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Tulsa, Oklahoma, is one of the United States’ most dynamic and diverse cities. Located at the center of the country, Tulsa is made up of people from all backgrounds and has a complex and interesting history. It’s also home to NYU’s newest study away location. NYU Tulsa opens its doors spring 2025 and offers students a unique learning experience.

NYU Tulsa? You might ask. Give it a chance. It might surprise you—it will definitely change you.

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Explore Courses That Reflect Tulsa’s Unique History

Tulsa is located at the geographical center of the country. What’s more, it’s made up of people from all cultures and backgrounds and has a rich and complex history. At NYU Tulsa, each class is crafted by local faculty to create an only-in-Tulsa opportunity.

Learn about Indigenous culture by engaging with the local Native arts scene. Or study clean energy from Tulsans who are leading the nation in efforts to ensure the country’s green energy future. Additionally, your coursework at NYU Tulsa lets you honor the legacy of Historic Greenwood District and Black Wall Street by connecting you with city leaders who are engaging in community activism. From politics and social work to urban development and engineering, NYU Tulsa has many exciting classes for you to explore.

“Indigenous studies is a big part of the curriculum,” says Rex Xu, an Economics major. In fact, Rex spent the summer in Tulsa interning with Atento Capital. “For people who are interested in Indigenous culture, there’s no better place to study than Tulsa, Oklahoma.”

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Experience Internships That Impact Both You and the World Around You

When you intern in Tulsa, you have the opportunity to make a real impact on a growing city’s development. NYU Tulsa offers many experiential and immersive learning opportunities. You’ll make connections with a network of people who are reimagining the city and creating new, innovative spaces and resources for its growing community. Plus, through NYU’s strong partnerships with local organizations, every student has the opportunity to take part in an internship.

Chloe Stone is a sophomore double-majoring in Politics and Spanish and Linguistics. She spent her summer in Tulsa interning with Avanzando Juntos, a nonprofit that empowers Latino entrepreneurs and small business owners–many of whom are immigrants.

“Being in Tulsa made me reconsider my future,” she says. During her internship Chloe worked alongside Avanzando Juntos’ all-female founders. What’s more, she helped forward their mission of enhancing the success of Tulsa’s Latino community. “I want to go into politics; I want to become a lawyer. I always thought I’d have to be in California, New York, or Washington, DC, to really make a difference. But in a city like Tulsa, I’m doing hands-on work. And I feel like I’m making a difference every single day.”

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Enjoy Tulsa’s Cool Cultural Scene Alongside a Community of Fellow Change-Makers

From world-class museums to a booming restaurant scene, Tulsa offers plenty to explore. Comparing it to Portland and Austin, Thrillist called Tulsa “endearingly weird, unconventional, unafraid to color outside of the lines and take risks.” Meanwhile, with the Bob Dylan Center, Philbrook Museum of Art, and a diverse and dynamic local arts scene, Architectural Digest coined Tulsa a “must-see destination for lovers of art and culture.”

“Tulsa is a beautiful city,” says Melody Jiang, who interned with the City of Tulsa’s City Design Studio. She’s a junior majoring in Art History and Urban Design and Architecture Studies. “I thought it was going to be a tumbleweed town. The Wild West, like the movies, but it’s so beautiful. The art deco architecture is incredible, and the city is very green. Also, the people are amazing. Tulsa’s a big city, but it has this small-town vibe.”

Indeed, the Tulsa community is made up of people from all backgrounds making it a city where it’s easy to find community and connection. There’s also a growing number of entrepreneurs, innovators, and activists who are stepping into leadership roles and making real, visible change throughout Tulsa and beyond.

“Initiatives like the Greenwood District and the legacy of Black Wall Street have been working to preserve and promote Tulsa’s important history,” says Moorea Swango. A junior double-majoring in Global Liberal Studies and Public Policy, she spent her summer in Tulsa interning with the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. “The connection to Native History and the continually growing immigrant population are also important elements that the nonprofit sector has been working to navigate. This has made the nonprofit community all the more intertwined in their missions and deeply rooted in local culture. You can truly see the overlap and feel the genuine connection. It makes for a rewarding environment to be a part of.”

Kelly McHugh-Stewart is Assistant Director of Content Strategy and Development for NYU’s University Relations and Public Affairs Office of Marketing Communications. Through her writing, she seeks out and enjoys telling stories that help people understand the world through a new lens. Kelly holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University. Her reporting and personal essays have appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, CNN Opinion, and Sports Illustrated, among others.