How NYU Students Spend Their Summer Break

I recommend pursuing a personal passion project during the summer. Internships are an amazing way to build your résumé/portfolio and professionally develop yourself. However, personally feeling fulfilled during the summer also comes from taking some time each week to focus on something you love. Whether you are a major foodie and your passion project is something as simple as creating a food account, or you want to tune into your creative side and start a jewelry business, it’s always fulfilling to be able to dedicate time to your hobbies.

Since I’m an international student, I don’t get to see my family during the school year. So I took a month out of my summer to fly home to Taipei. Getting to spend time with my high school friends, grandparents, and the rest of my family will definitely be my summer highlight!

For the rest of the summer, I will be taking some classes that fulfill my Data Science minor. On top of that, I’m working as a research assistant for the EMPOWER Lab and RISE lab. As a student looking to pursue a graduate degree in the field of public health, I’m very excited to be doing extensive research into fields like trauma-informed care this summer.

Last (but definitely not least), I will be working in the admissions office. From giving tours and answering calls to conducting Instagram takeovers for @meetnyu, this will definitely be the highlight of the latter part of my summer.

I think when it comes to summer break, there’s a very narrow definition of what it means to be “productive.” Usually, it means an internship. However, I think there are a lot of different things you can fill your summer with. As an international student, taking time to go home and spend time with my family is very important to me. I don’t get to do this at all during the academic year. I used to feel guilty for taking time out of my summer to go home. However, as a rising senior, I have zero regrets about doing this. Being able to go home for part of my summer has ultimately put me in a better headspace and helped me feel more prepared for the upcoming school year.

This summer I’m spending time at home on Long Island. I’ve been cooking a lot for my friends and family and doing summery things like horseback riding, hiking, and going to a water park. When I’m home, I like to take advantage of the things I wouldn’t be able to do in the city during the school year.

Academically, I’ve been doing a remote research internship about food advertisements in social media and their effectiveness. This project is a great start to building my résumé toward a career in food and nutrition. I opted for a remote internship because I knew I wanted to soak up time at home and relax after my first year. This allows me to enjoy my time at home while still working on something that will benefit my professional life.

You are not lazy or a failure if you didn’t get or don’t have an internship right away. I thought my remote internship wasn’t good enough in comparison to the ones of my peers, but that isn’t true. It works for me, fulfills my needs, and that’s all that matters. Additionally, it’s OK to let yourself enjoy your summers and not work at all. Productivity isn’t working 24/7; it’s finding a balance between work and leisure to avoid burnout. Taking time off is productive because you will feel much more refreshed and ready for what’s to come. If you need a break, support your own needs and take care of yourself. Reflect on your past semester and what you want to improve on. Enjoy the downtime because, soon enough, internships and school work will eat away at it. 

Moreover, don’t compare your progress to others’ progress. Whether it be in your social or professional life. It’s easy to compare and think that you’re lacking in certain areas of your life, but in reality, it’s all in your head. In high school I was so used to being in a friend group, so when I didn’t find a permanent group right away in college, it made me sad to witness groups of friends around me. However, while I was too busy comparing myself, I didn’t realize how good my one-on-one friendships were. Eventually, I did find my permanent group. Just know that your time will come. Whether it’s finding friends, an internship, or a job. Just because it didn’t happen one semester, don’t let it discourage you. Good things take time.

This summer I flew back home to Seoul, South Korea, to see my family! During this time, I started a YouTube channel and a blog.

I wish I knew that summer before college is a great opportunity to explore what my passions are by adventuring into different things. Most importantly, I wish I hadn’t felt so insecure when comparing my summer to others’ summers. Everyone has their own pace and journey.

I am currently in summer school, working as an Admissions Ambassador, and a music tutor. Additionally, I’m volunteering at a New York City hospital in the emergency department while getting certified as a clinical medical assistant by the National Healthcareer Association.

I think summer is a wonderful time to take a moment to rest, hang out with friends, and travel. But it also comes with opportunities to discover your areas of interest, such as attending academic events, internships, volunteering, or research.