As I anticipate my two-week trip to New York City in May, I feel genuinely excited. While the main purpose is to search for jobs in person, that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy my hometown. I look forward to indulging in the fantastic food, tackling the numerous stairs and hills, and revisiting my favorite museums like The Metropolitan Museum. I also love the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the Moving Image.

There’s also visiting the Burnside and 3rd Ave street malls. I get to see friends again and enjoy the nightlife. It’ll be amazing to reconnect with friends and make new ones. Not to mention, the best part of NYC, for me, is the city’s history. For example, Museum Mile, which is a whole street of historical homes and museums. Then there’s Queens, with buildings that used to be factories. There are also Pre- and Post-War buildings that have so much character, it’s wonderful to experience them in person. 

I’ll have the chance to photograph construction sites and soak in the vibrant energy of NYC. I love noticing the quirky shapes created by peeling paint in the subways, as well as the street art and graffiti that enliven neighborhoods. There’s also 42nd Street near the 4/5/6 lines—away from Times Square—that offers fantastic food and shopping. The nearby Fashion District is a fun area to explore too. I want to visit libraries, and I wonder if my favorite $1.50 pizza slices at Fordham are still open.

It’ll be great to visit a chicken spot for a delicious spicy chicken sandwich. The more I reflect on the city I grew up in, the more excited I am to see what has changed in the 4 years I’ve been away. What hidden, hole-in-the-wall places will I discover? Which new businesses have opened that either replace familiar ones or add to NYC’s vibrant culture?

Gosh, despite New York City’s constant evolution, its core spirit remains intact. The hardworking and kind immigrant spirits that built the city continue to define it. The city’s reconstruction over time proves that NYC is not just a city but a relentless force that cannot be broken. While the world changes around it, the true heart of NYC remains unchanged. Even when others try to alter it, NYC is one of the few cities where people understand two things: we fight for what we want and strive to move forward, never backward. Where others see danger, we see opportunities to grow.