Growing up in New York City, I’ve always wanted to go away for college. As senior year approached, it was time to finally apply for schools. I came to the realization that going away wasn’t my best choice, and not because I have changed my mind because if I had the chance, I would go away if I could, but it was too much to deal with financially. Knowing what I know now, I have the chance to talk to people I go to school with and am able to ask about their experience so far.

Chrystal: Where did you grow up?
Brandon: “Jamaica, Queens”

Chrystal: How was it like growing up in Queens?
Brandon: “Growing up in Queens, Jamaica specifically, was like a rollercoaster. There was a lot of gang activity and violence around the area that would make it feel unsafe at times. It was also very hard having to deal with people doing drugs out in the open. It was scary as a teenager because that’s when you start getting introduced to these things and get influenced by many people. However, there was this sense of community where everyone would help each other if they ever needed anything and that’s one of the things I loved about growing up here. As I say this, I feel as though Jamaica can be misrepresented as a bad place, however as the years went on, instead of getting worse, it felt like it got safer and better. Of course now it feels like it’s getting gentrified, with new buildings being added, workspaces being added and built, feels like they’re trying to push a selective group of people away and make Jamaica look “new”.”

Chrystal: How did your environment influence your decision in coming to CCNY?
Brandon: “ I’ve lived in the same place my whole life and so I was too familiar with my environment and so I wanted to get away from that and with that being said I came to CCNY to explore the city more.”

Chrystal: Would you like to have gone away for college?
Brandon: I thought about it but it wasn’t convenient for me knowing that I had too much to leave behind.”

Chrystal: How is it like to go to school in the city?
Brandon: “It’s very different and there are many different people with many different backgrounds which gave me a different perspective of what New York City is really like.”

Chrystal: How does where you grew up compare to where you go to school now?
Brandon: “It’s all New York City so I thought it would feel the same, you know. But it’s different. It’s a different dynamic here. The people walked differently. Dressed differently. Even had a different way of thinking. Getting to know different people from vastly different backgrounds and different areas in NYC gave me a new POV of how the city really is and because of that I don’t feel stuck in the bubble I was always in. Manhattan has so many places to explore and I truly feel like every corner has a story to tell.”

With all that being said, I am able to experience someone else’s college experience from a different point of view. We are so different, yet so similar when it comes down to it. It helps me grasp that although we might have come from different backgrounds and livelihoods, we have all made decisions that have led us to one another. It shows me a new perspective on the people I might not have paid that much attention to. People are complex creatures with complex stories and different perspectives. When we put ourselves in their shoes, we can begin to understand them better and see why they are who they are and why they’ve made the decisions they’ve made today.