Arriving in New York has been one of the most surreal experiences of my life. It’s the city I’ve dreamed about since I was a teenager, and now I get to call it home, at least for the year. The first days were a mix of excitement, jet lag, and the occasional “wait, where am I?” moment, but slowly, things started falling into place.
Of course, moving to a new city, especially one like New York, means adjusting to a lot of new things. Starting at O’Neil Langan Architects has been a fantastic opportunity, but I’ll admit it: I wasn’t fully prepared to trade in my familiar meters and centimeters for the imperial system. Suddenly, feet and inches rule the day, and I find myself double-checking everything to make sure I’m not confusing 1/8” with 1/16” (because that tiny difference actually does matter here). Luckily, the team has been very welcoming, and every week I feel like I’m learning something new.
And then there are the weekends. That’s when the adventure really begins. New York has so much to offer that it’s almost impossible to decide what to do first. One weekend I’ll be walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, the next I’m wandering through Central Park, and then suddenly I’m in a tiny neighborhood café that feels like it’s straight out of a movie. The city is a patchwork of cultures, flavors, and stories, and exploring it is just as much a part of my education as the work I do at the office.
What strikes me most is the vibrancy of New York. It feels alive in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s fast-paced, diverse, and endlessly inspiring. For an architect, it’s a dream playground. The city is full of contrasts: historic brownstones standing next to sleek skyscrapers, quiet streets opening into chaotic avenues, and every corner packed with something new to discover.
So yes, it’s a lot to take in, and it’s not without its challenges. But it’s also an incredible opportunity that I’m grateful for every day. The balance of working during the week and exploring during the weekends makes this experience feel like the perfect mix of professional growth and personal discovery.
I’m only at the beginning of this journey, but if these first weeks are any indication, the year ahead will be one of the most exciting and enriching chapters of my life.
