Day Trips Around NYC

I'd like to share one of my greatest experiences in NYC, actually, not exactly in NYC... today I spent the day in a city called Cold Spring, just an 1h30 from Manhattan by train. A place with great views, trails for hiking activities, cute antique stores, and so on..


One of my friends found out a website where you can find other cities around NY for a day trip or for the weekend; very practical!!

http://www.escapemaker.com/ny/coldspring/coldspring.html#thi

MORE INFO ON HOUSING!!!

Hey, someone forward me this link from Columbia; it contents links to leasing offices, no broker fee apartments etc.

Check it out: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ire/ocha/links.html#lmc

Looking for new housing...

Some of you have already looked for housing in NY before. I was lucky in the beginning of the MBA to find an apartment in NYU housing at Stuyvesant Town, but now they are raising the rent to the SKY!! So, I'm searching for a new place...

I'd like to share some of the lessons I learned by looking for housing:

1st lesson: unless you are very lucky, you won't find a nice 1 bedroom apartment (looking new, good space, amenities etc.) for less than $2,800 (this is as May 2007). Maybe, you will find a good studio for less than that...

2nd lesson: the best option if you are looking for a good space in a nice building is to look for something outside Manhattan, like: Roosevelt island, New Jersey, Brooklyn.

3rd lesson: don't forget that any broker will cost you 15% of your annual rent. ALWAYS ask if the apartment has broker fee or not. Some of them can charge you 12%.

Well, those are my lessons so far... Feel free to add your comments here!

Tilda's Tips for Enjoying NYC

Restaurants:
- French, Bistro
168 Avenue B, New York 10009 (Btwn 10th & 11th St )
Phone: 212-677-4787

- 7A Cafe ($$)
Diners & Coffee Shops
109 Avenue A, New York 10009 (At 7th St )
Phone: 212-475-9001

- B Cup ($)
East Village Cafe
Coffeehouses, Sandwiches
212 Avenue B, New York 10009 (At 13th St )
Phone: 212-228-4808

- Bao 111 ($$$$)
Vietnamese, Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim
111 Avenue C, New York 10009 (Btwn 7th & 8th St )
Phone: 212-254-7773

- Cafe Mogador ($$)
Moroccan, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
101 Saint Marks Pl, New York 10009 (Btwn 1st Ave & Ave A )
Phone: 212-677-2226

- Cafe Orlin ($$$)
Middle Eastern
41 Saint Marks Pl, New York 10003 (Btwn 1st & 2nd Ave )
Phone: 212-777-1447

- Esperanto ($$$)
Spanish, Latin American, Tapas
145 Avenue C, New York 10009 (At 9th St )

- Gnocco ($$$)
Italian
337 E 10th St, New York 10009 (Btwn Ave A & Ave B )
Phone: 212-677-1913

- Le Miu ($$$$)
Japanese, Sushi
107 Avenue A, New York 10009 (Btwn 6th & 7th St )
Phone: 212-473-3100

- Max ($$$)
Italian
51 Avenue B, New York 10009 (Btwn 3rd & 4th St )
Phone: 212-539-0111

- Pizza Gruppo ($)
Pizza
186 Avenue B, New York 10009 (Btwn 11th & 12th St )
Phone: 212-995-2100

- Rue-B ($$)
Sandwiches, Bistro
188 Avenue B, New York 10009 (Btwn 11th & 12th St )
Phone: 212-358-1700

- Boatbasin café View and beer.http://www.boatbasincafe.com/
- Rare Bar & Grill ($$$) The Shelburne Hotel Burgers,American (Traditional) 303 Lexington Ave, New York10016 Btwn 37th & 38th St
- Nice Terrace roof.Penelope 159 Lexington Ave (Cross Street: 30thStreet) New York, (212) 481-3800 Brunch

Outside activities:
- One of the best trips is around the East and Hudson until the George Washington Bridge River by bicycle
- Central Park summer concerts Music in central park: http://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/music
- Bryant Park Summer Cinema: http://www.jimsdeli.com/events/bryant-park-film/default.htm
- Pier 17 concerts check it in the website.

Beaches:
- Jones Beach.http://www.nysparks.com/parks/info.asp?parkId=46
- Coney Island http://www.coneyisland.com/

Thanks Tilda!!!

Where Study English in NYC

Hello Girls here I sent more information about where study English in NYC
It places are very convenient in prices.

92Y New York international center (NYIC)
Here you find Classes of Art, dance, music, fitness, personal development, writing and more
for all ages
http://www.92y.org/


The International Center in New York (ICNY)
is located at 50 West 23rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
Discussion and Lecture Classes- Practical and Training Workshops- Cultural and Social Programs
http://www.intlcenter.org/
Email: icny@intlcenter.org

ALCC American Language
The school is inside the Pennsylvania Hotel - on 7th Avenue between West 32nd street and West 33rd street –
http://www.learnenglish.com/locations.htm

The New York Public Library
English Conversation Class
English Classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Space is limited-Classes are open to adults (age 16 or over).
http://www.nypl.org/classes/esol.html

Girls Pic Nic

Besides the not very good and unstable weather, today some of the girls met for a Pic Nick at Stuyvesant Town.

If only the sun was there it would have been perfect, but at least we had a great chat and had the chance to catch up with all the gossips!! We shared a typical Argentinian Mate: delicious and perfect to stand the cold wind that was bothering us there. rssrsrs....

By the way, we were 2 brazilians, 3 argentines and 1 spanish.
Next time I hope the weather will be better and more people will be motivated to go. The significant others, includiong kids, will be more than welcome to participate.

Check out some of the pictures:

Celebrating Different Cultures

Sorry I haven't been posting.. that's why I invited a lot of friends to be author in this blog t, but no one seemed to care.. tztztztz... juts kidding, anyone just feel free to write in this space whenever you want!!

Anyway, as some of you know, last week was the Passport Day, when international students from NYU organized an event in which each country representatives made something typical, such as food, dance or anything specific of their culture.

I wasn't able to be there, but I helped my husband to prepare two of the typical Brazilian snack foods: pao-de-queijo (cheese bread) and brigadeiro (mix of condensed milk + chocolate). Both are delicious!!! And it is very easy to make brigadeiro...

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE A BRAZILIAN BRIGADEIRO!!

If any of you would like to share a typical receipe from you ciuntry, please feel free!



By the way, click here to see more pictures of the Passport Day.

Farewell MBA 2007

This is not a very useful post in terms of NY survival guide, but I'd like to dedicate it to my beloved friends that will be soon returning to their home countries (or not): The MBA 2007 SSOs!

It is very important to point out that the friendship and solidarity athmosphere, which I encontered when I arrived as a SSO MBA 2008 was very important for my adjustment in NYC.

Finally, the message is: we have to keep the tradition of receptioning the new-comers-SSOs, and I hope that this blog, some day, will help this to be perpetuated.

Take a look at some pictures taken in our Farewell Happy Hour with the Latin American SSOs yesterday - April 10th. Not all the SSOs were able to go, but we had a lot of fun!!!

Cheap Weekend Trips Around New York

New York can be a fascinating city, with a bunch of different things to do, but sometimes it is good to spend the weekend outside the city...

I've traveled to some places not too far from NYC:

- Washington DC
I loved the city.. it is sooooo clean!! Lots of great museums, memorials, parks, streets full of stores and Young people (Visit M street!)

Easiest and cheaper way to get to DC: Vamoose - $25 each ride!! its a bus that goes only NY-DC, takes 4 hours. You get it at Pen Station and leaves you right next t a subway station that can take you to DC.

Other options: Train - comfortable and quicker trip, but more expensive from $70 to $200 depending on the time, for each round trip. There are other options to go by bus, car and flying. Click here

Other places that I've visited this season: Hunter Mountain, Windham, Stratton Mountain - those are all ski stations, and when the winter comes back I can write about it again to give some tips. MUST GOS!!!

Now I've been planing to go to Boston, but I still have to figure out what to do there besides visiting Harvard and MIT Campus. Any ideas??

Looking for Volunteer Jobs!

Some SSOs, like me, were definitely not born to be housewives... I have been working since I was 18 years old, and I can't stand being at home or not having an occupation.

With the F2 Visa, which most of us have, we hardly have rights in this country; but we are allowed to do volunteers and pro-bono works. This is a great opportunity to make social works, meet people, practice the language and add experience in our resumes!!

Anyway, I was able to get into a few projects in different organizations, and that have been keeping me busy and happy in NY.

I suggest to:

1) Subscribe at the Idealist website: http://www.idealist.org/
Is a site dedicated to find jobs at non-profits

2) Take a look at Taproot Foundation: http://www.taprootfoundation.org/
The Taproot Foundation strengthens nonprofits by engaging business professionals in service.

3) Check Craigs-list: http://www.craigslist.com/
This site is useful for anything. Take a look in there too...

4) Take a look at: http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=26323
Very good!! Easy to find something in your location and according to your interest!!

Language Lessons

I know that some of the SSOs have had languages lessons in different places (OISS, SCPS NYU,...)

I didn't take any courses, but I have heard of one that is really affordable. It is on the International Center: http://www.intlcenter.org/

Anyone knows about other courses?? Add a comment to this post, this information can be useful for other SSOs.

Metro International - Site for International Students in NYC

Hey,

I found a website specialized in services for international students and spouses in NYC - is not as dynamic as this blog :) , but they are more structured. Well, if interested, its worth a try.

Take a look: http://www.metrointl.org/programs/social.html

OVERVIEW:

Metro International is a private, not-for-profit organization, with a mission to create global learning opportunities for students, educators, and the community, in New York City and beyond.

Metro offers programs and services to the 50,000 international students and scholars affiliated with colleges and universities in the greater New York City area each year. Through Metro programs, visiting students from more than 100 countries interact with American citizens and local residents in ways that enable each group to learn from the other.

Metro also serves as the officially designated coordinator of enrichment programs for visiting Fulbright grantees in the greater New York area.

The goal of Metro's activity is to ensure that students who study in New York today return to their home countries having made connections that support positive international alliances tomorrow

Meeting Other International SSOs

Most of the friends I've made here I met during a weekly LABA Happy Hour for spouses। LABA is the Latin American Business Association, where the Latin American students buy membership to participate in meetings and get to know other students from the same region.

Well, this year, the "First Lady" of LABA, Karina Marquez, has been doing a great job!! She organizes meetings, dinners, visit to museums for the SSOs, and when possible it is sponsored by LABA.

Anyway, we have a lot of fun together and I have the opportunity to speak my language
(Portuguese) + improve my Spanish!

Take a look at the NYU website and look for any other clubs/associations that might interests you or your significant other: http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/admissions/fulltime/exceptionalstudents.cfm?doc_id=787

First Steps as a Stern SSO in NYC

As I said before I've been in NYC for 6 months now, and I can say that one of the most important things I did once I arrived here was going to the weekly meetings at the OISS.

The OISS is the Office of International Students and Scholars, they can give assistance regarding anything about the VISA, what you are allowed to or not while living in the USA etc. Moreover, they promote programs and weekly meetings with the spouses on their facility. I've been in some at the beginning at that was really important to get to know other spouses and also hear from the MBA 2 (second year) SSOs how have been their experience here.

ATTENTION: If you are planning to travel and leave the country you HAVE to go there to attend the Travel Workshop and request a signature on your F21 permitting you to travel (they can sign in the same day). Take a look at their website for workshop schedule.

Anyway, it is mandatory to go there and "check-in" once you arrive in the US.

For more information:
NYU Office for International Students and Scholars
561 LaGuardia Place New York NY 10012-1402
Tel. 1.212.998.4720 Fax. 1.212.995.4115
E-mail:intl.students.schholars@nyu.edu

WELCOME SSOs: Stern Significant Others!!!

Hello, this is my first post in a BLOG ever!! I'll try to keep it interesting। By the way, any comments, criticisms, compliments, suggestions etc will be always welcome.

First of all, I'd like to explain what is this blog about:

I've been in New York since August 06, when my husband started his MBA at Stern, and I can guarantee that being an international SSO in NYC is not easy! Fortunately, I've met other international SSOs that have been sharing this experience with me and we always try to help each other in many ways.

Since our husbands, boyfriends, partners or whatever names hardly have time for us, the friendship among the SSOs have been fundamental for my survival in NYC - I believe that is a fact for the others too.

So, I've created this blog to have an open space for sharing good and bad experiences as an international SSO in NYC and tips for any kind of need: shopping, medical care, entertainment, travelling and others.

Feel free to contact me by email: leitaj @yahoo.com