The New York Way - Study Abroad

The New York Way was an opportunity to shadow agencies and professionals in their daily responsibilities. This study abroad program was an intense two-week experience of travel and study that allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the structure, operations and culture of agencies and media outlets in New York. This immersion into a fast-paced competitive market provided an excellent sense of the diversity for career opportunities in advertising and public relations. Upon our return, we developed and delivered presentations to industry professionals and classmates on the insights gained from the experience.

We visited a sundry of agencies while in New York. Some of which included McCann, Google, Ogilvy, Anomaly, Havas, Saatchi & Saatchi, Droga5, R/GA and many others. Nothing was more refreshing than the energy that filled each room during our visit. Anomaly and Havas were the agencies I was most impressed with. Anomaly because of their case studies and work environment, and Havas because of their company culture, work, strategy, and values. Havas’s company culture is hands-off, there is no ladder, and they give their employees proper recognition — “Breaker of the month.” I was also happy to learn they participate in Monday breakfasts, wellness fairs, holiday parties, and sports teams. I had an appreciation for the range of things one could do if employed at Havas including next-level campaigns, brand strategy, social marketing, advertising, health & wellness, and engagement planning.

A NEW YORK TREAT

Winter Village at Bryant Park

During our trip we had a great amount of free time that allowed us to see the holiday lights and participate in the winter festivities. Our favorite was The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is Manhattan’s winter wonderland. We enjoyed the ice skating rink, holiday shops, and rinkside eats at The Lodge Deck by Urbanspace. This European-inspired open-air market hosted artists from New York City and around the world. The shops were housed in custom-designed kiosks, each more unique than the next. I ended up purchasing a small art piece by a local artist and a delicious cheesecake flavored chimney cake.

Elm Street Diner

Stamford, Conneticut

Featured in “Six extreme Connecticut milkshakes that are perfectly Instagrammable” by Hartford Courant, Elm Street Diner delivers next-level milkshakes that make every experience an elaborate one. While I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting this diner for the past two years, it has been in Stamford for 32 years. From pancake and waffle towers loaded with peanut butter and chocolate fudge to burgers spilling rivers of cheese, their menu is every foodie's dream. A classmate and I were lucky enough to visit Elm Street Diner during our trip thanks to my best friend, Gavin, who lives nearby in Norwalk.

The City Lights

9 agencies, 5 crazy shakes and a lot of Christmas trees later, it was a long 7 days. Despite getting sick on the trip and having a terrible hostel stay in Chelsea, I left New York with a sense of contentment. I knew that I was pursuing a career in exactly what was right for me in a field that drove me. I was leaving with so many professional connections, I felt I had the city at my feet and it was mine to conquer.