Hola! :)
After almost 7 hours up in the air, and a rather interesting ride in one of New York City's re-known yellow taxi cabs, I made it to St. John's University in one piece. And while I already miss my family and home, I am also extremely excited about this new chapter in my life, my Fulbright adventure.
At this point you must be wondering who am I... My name is Jiniva, I am an English teacher and I come from Panama. Yes, the land of The Panama Canal. Two months ago I was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction at Texas A&M University and here I am. During the next coming three weeks I will be attending St. John's Fulbright Pre-Academic Program 2013.
It has been four years since the first time I came to New York City and to me, it looks so much different from what I can remember. It is my first time at St. John's University, though, but I am already pleased with what I will call the St. John's treatment. I had just arrived on campus and a student opened the doors for me so I could get in my massive suitcases with no problem, the staff was really nice and took the time to explain everything in detail, the food was good and healthy, and the amenities fantastic, so far; kudos!
My day went by quickly. But what is in store for the upcoming days? Follow me in this amazing journey as my pre-academic starts and discover with me all that the Fulbright program and St. John's University has prepared for these three weeks!
--Jiniva
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting the blog started, Jiniva! I'm glad you're pleased with your welcome. I'm curious what seems different to you about NYC this time. Enjoy your time in the city!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteWhen I first came to NY it was during winter break, back in 2008. The city was so cold and gloomy-looking. There were more people on the streets and you could hear several languages been spoken as people passed you by, it was crazy. The subway was way more crowded, I guess because of the season. It also looked like there were more restoration works going on around the city. Lots of noise coming from Ground Zero due to the works as well, a bit saddening...
So Jiniva you also had an interesting ride using New York yellow cab. In my case, the taxi driver ask me where do I want to go and I just simply replied with St Johns University and you know what? He took me to St. Johns Uni Queens campus. It was my fault.
ReplyDeleteFunny! My cab driver also wanted to take me to Queens!! I kept insisting I had to go to Manhattan but you know, he lives here so he "knew better." We drove in circles for a while, eventually I had to borrow his smartphone to google SJU and show him that I was right!! What could've been a quick ride became a 1.5 hours trip that costed me $100, how lovely! :(
DeleteInteresting post Jiniva! As for taxis i can see that im not the only one having weird adventures, mine chargec me soo much!! At least i arrived in one piece!! St johns is really a nice place, friendly people and grrrrrrrrrrreaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat location!i have been here for only two days but i feel aso much at home that it seems that i have been here forever, kudos St John's and happy to meet some members of the fulbright fam!
ReplyDelete:) I feel you Gessye! Despite the taxi driver, thank God for great people here, I feel so much welcome!!
DeleteI pretty much agree with the change as I experienced that an hour ago when I went to Time Square with my dear teacher from our UGRAD program who happened to be in NYC this week.
ReplyDeleteI was quite fortunate that she went to pick me up at the airport and showed me how to use the AirTrain to get here. Guess how much i paid to get from JFK to SJU? below 10 bucks :)
Anyway, as you came from Panama, and I have very little knowledge or awareness of your country, I will be asking you a number of questions about your country also - despite coming from a very unknown country called Laos.
I look forward to reading your new posts.
It is so cool that you got to meet up with your teacher here!! I mean, what are the odds!! haha
DeleteBring it on with the questions, I love talking about Panama :) and hey, I'm very culturally aware so I know a bit or two about Laos, especially because we had a Laotian in Humboldt back in my UGRADer days :)) Did you bring pictures? Would be nice to look at them! I prefer people's pictures than having to google places; the look in a person's eyes when they share their stories from looking at their pictures from back home is priceless!
It certainly is a wonderful experience. Even though it was hard to leave our families, I think the goal deserves such effort. About the taxi experience, that guy was F-1 racer, and I almost sleep in the building across the street. Finally, it is so nice to be here, and thanks SJU.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up for making this far! :)
DeleteI think most of us have a thing to say about NY taxi drivers... But I would not trade my time here for anything! Like you had said before, "the goal deserves such effort!"