNYU

10/16/2018

It's always great to hear that the actual experience of spending the first year at NYU DC is even better than was anticipated.

Meet Zach, one of the Humans of :

"As a person who had lived my whole life in Ohio, leaving all I knew to come to NYUDC was not only an adjustment— it was terrifying. I worried I would not meet people with similar backgrounds, values, and goals as myself. Almost immediately upon my arrival, the faculty and student body proved my worries to be all for nothing. NYUDC has been an extremely welcoming, extroverted, and inclusive environment. In just five days, I was exposed to more academic and professional opportunities than I originally thought to be possible."

Stay tuned to hear more from ! 💜

NYU Office of Global Programs | NYU Liberal Studies | New York University

08/24/2018

Hello first year Liberal Studies NYU Washington, DC students! As comes to a close for you all, we wanted to share some insights from an LS student who completed their first year away in DC this past academic year. Meet Meredith Chaffin, a rising sophomore in the Core Program!

Hometown: Bowling Green, Kentucky

Why did you choose to study in Washington DC?
I want to run political campaigns for a living and I eventually want to run for office too. D.C. offers an opportunity unlike any other to fully immerse yourself into the world of politics, and I knew that I couldn’t pass up the chance to do just that.

Activities you participate in at NYU/Liberal Studies/Washington DC?
I was in a variety of clubs on campus, and I even co-led the Women’s Empowerment group for a semester. I also got to intern full-time for Congress during the Spring semester with the House Budget Committee Democratic staff. Through excursions and DC events, I also got to meet four of my political heroes- John Lewis, Joe Biden, Ralph Northam, and Tim Kaine.

Favorite class?
I loved both of the writing courses that I took with Professor Alicia Gleason. Alicia is literally one of the most incredible human beings to ever live and she is absolutely brilliant. Her class taught me to fully immerse myself into my studies and it also taught me how to learn from and trust the writing process. Alicia is the perfect example of the type of academic and the type of woman that I should try to be.

Favorite spot in Washington DC?
My favorite part of DC is 100% anything around the Navy Yard. It’s down by the Anacostia River and it is absolutely gorgeous. There are a ton of parks and green space, and the whole aesthetic of the place is addictive. It reminds me a lot of what DUMBO is like in Brooklyn. I went to a few Nationals games (Nationals Park is in the yards) and I also spent a lot of time at Philz Coffee (literally the best coffee I have ever had… the Mint Mojito was my favorite). I would go get ice cream at Ice Cream Jubilee and then would lay out a blanket and put some music on and just relax down by the water while the boats drove by. Also, being from Kentucky, I needed a place to watch the Derby. There’s a place called Due South that was the only legitimate Southern restaurant in town and they had a Derby Day party; I took a few other students and we spent the afternoon at the yards. It was awesome.

Favorite season in Washington DC and why?
I loved the Spring (or the little of it that we got) in DC. When the Cherry blossoms bloomed and then the leaves and grass started to grow, the city itself seemed to wake up. It was beautiful and make me want to stay outside constantly. DC has a ton of outdoor restaurants and cafes and they are so nice to hang out at during the Spring.

What was your moment this summer? (Where did you travel this summer?)
I spent the Summer in Brunswick, Maine, working for U.S. Senator Angus King’s reelection campaign. I knew that this campaign cycle was too important to pass up, so I was so excited to spend my summer fighting for a candidate that I truly believe in. It is also so cool that I got to spend my first hired campaign experience working for a US incumbent Senator of a high caliber like that of Angus King.

What are you working towards/passionate about?
At the end of the day, I’m simply trying to help people. I see a career in politics as a way to do that. I hope to run political campaigns and then run for political office and spend my career advocating for and fighting for the wellbeing and equality of the American people.

Describe your community:
The DC community that I spent time with was very interesting. We had a wide variety of people, and unlike many past cohorts, ours had significantly less politically oriented students. Everyone was fairly tight knit and I found two of my very best friends while at NYUDC.

Favorite souvenir from travels?
My favorite souvenir from DC is a US House of Representatives Glass mug. My coworkers from my time in congress threw me a going away party and it was the gift that they gave me.

Tips for incoming FYA students?
My biggest tip would be to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can while in DC. I got to work for Congress full time, study full time, and explore one of the greatest cities on Earth. I didn’t sleep a ton, but I made so many incredible memories and connections that will undoubtedly help me out as my academic and career plans.

08/16/2018

Meet the FACES of 2018, including NYU Liberal Studies students Vincent W. (Core Program), Valerie C. (Core Program, starting at NYU Liberal Studies: First Year in London), and Jarrett L. (Global Liberal Studies, starting at NYU Liberal Studies: First Year in Paris)!

07/25/2018

The deadline for FACES has been extended! Apply by today, Wednesday, July 25th, at 11:59pm EST here: tinyurl.com/nyufaces

Apply to be a FACE by tomorrow at 11:59pm EST! If you have any questions feel free to reach out via any of our social media platforms!

Application: www.tinyurl.com/nyufaces

07/16/2018

Be the FACE of NYU Liberal Studies!

The FACES Project is an award-winning video series that allows incoming, current and prospective students to get a taste of life at NYU. This project puts a face and a name to the transitioning experience and encourages engagement through the use of storytelling and technology. Each year, approximately 15 incoming students from each school and Global Campus have the opportunity to become FACES and share their unique story with the NYU community.

Watch previous years' FACES videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLffT6O6KkjhmWgBPEsbyMqRp1kjVVTzX6

Apply here: http://www.tinyurl.com/nyufaces

Application Deadline: Friday, July 20th @ 11:59pm

05/03/2018

Welcome to NYU Liberal Studies, ! We can't wait to welcome you to your first year in Washington, DC.

04/13/2018

Put your talent on the global stage and share your view of the world with fellow students by submitting photos to the sixth annual Liberal Studies Global Photo Contest!

To be considered, submit your entry information and photo submission(s) by Monday, April 16, 2018. Whether you are studying in Paris or taking a day trip to Poughkeepsie, you are invited to submit up to two photos to the annual “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Worlds” Global Photo Contest. Shoot local, capture global! And remember the overall theme of the contest is to depict a global perspective!

5 Prizes will be awarded in each of the following categories:
-Overall Best Photo (Grand Prize)
-Local Life
-Encounters (a social/political/religious event or issue)
-Arts, Architecture, or Landscape
-Liberal Studies Spirit

Note: if a photo includes people, don't forget to ask permission and follow local norms!

PRIZES: Winning photos will be printed, framed, and displayed in the Liberal Studies New York offices for the next academic year. The grand prize winner will receive a $250 prize and the other winners of each photo category will receive a $100 prize from Liberal Studies.

The contest is open to current Liberal Studies students. Submissions must include the name, NYU ID, contact information, contest category and current site of study (NYC or one of the international campuses), and sent through this form:

Create a new survey on your own or with others at the same time. Choose from a variety of survey types and analyze results in Google Forms. Free from Google.

04/05/2018

First-year students: Don't miss out on a chance to be a part of Dean's Circle! Please see below for more information.

Here's a to Dean Mostov visiting Abu Dhabi earlier this semester! If you're currently a first-year student, consider applying to Dean's Circle, which will be traveling to Abu Dhabi next year. Please contact your advisor if you're interested in applying!