New York City Journals

Ryan B. Novak

 

The first week in the city has been a truly eye-opening experience. Although I am one of the only students remaining who has not begun interning, the free time has allowed me to get to know the surrounding area as well as my four new roommates. I believe, however, that so far the most unbelievable thing has been the apartment itself, perched on the 25^th floor terrace with its nightly delightful view of the sun setting behind the Statue of Liberty surrounded by the glistening Hudson River.

 

Additionally, New York City has given me an enormous and unique sense of personal responsibility. Although the city is jam packed with over 8 million residents, each person goes about their daily business, seemingly without a sense that there is anyone else in the world. There are no excuses here for not completely being on your own and certainly no one else will do this for you. This feeling of individual invisibility subsides, however, when people are engaged in conversation and display their more social as well as personal sides.

 

The Republican Convention has also been an interesting factor in the first week here. With the heightened security, a large portion of New Yorkers have chosen to take their vacation to avoid the riots and havoc occurring in Midtown. In addition, it is difficult this week to find any corner of the city without an armed NYPD officer glaring suspiciously back at you.    

 

Overall, I am extremely excited about and looking forward to interning in the regulations division of Credit Suisse First Boston as well as becoming more familiar with the day-to-day work of one of the largest investment banks in the world.