Tag Archives: travel

Next Stop, Brooklyn!

Hey everyone,

Happy Weekend! Last week we talked about the Bronx, this week let’s talk about Brooklyn. The part of Brooklyn I am most often in is Williamsburg. With the weather on the rise, I feel that it is definitely worth the visit. My favorite part of Williamsburg is the Waterfront, which has a ton of seating and a dock. Here you can have lunch outside, go for a walk, or just catch some sun. Bedford Avenue is one of my favorite stops for food. They have any food you can imagine- from Mexican, to Japanese, to Thai, to even a simple deli sandwich. I have only explored a small portion of Brooklyn myself. The next stop on my list is Smorgasburg, which is also on the Williamsburg Waterfront. Smorgasburg is a market with different food stands from a variety of restaurants etc. Some of the vendors are very well-known around the city, such as Ramen Burger, Home Frite, and Big Mozz. I cannot wait to visit now that it feels like the cold is finally gone for good! What are you favorite parts of Brooklyn? Any recommendations?
Need to get back into Manhattan? Skip the subway! On nice days, I opt. for the East River Ferry. The ferry takes you right from Williamsburg to East Midtown. You can get to Bedford Avenue via subway by taking a train that transfers to the L train. I usually take the ACE downtown from Penn Station and transfer to the L train. From there, it takes me right to Bedford Avenue!

Where’s the next place you want to explore? Until next week…
Annmarie X

Out-of-state School Break Tips!

It’s that time of the year! The semester is ending, and preparations for the journey back home (if you dorm) are underway! Coming from the suburbs of Southern California, here are some helpful tips I take in consideration getting ready for winter break!

First of all, make sure to pack wisely! – nuff said! Overweight luggage give you unwanted fees! Most airlines have a limit of 50 lbs. per checked bag, and don’t worry, your belongings are safe to be left in your room!
Make sure you are at the airport/train station/bus terminal early and prepared to board! Major airports can have lines that take up to an hour to go through, so don’t miss your flight by arriving 2 hours before your departure!
Find the best deals for you! – As we all know, traveling can be expensive. By researching thousands of websites out there that are touting the lowest rates. I personally use Google Flights, which monitors pricing and gives you real-time statistics. SUPER helpful!

Mariano’s Survival Guide: LA-NYC

Being bi-coastal has it’s pros and cons. Winter Break is ironically a breeze, but Summer Break sure does bring on the heat when it comes to bringing everything back home. Here are a couple of tips I recommend if you’re far, far, away from NYC.

1. Get a storage unit:

Manhattan Mini Storage has great deals for students. Getting a unit will save your live come summertime when you are left to travel with ALL of your belongings back home on a 6-hour flight, say bye to that extra luggage fee.

2. Change the way you pack:

Simply organizing your things differently will help you stuff some more things into your luggage. Start with shoes at the bottom and work your way up the body. Keep clothes ROLLED not folded and make sure all of your liquids on carry-on are not over 3.4oz!

3. Prepare for the weather back home:

New York has bi-polar weather, just like it’s counterpart Los Angeles, however, when it blazing hot here it can be a rain-fest over there, and vice-versa! Keep up with the weather updates when travelling and try to wear easy layers on flights to ensure weather protection!

Notes From the 6 Train: Let’s Go!

(At my birthday party in South Korea)

This past Wednedsay I went (by went, I mean was obligated to attend, lol) to International Night hosted by the Presidental’s Honor’s Program. Buuut, I am so glad that I did! I learned about a number of interesting programs/ opportunities possible for FIT Students.

At the colloquium we heard from a number of scholars who studied abroad within the last school year (winter, summer, as well as the traditional school year). One of which was a fellow FIT blogger Emily (shout out!). We heard their travel stories and saw their beautiful photos from Paris, India, Florence, Italy, in addition to a host of other countries.A topic that was discussed in great detail, and rightly so, was how to fund a trip abroad. I find this to be student’s primary obstacle in regards to studying abroad, so I’m glad it was covered so thoroughly.

( Walking to the Buddha)

Funding for study abroad is the same as studying domestically (financial aid, PELL grant, out of school grants or loans), but there are also a number of scholarship offered only for studying abroad. The scholarships to study abroad at FIT are listed below:

Global Scholar Award Program, the amount varies depending on the semester you plan to travel, NY residency, etc. (Summer 2015, Fall 2015 and Spring 2016). The deadline is Dec. 1

If you are/ are considering in the Presidental Scholar’s Program you are eligable for the scholarhsips listed below:

Jerome L. Greene Foundation International Studies Fund (up to $10,000)

Jodi Tilton Memorial Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad ($2000)

Henry Wolf Presidential Scholars Summer Abroad Scholarship (up to $5000).

These are in addition to the annual FIT scholarships and can also be applied to study abroad. This also does not mean that your search for funding stops here, there are countless scholarships offered outside of FIT.

In addition to studying abroad, representative from The Peace Corps & The Fulbright Program came to speak.

The Peace Corps is an organization that sends volunteers to travel overseas to make differences in the lives of real people. They program was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Sine the creation of the program over 215,000 Americans joined the Peace Corps and served in 139 countries.

(!)

“The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.”

There are two different components of Fulbright. Anyone who chooses to apply can submit an application for the study/research grants or to teach English abroad. This program is interesting to me personally because it gives more freedom to the applicant. As long as your study/ research programs fits into certain parimeters, you can actualize your vision in a foregin country. Nearly anyone can apply; college graduates, artists, writers, scientists, etc., basically anyone with an imagination and drive.

There are so many ways to get out and explore the world! As an avid traveler myself, I know life altering traveling can be. With so many opportunities, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage!

(FIT Study Abroad Scholarships) http://www.fitnyc.edu/12226.asp

(Peace Corps) http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/

(Fulbright Program) http://us.fulbrightonline.org/about

All things Color, Love, & Fashion,
Ayanna L.

Getting my “Fall Fix”

Happy October Blogosphere!

I first wanted to share a fun fact with you all. It’s been exactly one year to the day that I was accepted as a FIT Admissions Blogger! I know that thanks to the trusty “Timehop” app, which I definitely recommend you all downloading on your smartphones. It has been such a great experience writing for the Admission Blog. I am so grateful for this opportunity and to be able to share my experiences at FIT and in NYC with you all! 🙂

It is officially Fall, and I am so happy to be able to “say” that…or “type” that. October is the peak month of the season. I’m a lover of all things October. Bundling up – sweaters, scarves, boots. Pumpkins find their home for the season upon people’s doorsteps. Robust mums step into the spotlight as everyone’s favorite perennial. The air becomes perfectly crisp again, without having the bite of winter air or the weight of summer’s. Yet my favorite change will always be the trees. Ohhh lord, the beautiful trees. Every year feels like a surprise to me, as if I’ve never seen fall foliage. The deep reds, purples, bright yellows and oranges continue to take my breath away. I feel like I’ve been abducted and taken to a new planet – the planet of October. I can’t necessarily say I want to go back to where I came from 😉

New York City is a wonderful city to be in during the fall. However, I have to say I am biased to upstate New York, which is where I grew up. The sights, smells and tastes are what I identify with fall. Pumpkin flavored everything, cider donuts – my personal Fall favorite. Naturally, the fall season begins earlier upstate and works its way down. So, currently the city is slacking a little compared to the beauty of upstate New York.

Since I am not living at home throughout the school year, I make it a point to take a weekend during the fall and travel upstate. I have to get my “fall fix,” as I like to say! Spending time with my family is also a major plus 🙂 So, I chose last weekend as that weekend for my fall adventure.

Taking a small trip every month or so is something I definitely recommend to students living in the city. I don’t mean you need to go home all the time. But small excursions are exciting and help to break up your semester. If you’re lucky enough to have grown up only a few hours away from the city, it’s obviously easier and cheaper to take a quick trip home. I feel that my trips home help to keep me grounded. As much as I love the city, it’s calm, quiet and familiar at home. I can breathe fresh air and enjoy nature. I can recharge and come back to the city fresh faced.

It was a truly wonderful weekend. I am so grateful to have been able to spend time with my friends and family and enjoy all the beauty of fall in upstate New York. Here are some highlights:

One of the days, my mother, Mindy, sister, Kate, her puppy, Jax and I went apple picking! As must do if you truly want to get the fall experience. It was a beautiful day when we ventured to a local apple orchard. As you know, New York is famous for their delicious apples!

Mom, Kate & Jax at the orchard! <3

I’m not that short…but the best apples are at the top 😉

GOURD-geous! Get it?

The most beautiful fall foliage is best seen in the Adirondacks, which is a famous state park located in TRUE upstate New York. It’s filled with mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and streams. One of the days I went on an amazing hike at the Adirondack Interpretive Center. I can’t begin to explain how beautiful some of the views were, and how relaxing and quiet our hike was. I’ll try to let some of the pictures do the talking.

Breathtaking

To be honest, I didn’t want to leave…how could I?!

Thanks for reading, everyone! Get out into nature and enjoy this beautiful season!

Peace and Love,

Brendan