Relocation Information

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

Last night students traveled to Hoboken and Brooklyn (Cobble Hill neighborhood) to look at apartments. It is important for students to see for themselves the different neighborhoods in the city. Alumni talked to students about cost, commuting, and other important information they should think about before they start the renting process.

Kirsten Lueck and Lauren Murphy talk about their apartment in Hoboken

Pizza break in Hoboken

Katie Sherman and her boyfriend talk about their experience with renting in NYC

Personal Finance Workshop

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

On Monday morning a 2009 Elon grad, Karen Hartshorn, spoke to my students about personal finance. She created a checklist of how students can begin thinking about their own finances, investing, and retirement.

All students received a copy of Suze Orman’s The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke. The book is comprehensive and a must-read for recent graduates.

Thrifty Living

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

On Saturday I took some bridges and undergrad students to my favorite second-hand clothing store in the city called Buffalo Exchange. Buffalo Exchange has stores all over the country and there is one conveniently located five blocks from us in Chelsea. When you’re living in the most expensive city in America and you’re on a budget knowing how to shop on the cheap is important.

Ending the 1st Week

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

A mixture of tears and raindrops ended the 1st week of the bridges program. Some students and I went to the sobering 9/11 Memorial this morning. The memorial is something everyone should see, especially for these students who are moving to the city.

Students by the South Tower Memorial Pool

Artisanal Cheeses, Arsty Alumni, Astoria

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

I don’t know how many times I say this but Elon alumni are simply the best. To say last night was great would be an understatement. One of my favorite Elon alumni, Dan Belmont, led the students around Astoria, Queens and showed them 2 apartments in the area. He talked about cost, location, commuting, safety and the pros and cons of living in Queens. He first took us to his friend Casey’s apartment and then took us to his apartment to compare.

Students talking with Casey (another Elon alum) about her apartment

Picture with the group in her huge hallway

Dan had a great spread of cheeses, fruits, and Gus sodas to share with bridges

Dan invited over other Elon alumni-what a fun night!

Free day at FIT, Central Park, and the Met

Created by: Sarah McDowell, bridges participant

This Thursday we had a free day so some of us decided to visit a few museums during our free time.  First, we visited the Fashion Institute of Technology exhibit a few blocks over from where we are staying in Chelsea. It was a free exhibit so it was a great opportunity to take advantage of.  The exhibit was called Retrospective and it detailed the fashion evolution from Egyptian and Roman times to modern day.  It was awesome to see how fashion trends are recycled through the years.

Keeley, Lauren, Me, and Sam in front of the FIT.

Dress in the FIT exhibit.

We also ventured out to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We took the Subway up to Central Park West and cut through the park to the museum.  It was nice to walk around the park even though it was a little cloudy out.  It’s good to know that in the city there is a huge park to escape to.

Sam, Me, and Lauren in Central Park.

Walking path in Central Park.

The museum is huge and we did not have enough time to see everything!  But we walked through the American Wing and looked at all of the paintings and sculptures.  One of my favorite paintings one of Union Square in 1892.

Winter in Union Square by Childe Hassam.

We had such a great time during our free day in the city. There is so much history to this city and it is great to be able to witness all of the great historical clothing and art.

-SARAH MCDOWELL

Who are the bridges participants?

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

You might be asking yourself,  “Who are these brave students who moved to the biggest city in America only 7 days after graduating from college?” Excellent question. Below are the students and their interests:

Back row L to R: Emily Swapp: fashion public relations, Kate Augustus: elementary education, Kari Pervell: museum work and education management, Brette Baumhover: food and interior design, Nicole Monge: public relations agency doing brand development,  Lauren Ludlow: fashion public relations,  Samantha Siberini:  production company specifically children’s TV

Front row L to R: Chad West: lighting and electrics for theatre or ballet, Keeley Franklin: public relations firm involved in sustainability, healthcare, or brand marketing, Sarah McDowell: non-profit work

Internships and Jobs

Over the past 8 weeks the bridges students have been looking for jobs and internships. I am happy to report that 4 of the 10 participants have a summer internship or job!

Nicole Monge is interning at NYcreative interns. It is the “largest meetup for interns and recent grads in the country.” She is assisting the director with social media efforts.

Lauren Ludlow is interning at Lividini & Co. They focus on marketing and communications programs for fashion, retail, and lifestyle brands. Clients include Saks Fifth Avenue, Urban Outfitters, Coach, Lord & Taylor, Walmart, Jack Wills, Scoop NYC, Georg Jensen and many others. Lauren is assisting in the execution of action plans developed for each client. She will also support the coordinators in executing tactics developed by the manager and also report on day-to-day activities to the Senior Director, Director and Vice President. In addition, she will assist in retail strategy, brand development, client relations, engagement marketing, and administrative efforts.

Sarah McDowell is interning at a non-profit called Sexual Health Innovations. The organization uses technology to improve sexual health. She is a graphic designer.

Kari Pervell is working at the Chelsea International Hostel and helping guests from all over the world.

These are all unique opportunities and I am excited to see all they will learn this summer!

Relocation Information with Alex and Rebecca in Chinatown

Tonight we visited the apartment of 2 former bridges students, Alex and Rebecca. They live in Chinatown off of East Broadway. They informed students about the rental process and their experiences last year with a broker. We will be visiting apartments throughout the city this week and next to compare neighborhoods and geographic locations.

Chinatown

Students ordering at Dim Sum Go Go

Experiencing Chinese culture

Touring the apartment

Great view from the roof!

Exploring Chelsea

Created by: Ashley Pinney, bridges to NYC Coordinator

This morning students explored their neighborhood of Chelsea. We visited the famous High Line, discovered a couple great brunch places and the best bakery in town, Billy’s Bakery. Students also bought their subway passes and we reviewed the subway system.

Us on the High Line

Sarah and Brette using transportation apps

Becoming pros of the Subway system