Jet-Set to Jersey: From NYC Adventures to Rutgers Realities

By Alex Toomey, Rutgers University, USA

The Plane Journey: Tears, Tunes, and Timmy Tim:

My journey began with a predictably tearful goodbye—pulling myself out of the comfortable embrace of my friends and family at the painfully early hour of 6:30 AM. Well, maybe not that early, but when you’re a sleepy girl like me, anything before 9 AM feels like dawn. As the taxi pulled away, my tears only intensified, so naturally, I chose to make things worse by playing the most heart-wrenching songs known to man. Think “Scott Street” by Phoebe Bridgers level of emotional torture—#dontbeastranger indeed.

After a good wallow in self-pity (seriously, Alex, you’re about to embark on a huge adventure to meet new people and make friends, how bad can it really be?), I decided to check my Snapchat messages. Of course, they were full of well-wishes from friends who assured me that I wouldn’t be forgotten, and that I’d definitely make new friends—#needed. But as I opened Snapchat, I caught a glimpse of myself in the camera and was met with the aftermath of my earlier emotional breakdown. Note to self: Don’t bother with makeup when you know you’re going to cry it off. #sillygirl.

As the journey continued, I let my mind wander to what my life in America might look like for the next five months. Daydreams of new adventures and exciting opportunities made the ride to Heathrow fly by. Before I knew it, I was trudging along with my two ginormous suitcases, two cabin cases, and one unbelievably heavy backpack to the bag drop. My wardrobe is essential to my happiness, and there was no way I was leaving anything behind.

The flight itself was packed, so much so that it was overbooked, which meant I ended up separated from my mum by two rows—not the worst, but still, not ideal. I settled into my seat, put on “Dune: Part Two” (how had I not watched it before?), and let Timothée Chalamet soothe my sadness—#recommend.

In a moment of bravery, or perhaps masochism, I decided to open the cards my friends had given me. Cue another 30 minutes of Spotify-induced tears. But as the plane soared through the sky, I realized this was the perfect time to start my scrapbook (which I decided to make in addition to this blog).

After finally touching down at JFK, I made my way through passport control. Even though I had all the necessary documents and my visa was in perfect order, I was still #terrified. But, as it turns out, my fears were unfounded—the whole process was a breeze. A few short questions about my major and the university I was attending later, and I was officially allowed to enter the United States of America.

We quickly hopped into a taxi bound for the city, and let me just say, New York traffic is no joke. Be prepared to be in that cab from JFK for what feels like forever. But eventually, we made it to the city around 3 PM NYC time, which felt like 8 PM to my jet-lagged UK brain.

After a quick walk around to scope out the area and hunt down some groceries for dinner, we settled in to eat with a stunning view of the city. Despite my best efforts to fight the jet lag, my body had other plans, and I was out cold by 7:30 PM NYC time (12:30 AM UK time).

NYC Chronicles: Tourist by Day, Shopaholic by Default

My first day in NYC kicked off with a leisurely stroll to Central Park. Our accommodation was a mere 20-minute walk away, so by 10:30 AM, we’d already explored a good chunk of the park, including the Reservoir, Belvedere Castle, the Great Lawn, Shakespeare Garden, and a quick pass by the Met. All this sightseeing worked up quite an appetite, so we stopped at Pain Quotidien for breakfast. I ordered a chicken and mozzarella tartine and a hot chocolate that could only be described as ginormous. This thing was practically the size of my face and came in a bowl rather than a mug—#portionsarecrazy.

After our breakfast feast, it was time for a shopping spree. We kicked things off with some back-to-school essentials from TJ Maxx (or TK Maxx for us Brits) before diving into the world of NYC fashion. I hit up 5th avenue for some classics; Brandy Melville, Lululemon, thrift shops, and a bunch of other stores, emerging with a haul that would make any fashionista proud. A celebratory ice cream capped off the successful shopping expedition.

With my feet aching and a booking at The Edge at Hudson Yards approaching, we subwayed back to the flat, quickly changed into a new dress and shoes (perfect for photo ops), and raced over to catch the sunset view. And let me tell you, the view was nothing short of immaculate.

Dinner followed at Bondst, where we enjoyed some truly delightful sushi. If you ever find yourself in NYC, this place is a must-try. We rolled back in at 11 PM, exhausted but ready for another day of sightseeing.

The next day, I woke up a bit later, still groggy from the time zone shift. Apparently, it takes about a day to adjust for every hour of difference, which made our 11:30 AM ferry booking to Liberty Island perfectly timed. The security process felt like an airport checkpoint, but before long, we were on our way to see Miss Liberty herself. And let me tell you, she’s every bit as stunning in person. A quick jaunt around the island, some popcorn, and lemonade later, we were striking our best imitation of her iconic pose. #Whodiditbetter?

Next up was Ellis Island, where I dived into the history of immigration in the U.S. I didn’t know much about Ellis Island’s role, so the museum was a fascinating and educational stop—definitely worth your time if you’re ever in the area.

Then, it was on to the 9/11 Museum. Visiting this site felt profoundly important. It’s a significant monument that deeply impacted NYC and the U.S.’s cultural and political landscape. The museum’s layout and presentation were incredibly moving, and I’m grateful for the chance to pay my respects.

But the day wasn’t over yet. We grabbed a slice of street pizza (because, of course), and headed to our final destination: the Empire State Building. Seeing NYC from above was nothing short of magical—a view I’ll never forget. NYC, you’ve certainly made a memorable first impression!

From Big Apple to Scarlet Knights: Moving in

The next day was move-in day—just a quick 40-minute train ride from Penn Station, and I found myself in New Brunswick. Fortunately, all exchange students are nestled into university accommodation right in the heart of campus, just a 2-minute walk from the station. Probably the only walkable part of this sprawling campus!

Meeting my flatmates and roommates was a breath of fresh air. We clicked instantly, which was such a relief and eased my anxiety. And what a diverse crew we had: two Aussies, a Spaniard, and a Brit. The promise of fun and adventure was already in the air!

Next up: an Uber ride to Target, which felt like a sensory overload similar to a Primark store. After dropping a couple of hundred dollars on kitchen and living essentials—items I could’ve easily fit in my suitcases if I weren’t so obsessed with my wardrobe—I faced the biggest shock of all: bedding. Who knew duvet covers were a foreign concept here? #whatisacomforter?

With everything finally set up, my room started to feel like home. A final goodbye to my mum, and a new hello to life with my new friends. We began to bond over shared stories and experiences, and I’m already seeing myself enjoying this chapter. I’m excited to document everything that comes next—from more NYC adventures to settling into Rutgers life. Here’s to new beginnings!