The document provides tips for surviving a summer internship in New York City. It begins by explaining the author's initial intimidation with living in New York after growing up in a small town. The tips include finding suitable and safe housing, using the subway system to navigate the city, walking with confidence on busy streets, exploring favorite local spots, and accepting that there will be challenging days but to not quit. The overall message is that interning in New York can be a rewarding experience if you follow these survival strategies.

1. How to Survive a Summer in New York City
So you’ve landed the internship you’ve always hoped for in the city that you’ve only
dreamed of working in, New York City. You’re perfectly qualified for the job, but a re you
prepared to live in the Big Apple?
For me, the answer was no. After living in a small town in Tennessee for 19 years, I
ventured outside of my comfort zone and into a foreign world of irritated drivers, shady
streets and anxiety-inducing crowds.
Joining the 8.4 million inhabitants of New York City was intimidating, and there were
plenty of times of overwhelming uneasiness (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). But overall, my time
as an intern in New York City was an amazing experience. After being a New York City
resident for three months, I’ve come up with these five tips that I wish someone had told me.
1) Find a suitable place to live.
Living arrangements can make or break your time in the big city. While finding a
reasonable apartment can be tricky, it is possible. Do plenty of research on each of the
boroughs of New York City before settling on an area that fits your needs. Safety should be
your number one priority, but location, roommate compatibility and price should also be
considered.

2. The Lower-East Side and Astoria are two neighborhoods that are great options for
college students!
2) The subway is your best friend.
Going from a place where there is no need for underground transportation to a city
that has the largest subway system in the world was a tough adjustment.
In my first weeks of work, I dreaded the 20-minute commute from my apartment in
Union Square to my office in Times Square. But as I started feeling more confident of my new
means of transportation, I began to appreciate the convenience of the subway—not to
mention the money I was saving by not buying gas!
Navigating the subway can be confusing at first, but there are phone apps, like
HopStop, that will give you reliable directions and times to catch the subway. Even the locals
use these, so don’t miss out on this shortcut.
3) Learn to walk like you know what you’re doing.
Walking the streets of New York City is a difficult task for anyone. There’s always
going to be someone trying to sell you something, asking for money or attempting to get
your attention anyway possible. I’d recommend investing in a great pair of shades for the
summer. Avoiding eye contact is key, and when you can’t help but look, having sunglasses to

3. hide your gaze is imperative. Walk with complete confidence and you won’t have any
problems.
4) Find the places you love.
When you’re not working, explore the city and find the places of which you can’t get
enough. That tiny coffee shop next to your office with the fabulous barista, the cafe by your
apartment that has the most amazing wine list, these are the places that you’ll miss once
your time in New York is over. While a “must see” traveler book is a great way to see the city,
finding your own favorite spots will make you feel more like a local and less like a tourist.
5) It’s okay to have a bad day.
There will be times when the excitement of living in the big city will wear off. You’ll
become disenchanted with the long Starbucks lines or the rudeness of a coworker, and you’ll
want to get on the next flight home.
My boss over the summer was a harsh woman, but one piece of advice she gave
really stuck with me. “New York is not for quitters,” she told me. And on days when I wanted
to get out of the city, I’d remember those words and find the strength to keep on.

4. Interning in New York City is the experience of a lifetime. Not only can it open doors
to future employment, but it can also give you the confidence you need to succeed in a
demanding environment. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll get through the summer with
ease.