Do Students Take Advantage of New York City?
Part Two
Liz Harris
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Although Manhattan College is located in the Bronx- a train ride away from New York City- and is advertised as a school that offers campus life and an urban experience, many students do not travel into the city. Two students, freshman Courtney Cruz and senior Suzy Kenly, commented on the issue, and both agreed that a student's urban experience depends on the individual.
Courtney Cruz, a freshman from Brooklyn who lives on campus and stays on weekends, does not think students take advantage of New York City because most of Manhattan College's population is from the Tri-State area. She said, "I didn't choose this school because it's close to the city. I'm from Brooklyn, so the city is closer to my house than it is to the school. I can visit it at home whenever I want. I don't think people from New York City and Long Island are as excited about being near Manhattan. A lot of students are from Connecticut and New Jersey, so it's easy for them to get into the city when they are home. Why would they want to spend every weekend in the city if they can do that at home?"
Cruz also argued that the majority of students who go into Manhattan do not engage in cultural activities. She said, "From what I've seen, people don't seem to go in for cultural things unless there is some sort of special exhibit like the Gates. Many don't take advantage of museums or operas unless it is assigned by a professor."
Cruz, however, feels that students absorb more from a cultural activity if it is a class requirement. She said, "A lot of students will walk around a museum, take notes, and really examine things because they want a good grade. If you went in yourself you might skip exhibits or not pay as much attention. I think teachers assign projects involving the city because some kids wouldn't go in on their own."
Partying, however, motivates many students to travel into the city at night.
Cruz said, "When I think of New York City, I think of its nightlife. It's the city that never sleeps. I think most kids do use the city to party at night- there's a young crowd at most of the places I've gone to. Partying is the main reason I go in at night. And a lot of students will go into the city to drink because there aren't many places to go around Manhattan College. "
Courtney Cruz, a freshman from Brooklyn who lives on campus and stays on weekends, does not think students take advantage of New York City because most of Manhattan College's population is from the Tri-State area. She said, "I didn't choose this school because it's close to the city. I'm from Brooklyn, so the city is closer to my house than it is to the school. I can visit it at home whenever I want. I don't think people from New York City and Long Island are as excited about being near Manhattan. A lot of students are from Connecticut and New Jersey, so it's easy for them to get into the city when they are home. Why would they want to spend every weekend in the city if they can do that at home?"
Cruz also argued that the majority of students who go into Manhattan do not engage in cultural activities. She said, "From what I've seen, people don't seem to go in for cultural things unless there is some sort of special exhibit like the Gates. Many don't take advantage of museums or operas unless it is assigned by a professor."
Cruz, however, feels that students absorb more from a cultural activity if it is a class requirement. She said, "A lot of students will walk around a museum, take notes, and really examine things because they want a good grade. If you went in yourself you might skip exhibits or not pay as much attention. I think teachers assign projects involving the city because some kids wouldn't go in on their own."
Partying, however, motivates many students to travel into the city at night.
Cruz said, "When I think of New York City, I think of its nightlife. It's the city that never sleeps. I think most kids do use the city to party at night- there's a young crowd at most of the places I've gone to. Partying is the main reason I go in at night. And a lot of students will go into the city to drink because there aren't many places to go around Manhattan College. "