1. 2960 Broadway, MC 5727  New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854-2804  Fax: (212) 663 -9398
Mahima Chablani
4730 Lerner Hall
2920 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(412) 951-8876
mvc2124@columbia.edu
September 9th, 2012
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Maria Guryeva to you. I came to know Maria this past
summer during her work as a writer for Inside New York, an annual guidebook dedicated to
transforming young newcomers into New Yorkers. As the Neighborhoods Editor for the
publication, I would send writers a list of venues (e.g., museums, parks, cafés, shops, hair salons,
yoga studios) at the beginning of each week. Writers would then sign up for a venue, visit the
venue, and write a 150-word review.
Throughout the summer, Maria would always sign up to review multiple venues in each
neighborhood. Even though many of the venues were located in New York City’s outer boroughs
(i.e., Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx) and can take one to two hours to reach, Maria was
enthusiastic about exploring new neighborhoods. While some writers began writing less frequently
towards the end of the summer, she continued to sign up for reviews until the very end of the
internship. She ultimately wrote over sixty reviews for the book and seven larger pieces
(approximately 500 words) for our online blog.
Maria always submitted her reviews on time and would kindly ask for an extension whenever
necessary. Given the level of detail in her reviews, it was clear that she actually visited the venues
and did not merely research them online. She would comment on the venue’s décor, the crowds
it attracts, the quality of service, and the overall atmosphere. Additionally, she would spend time
taking pictures and asking the owner or manager questions about the venue’s unique history.
Maria has the curiosity and energy necessary for any journalistic pursuit. She wrote more reviews
for the book’s neighborhoods section than any other writer and always maintained a high level of
organization. She would be an enthusiastic asset to any organization.
Sincerely,
Mahima V. Chablani
Neighborhoods Editor
Inside New York 2013
www.insidenewyork.com