How to build a community for yourself if you are not from NYC

Moving to NYC is daunting. It is a huge city, and many people hope that SIPA will help NYC feel a bit smaller. Although this is true, it is also important to feel like you have a community beyond school to develop work-life balance. As an incoming diplomat, my life is focused on building communities away from home everywhere I go. Here are some of my tips for NYC!

1.Play a sport in an adult league- even if you’ve never played a sport before. 

I know, I know. Maybe you hate sports. Maybe P.E. traumatized you as a kid. But I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful sports are for cultural immersion. Most adult leagues, like VOLO NYC, do not require any experience at all. You merely sign up for a sport that sounds like fun, and go make new friends! The games are all very relaxed, and most leagues host drinks or group events after games. Sports are an amazing way to feel like a child again, be silly, and get to know each other over a common goal (even if the sport is not a natural common interest). 

In every country I have lived in, I have picked up a new sport. I have played softball, lacrosse, handball, volleyball, tennis- and even trampolining. I have only ever been good at one! However, sports naturally bring people together. If you are more introverted, this can also be a great activity as you are not always required to be socializing! If you are extroverted (like I am!), then this is a great time to let out your inner cheerleader. 

2. Join a non-SIPA club for a hobby- new or old.

Although this falls along a similar line as joining a sport, I mostly say this to refer to clubs within the Columbia community or clubs across the city. Whether this is a book club, tennis club, or a pottery club- you can truly find a community for any interest you have in New York City. You could have the most random niche in the world, and I promise there is a club in NYC for it. There are even social clubs that don’t have a specific hobby tied to them, but rather events for people who just want to make new friends! My favorite clubs are ones that host dinner parties and invite a new group of strangers to become friends each week!

It is vital to your sanity (I promise!) to have friends from different parts of your life. They balance you, and expand your world. Although your wonderful SIPA peers will hopefully play an important role in your life, it is important to remember that Columbia is not a complete picture of NYC. Your new friends and favorite places are out there!

3.Do things alone.

Bear with me. I know this sounds like the opposite of building a community, however, some of my closest friends have been made through doing something alone. Whether going to a food festival, (many) concerts, shopping, or just wandering through the city- I have made so many wonderful friends. Now, I am not encouraging you to talk to strangers “willy nilly” in the city, but I do encourage you to feel free to strike up conversations when you are in a safe and public place if you like what someone is wearing or if you are both enjoying the same activity. You would be shocked by how many people go out alone in NYC and are more than willing to make new friends! Do your best not to interrupt people with their headphones on- however!