Studying Away at NYU…with Your Best Friend!

During a late-night study session, Angela and Kathy realized they both had their sights set on NYU Florence as their desired study away location for spring of their sophomore year. “We knew we wanted to go to Florence. As Economics majors, it’s one of the campuses that has the required courses available,” explains Angela.

Knowing they could stay on track academically, they applied and were accepted. Although the Office of Global Programs is a helpful resource for students planning their study away experience, they didn’t need to seek extra support to ensure they could travel together. Just like that, their Italian adventure began!

At NYU Florence, Angela and Kathy took economics classes along with a memorable Italian language class. Their Italian professor brought them into the city to learn the language and assimilate into the new culture. “It was really immersive and rewarding to be able to take our learnings into the real world,” says Kathy.

The friends embarked on several trips together while studying away in Florence, from a journey to Cinque Terre in northwestern Italy to a long weekend in Amsterdam. “Amsterdam was amazing,” recalls Angela. “We wanted to go there for the Tulip Festival, which falls around April. Then, during a layover we found out about a music event that was happening the night we arrived. We decided we had to go. We got to really explore the city, eat good food, and see beautiful sights.”

At the same time, both students enjoyed being on the NYU Florence campus just as much as exploring beyond it. They spent many afternoons studying in the campus gardens. “I think that’s why we got so close,” says Kathy. “We have ‘work hard, play hard’ personalities. When it’s time to get the work done, we’ll hold each other accountable and get through it. But then when it’s time to have fun, we can also do that together.”

After their semester in Florence, Angela and Kathy spent the fall of junior year back in New York City. There, they planned their next adventure. “We both had such an amazing experience studying away in Florence,” says Angela. “Spring of junior year is when most people go abroad, so we had this window to do it again!”

They decided to go to NYU Shanghai, another study away location that offers Economics courses. For Kathy, who is of Chinese descent, and Angela, who is half Chinese, the opportunity to study in Shanghai held special significance. “We were both really excited about the opportunity to be in Asia,” says Kathy. “Plus, the comfort of having each other made the decision to go a lot easier.”

In Shanghai Angela focused on completing her major requirements. Unexpectedly, an Intermediate Macroeconomics class became her favorite due to its small size and discussion-based format, traits she found in many of her courses abroad. “I definitely think being an Economics major and going abroad, specifically to Shanghai, is a really valuable experience,” she says.

Outside the classroom Angela and Kathy went on many adventures in Shanghai. For example, through the Office of Community-Engaged Learning, Kathy traveled to a permaculture farm on an island two hours from the city. “We learned how the farm was created and did bonding activities,” she recalls. “Sitting by a campfire and listening to the farm’s founder tell his story made me want to live a more circular and sustainable lifestyle.” The trip, which was free to attend, is one of the many excursions available for NYU Shanghai students.

Both students’ Chinese heritage added a special layer of meaning to their experience studying away at NYU Shanghai. “My mom was born in Shanghai, and I had never been before the semester,” says Angela. “I felt a personal connection wherever I went, because this is where she was born and raised. I loved every single part of it.”

Reflecting on their travels together, Kathy and Angela feel their friendship has become stronger and more versatile. “I can see how we’ve grown and how far we’ve come since our first year by experiencing different cultures together,” affirms Angela. “I love thinking about how we were just little first-year students, studying for an exam in one of our dorms, and now we’ve traveled to two continents together.” 

At present, Kathy is completing a third semester away at NYU London, while Angela is back in New York City. After graduating next spring, Kathy will begin an analyst program at a French investment bank, while Angela will seek a role in marketing. However, their world travels together are not over. “We both want to pursue our MBAs on the west coast,” says Angela. “So stay tuned for the next episode in our series of us traveling to new places together!”