Your Best Tool for Abroad & Learning English

Last month, I shared some great ideas for spending time outside in New York City as the sun stays out longer and the temperatures become warmer and more comfortable. Because there really are so many options, I’ve decided to build off a previous post and share more exciting activities for the warm weather!

1. Frieze Art Fair

I wanted to include this one first because this takes place at Randalls Island Park—a destination that I love so much because I think it’s NYC’s best-kept secret. It’s a quick walk via footbridge over the East River, and once you’re there, it’s like being on a private little island, a perfect getaway from the speed of the city—which makes this event at the top of my list. Another great aspect of this event is that it has an international touch to it, displaying artwork from galleries all over the world. You may not need help translating your way through this event if you’re new to the English language!

2. South Street Seaport

This is another one of those locations in New York City that will make you pinch yourself. If you ever feel like you can’t get nature while living in NYC, then you’ve never been to this destination. Because this location is right at the bottom of the island, you have stunning views of the water with your choice of incredible restaurants, unique shops, and pretty spectacular spots to just hang out and chat with your friends. This spot is heavily detailed with signs and directions, so if you’re new to English, it will be simple for you to navigate and provide you time if you need help in translating.

3. Five Boro Craft Beer Fest

If you’re a huge beer fan like me, this should be right up your alley. This is the chance for more than 100 kinds of beers to be exposed to other beer enthusiasts. This is a great opportunity for you to sample all kinds of brews without having to commit to a full 16 oz. glass, and what better way to meet other people that share similar interests? This kind of event garners all kinds of people all over the world, so you will most likely be exposed to other languages other than your own native language and English!

4. Cinco de Mayo

You might hear this phrase starting to come up around the date of May 5th, as it’s a Mexican holiday in which the United States has recognized this date to celebrate Mexican-American culture. This is a great day for many restaurants and bars to whip up their best Mexican-inspired dishes and cocktails. So if you’re in the mood for a killer margarita or some high-quality tacos, this is the perfect time to wander into your local Mexican place—and maybe pick up some Spanish phrases and take a break from learning English for a day!

5. Bacon and Beer Classic

This is one that’s on my personal list of things to do this season. Again, I’m a huge beer fan, and who doesn’t love bacon? Be sure to arrive with an empty stomach and make sure you pace yourself while you wander from sample to sample, trying out the best in bacon and beer. This is another chance to test our your English skills by looking up all the sponsors on social media and joining the hashtag conversations—you might also learn about other spots in the arena that you didn’t even know about!

6. Spring Concerts

As you can imagine, another one of the greatest reasons for living in New York City is the proximity to so many great entertainment venues. Some of the biggest and most celebrated musical talents from all over the world ensure that they include New York City in their tour—they know they’ll guarantee ticket sales in these venues, and they know their fans hail from all over the world, so they’ll get the best of the best in their fan base! Whether you’re looking for a huge venue like Madison Square Garden or if you’re looking for a more intimate arena, like a local bar, you’re sure to find some of the most entertaining musical shows you could ever ask for—and as I mentioned in a previous post, music is one of the best vehicles to practice your English skills!

It’s a fairly common understanding that the arrival of spring is one of the most satisfying times of the year. The snow begins to melt, the sun stays out a little bit longer each evening, and the birds seem to sing louder and longer. You’re probably ready to get out of your apartment and take in the fresh air. While you’re out and about, you might overhear some odd English phrases related to spring that may not make literal sense to you. I’ll help you understand these phrases and at the same time, get you ready for spring weather in New York City.

Spring Fever

This is the feeling you get each time this year when you notice that winter is on its way out and spring is just around the corner. You get antsy, you feel eager to spend time outside without feeling miserable, and you start planning activities to do in the warmer weather. Here’s an example of how you might use this phrase:
“I think I have spring fever—all I want to do is spend time outside, look at the beautiful, new flowers, and dust off my sunglasses that have been tucked away all winter!”

Raining Cats and Dogs

As you know, not all spring days bring warmth and sunshine. In order to allow the flowers and trees to rebloom and flourish with new life, frequent rain must take place to provide nourishment for the green to reappear. As you prepare for this frequent rain, you might overhear someone refer to the precipitation to “raining cats and dogs.” Simply put, this just translates to heavy and long-lasting rain. Here’s how you might hear it:
“I can’t believe how heavy this rain is! It’s raining cats and dogs out there!”

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This is along the same lines as “raining cats and dogs:” in order for the May flowers to bloom and display new life, the rain must come down often and frequently. April is generally known for a month that rains quite frequently, while May is traditionally regarded as the official launch of spring. Here’s an example of how you might hear this phrase in a sentence:
“Even though I’m so tired of bringing my umbrella with me everyday, I have to remind myself that April showers bring May flowers.”

Have a Green Thumb

As spring comes back in full force, you start to see more green around you, even in New York City! You might pass people tending to their planters on their balconies, or you might see landscapers tending to the boulevards on Park Avenue. These are the people that understand plant and gardening maintenance, which means they have a “green thumb.” Not everyone has that skill or intuition, but it’s a phrase of reference for those that do. Here’s an example of how you might overhear someone use this phrase:
“She’s got the best green thumb! She can grow the best vegetables in New York City, better than anyone else I know!”

When It Rains, It Pours

Have you ever had a day when it seems like nothing is going your way? Maybe you start your day by getting caught in the rain, then you miss your train, and then maybe you slip and fall on the stairs? We have a phrase for this: “When it rains, it pours,” which simply means you can’t quite catch a break, that everything that could possibly go wrong, DOES go wrong. Here’s an example of how you might overhear someone say the phrase in a sentence:
“What a horrible start to my day. First I lost my MetroCard, then I missed my connecting train, and then my purse got caught in the revolving door! I guess when it rains, it pours!”

A Spring in One’s Step

This is kind of the opposite of “when it rains, it pours.” Have you ever had one of those days when you’re just in a fantastic mood, and the sun is shining, and you’re feeling jovial and excited about everything? When you’re in this mood, do you ever notice that you might walk lighter or feel like you’re walking on a cloud? One way to say this is that you’ve got a “spring in your step.” Here’s an example of how you might use it in a sentence:
“Everything was going my way that day, and I was simply in the best mood. Even when I was walking around in the streets, I had a spring in my step, and it felt like I was almost skipping!”

One of the coolest things about this time in technology is access to all kinds of music at our fingertips. Over the years I’ve discovered so many different artists and songs that I never would have been exposed to if it weren’t for applications like Pandora and Spotify. More specifically, for only $9.99 a month, you can download an unlimited number of albums and playlists from Spotify, and I have to admit that it’s worth every penny. One of the coolest features is the ability to make your own playlists: I have one that I use when I work out to get my blood pumping, one that I use when I’m trying to wind down after a long day, another that I use if I’m feeling down in the dumps, and so on.

New York City has such a rich cultural history which includes timeless celebrity influence and presence, both from the past and present day. The Big Apple has bred so many of our musical talent over the decades, and many of them have penned their love for the city by means of song.

If you don’t already use Spotify, I highly recommend you give it a shot and create a playlist with songs that have a New York City influence. Not only will this remind you that you’re a part of one of the best cities in the world, but it will give you an idea of how English has evolved over the decades—AND how beloved New York City really is. The songs reference famous sites, popular neighborhoods, general slang and phrases, and of course, their endless love for New York City.

I’ve included some of MY favorite songs about New York—they pump me up, fill me with New York City pride, and always remind me how lucky I am to be here. And if you’re adjusting to English, this is also a great way to practice your English—in a much more “rhythmic” way!

“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

This is a super popular song, and it’s incredibly catchy. Both Jay-Z and Alicia Keys were born and raised in the city themselves, so their ode to the Big Apple shines through. If you ever listen to the song while you’re walking down Madison Avenue or riding the subway on your way to work, I can guarantee you that it will remind you of how lucky you are to be a part of such a magical city.

“New York, New York” – Frank Sinatra

You actually may already be familiar with this one, as it’s quite timeless, and if you’ve spent more than three months in the city, chances are you’ve already heard it in a store or a restaurant. Frank Sinatra is another timeless New York City native, and in this particular song, he sings about his love for the city and being a part of the city “that doesn’t sleep.” You can almost FELL his passion if you listen to the song while walking along 34th Street or stare up at the Empire State Building.

“New York, New York” – Ryan Adams

This is a fairly modern song by an incredible singer and songwriter. While Ryan Adams isn’t a native New Yorker, he still sings of his lasting love for the city despite losing a girlfriend. In fact, his ode to the city sings as though New York City will ALWAYS be his girlfriend. The tune is catchy, his voice is smooth, and if you listen while you’re wandering the streets, you’ll realize you feel the same way.

“New York State of Mind” – Billy Joel

This song is a New York City classic, just like Frank Sinatra’s ode to New York. Chances are you’ve heard this one before. Go to any piano bar, and you can count on the pianist playing this song, and before long, the entire place will be singling along with every word. This is another timeless ode to the city, and if you can learn a few English phrases from the lyrics, you might easily get mistaken as a native New Yorker.

“The Only Living Boy in New York” – Simon & Garfunkel

This one is another classic ode to the city. Sime & Garfunkel is a musical duo that is celebrated wildly as legendary and timeless, and in this tune, you’ll feel the celebration of New York City with the simplicity of their melody. The song praises life in the city, and listening to the tune will absolutely remind you how lucky you are to be a part of it. The lyrics will help your English skills, as the song is timeless and legendary.

Learning English in a new city can be a big enough hurdle as it is, and when you add in the extra obstacle of cultural sayings and catchphrases, it can be overwhelming. Slang and verbal shortcuts are constantly changing due to cultural influences like music and television, so it can be hard to keep up, even for us native New Yorkers!

“The City”

As I’ve mentioned before in previous posts, New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Typically speaking, it would be safe to assume that when someone says “The City,” they mean New York City as a whole, right? You’re actually most likely wrong! You’ll find that when someone says “The City,” it more than often generically refers to Manhattan. Because the majority of major business and corporations as well as cultural sites are located in Manhattan, this borough tends to become the default location for generic conversation about New York City. You might also find that if someone is referencing a borough other than Manhattan, they’re more than likely to use the specific name of the borough. In short, if you hear someone use “The City” in a generic way during a conversation, remember to default their reference to Manhattan, and you’ll be just fine!

“In a New York Minute”

You might have noticed by now that New Yorkers move fast, and it might seem like they’re always in a hurry. In New York City, everything is FAST. This expression is used all over the country to reference anything that takes place in an instant or immediately. For example, pretend your favorite musician is coming to Madison Square Garden soon. To express how quickly you’d purchase tickets to the show, you might say, “If my favorite band is really coming to Madison Square Garden, I’d buy tickets in a New York minute!”

“Only in New York City!”

You might hear this quite often actually, as New Yorkers embrace how diverse and exciting their city is. There’s always something happening, and it might seem like there’s never a dull moment here. The first time I caught myself saying this was when I was at the subway platform waiting for my train when I noticed a huge rat just gliding along the ground in front of the platform edge, and no one was reacting! Since this was the first rat that I’d seen since moving to New York, I was startled, but then I realized that the rest of New York City has probably seen hundreds of rats at this point, so they were completely numb to this. I whispered to myself, “Only in New York City!”

“Bodega”

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make upon moving to New York City was not having a beautiful grocery store with wide aisles and lots of variety when it came to brands and price. While there are indeed stunning grocery stores in the city, most of these places are extremely high-priced and cater to those with steep expendable incomes. Additionally, transferring your purchases from the store to your home is something else to consider for those of us that don’t have cars. So, for most of us, we tend to do our grocery shopping at units we call “bodegas.” These are usually corner shops that have your basics, like breads and cheeses, dry pastas, and coffee, as well as regular household products like detergent and shampoo. The aisles are narrow and cramped, and you have to limit your purchases, as there’s obviously no room for shopping carts. I recommend doing the bulk of your shopping here, as I’ve found the prices to be reasonable. For fresh products, like fruits and vegetables, street carts always have the best supply of all your needs, and they’re all so fresh and cheap!

“Excuse Me”

I’ve realized this is probably the phrase I use most often on a daily basis. Whether you’re saying it as a way to politely ask people to move just a bit for you or whether you say it because you’ve accidentally bumped into someone due to tight quarters, you might find yourself saying this a lot more often than you’d imagine. New York City is a city where people are quite close to one another, either in their living spaces, on the subway, or even in their office environment, so if you’re not used to giving up a bit of your personal space yet, you will very soon. I mean, hey—Only in New York City!

You might have noticed how easy it is these days to get your words out into the public—with the Internet, our smartphones, and social media, we’ve never had it easier to be heard. You also might agree with me that one of the most comforting things in the world when you’re going through a huge transition is to find out that you’re not the only one and that you’re not alone. You now have the opportunity to share your experiences with one another, offer each other advice and learned lessons, and ultimately discover a new confidant.

Getting Started

It might be scary at first to think about sharing such vulnerable experiences with the world, so I recommend to first write out an entry about perhaps your day, your first impressions upon coming to New York City, or even questions you have about the people, the culture, or the city itself. There are several platforms that allow your entries to be either private or public, so this way, you don’t have to expose yourself if you feel it’s too soon. You’ll also get a feel for how often you see yourself posting, how personal you want to get, and how big of a project you forsee this becoming.


The great thing about this method is that you’ll get practice WRITING your English instead of just communicating it verbally. You’ll learn a lot about your English skills if you find yourself using your dictionary or your translator a lot or if it comes to you pretty naturally. As you’re writing, you might also realize that this is the perfect time to test out new and foreign slang or idioms that you would otherwise be too nervous to try out in person. You have the chance to look them up before committing to them, and the more practice you get with putting them to use, the braver you’ll be to use them in person!

Finding your thoughts

Another great thing about blogging is that it forces you to reflect. Before I started my own blog, I was very apprehensive because it felt like I was on display, and I was nervous about that. But I sat down and just started typing my thoughts and feelings without too much worry or concern about grammar (I looked at that later), and I realized that I had quite a bit going on in my head! Once I cleaned up the “entry” and felt like it was polished, I published the piece. I obviously didn’t have a huge following at the time, but when I was sharing some of my worries or concerns, the community that I DID have was so supportive and encouraging. They offered advice, shared similar stories, and cheered me on to keep going. It was just enough to convince me to keep writing.

Finding your followers

Once you find a blogging platform that you like and you establish your profile, spend some time on Facebook and look for groups that are new to both the English language as well as New York City. Join as many groups as you can and post a link to your new, live blog (I’d make sure you have at least one post live at this point so that they can get a taste of who you are), and include a short introduction about yourself and invite others to take a journey into your experience. You might find that a lot of people will come to your page to hear about your stories to see if they’re similar to their own, and you will, without a doubt, develop a circle of support and encouragement. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn from your new followers as well as they share their own funny stories or mistakes they’ve made along the way.

Finding your reach

Again, one of the greatest parts of living in this generation is our constant connection to everything and everyone at any time. You could reach people not just in New York City, but you could develop a network of ANY newcomers to the United States as they adjust to the English language and American culture. Additionally, you also might find that you might reach English speakers that are studying abroad in other countries beyond US borders as they’re facing the exact same hurdles! While the experience is the exact opposite, the emotions and fears behind starting a life in brand new world with a different language are universal.

Before I moved to New York City, so many people warned me about the cost of living and expressed their concerns about money and whether or not I’d “make it work.” Of course I was concerned about this myself, but I was determined to make sure I could do it and afford to live in New York City—and STILL have a life!

I’ve come up with some tips and tricks to make sure living in the big city is practical and achievable so that you can afford all your monthly bills and still have some left over to enjoy yourself and take in all that New York City has to offer!

1. Map out your monthly budget

Add up all of your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, cell phone, memberships, groceries, student loans, and any other monthly payments you are obligated to make. From there, you should be able to figure out how much you have left over for additional spending per month. This will also give you an idea of how much flexibility you have for social activities. Once you have a rough figure in mind, spend some time on the Internet for activities you can do that will help you enhance your English skills. Maybe find an off-Broadway show that offers cheap tickets on Sunday afternoons; read the plot in English before you visit the show so you can appreciate the acting and singing more since you already know the storyline. Bonus: reading the plot in English then watching it in English will cement your language fluidity for sure!

2. Never pass up free!

Keep an eye out in your neighborhood for new businesses opening—usually within their first week’s opening, they’ll invite the community to try out samples, hand out free goodies, or offer complimentary services to generate new customers. If you’re feeling brave and looking to save a few bucks, visit a beauty school for a haircut—they will either offer free or massively discounted services to allow their students to practice on real human heads! And of course, there are endless museums in the city that offer free admission—and that’s priceless for a taste of New York City culture! Interacting will all these divisions in the city will definitely enhance your English speaking and learning skills, and before you know it, you’ll be having casual conversations with your new hairdresser or neighbor without even realizing you’re speaking in fluent English!

3. Just say no

If you say no to just a few things each month, you might notice that you’re tucking away money bit by bit each month. It can be so easy to drop $12 here for lunch or $16 there for a cab ride; but as they all say, all those little expenses add up very quickly, and by the end of the month, you could be looking at your bank statement wondering, “Where did all my money go?” I found that if I’m invited out to a happy hour for a birthday celebration, and I know I should be keeping an eye on my finances, I’ll accept the invitation but instead stick to drinking water (free!)—this way I won’t be spending my money, AND I won’t miss out on the social experience! It might be a bummer at first to turn down a lot of experiences that others may participate in, but ultimately I guarantee you’ll feel better about your finances, and you won’t experience what I call “spender’s guilt.” Plus, it’s definitely easier to practice your English when you’re sober!

4. Check out discount stores

At first I felt embarrassed about shopping at Goodwill stores or dollar stores, but ultimately, my wallet thanks me. If you have the time and the patience to sift through the clothing racks at Goodwill or second-hand stores, I say go for it. Almost all of my work wardrobe is from these stores, and I get compliments on my clothing all the time—when people ask me where I got my top, I proudly announce, “the Goodwill store on 88th and 2nd.” Their reaction is priceless, and I walk away knowing that I paid $3 for my blouse while my coworker spent $40 on hers. I buy my shampoo and toothpaste at the dollar store because no one will be able to tell how much I spent just from my hair. Cheaper doesn’t always necessarily mean worse, and more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.

One of the absolute BEST things about New York City is the abundance and variety of food. You can get all sorts of cultural cuisine just in the radius of one block—I can guarantee you’ll never be bored with your options! The tricky thing is that very few people can afford to eat out or order delivery every day, so I’ve come up with a few helpful options for you that will help you sort out your dining budget without sacrificing the rich culinary culture in the Big Apple.

1. Purchase your kitchen staples

Before you even explore restaurants and trendy, cultural neighborhoods for new and exciting food, make a list of your favorite basic at-home foods. For me, cold cereal and pasta are my go-to meals when I’m at home. These are easy to make, fairly cheap, and I’m always in the mood for these items if I’m hungry but too lazy or broke to explore other options. With this in mind, I make it a point to ensure I always have these ingredients at home. Try and make your own list of kitchen “must haves” without using your English dictionary, then head to your closest grocery store or bodega and pick up these staple items. You’ll already feel one step ahead of the game once you have some basics in your kitchen. Knowing that you have “rainy day” ingredients will be enough to convince you to stay in more often and eat at home.

2. Next, pick up your luxury items

Once you have the above basics in your cupboards, make another list of items that you might consider “luxury items” from the grocery store. For me, these are things that I don’t necessarily need, but things that I would want on a special occasion. For example, apples are my favorite fruit, but when they’re not in season, they can be a bit pricey. So I’ll add these to my luxury list. I know I don’t need them, but I also know that if I have them at home, I’ll eat each and every single one! Again, this will deter me from spending my precious money on steep delivery fees when I’m tempted to order take-out. Again, try making this list without referring to your dictionary; then when you hit the grocery store or the bodega, trust your own list, find the aisles without your apps, and see what happens! Even if you buy something incorrectly or purchase something that wasn’t on your list, you’ll have something new and different to try out!

3. Now make the FUN list!

Now that your kitchen is fully stocked with your dream pantry, you can figure how much money you have left over to try food beyond the grocery store limits. Maybe you’re dying to head to Little Italy to see what great cuisines they have to offer, or maybe you’re fiending for some Polish food, so you make a list of great places to try in Queens. Making these lists will help you come up with a game plan for travel, spending, and limits. The great thing about technology these days is that apps like Yelp provide reviews of these eateries, and most locations have their menus online. Again, this can help you pick out what you want before you arrive—this way, you’ll already know the components in each dish, how much it costs, and what other people have thought about the dishes and the experience. Plus, by having this plan of attack beforehand, you can practice your English vocabulary for both food-related words as well as conversational pieces with your fellow diners as well as your waiter or waitress. There’s no better way to put your English practice to use than real world application!

If you plan these purchases in advance, both with groceries and dining out, it can be close to impossible to experience any spending surprises. Of course, there will be meal spending that is almost unavoidable, like perhaps a friend’s birthday dinner, or maybe a snowstorm delayed your grocery shopping plans for a few days, so takeout is the most practical option. But in my experience, if you put your food spending on a practical plan like this one, you’ll avoid spending too much on food yet still allow yourself the cultural culinary experience that makes New York City such a wonderful place to be.

Manhattan is only 13.4 miles from top to bottom and 2.3 miles from east to west. When you stop and think about it in this way, you realize just how small the borough really is! With that, you have to wonder where all the 1.6 million people that live in Manhattan actually live. How can such a tiny place hold so many people?

It can be daunting to find a place to live in New York City with this in mind, especially if learning English is on your long list of daily goals. The renting market is quite competitive, as there are hundreds of people looking for places to live, whether they’re new to the city, here temporarily, or looking to simply switch neighborhoods or try a different scene. The advantage to this is there is never a shortage of great units to choose from!

Before going on your search, I recommend spending some time alone with your online bank account and take record of your overall budget. Make a list of every obligatory bill you have to pay each month: this must include any and all credit card bills, student loans, health insurance payments, monthly memberships (gym, Apple, etc.), cell phone payments, and any other establishments that require payment on a monthly basis. From here, figure out how much you have to spend on rent per month. This will give you an idea of how comfortable you’d like to live: are you okay with spending a bit more on a nice apartment but sacrificing many social activities, or would you rather pay less in rent for a small unit far from the subway in order to have more social spending money? Once you address these questions, you’ll have an idea of approximately the price range of your ideal apartment.

From here, this is where you’ll put your English learning skills to use. Before beginning your search, make a list of questions you envision asking the landlord and/or potential roommates. I’d recommend writing them down—in English!—because it can be very easy to go blank and completely forget what you want to ask. Inquire about safety of the neighborhood, walking distance to public transportation, grocery stores, laundry facilities, etc., and don’t forget to ask about general apartment questions, such as average utility bills per month, noise levels, and roommate habits/behaviors. The more you think to ask in the beginning, the less surprise there will be later if you decide to take the apartment! Writing down these questions in English will help the flow of your conversation, and engaging with these individuals will make you feel more comfortable with the language overall.

Now you are ready for the search! There are two sites that I highly recommend that will help you learn about the different boroughs and neighborhoods.

1. CraigsList

This is a great site to help you learn and adjust to city living. You can search for housing by location, price range, if you’re looking for a place of your own or looking to rent a room, or if you’re even just looking for something temporary. If you’re tight on money, you might start to notice that there are certain neighborhoods that support your budget—make sure you then research the neighborhood so you learn whether you can envision yourself living there. Map out your commute, figure out where the closest grocery store would be, etc—doing this will give you an idea of life in that apartment.

2. SpareRoom.com

This is also a great resource for those looking to split the cost of housing by renting out just a bedroom. Again, you can search by price, neighborhood, size of bedroom, whether the room is furnished or not, and on and on. You’ll quickly learn that you have many options when it comes to New York City living, and you can get really creative when it comes to finding a place to call home.

Of course, with every situation, make sure you meet these people in a public setting first and tell people what you’re up to while you’re looking at the apartment; you can never be too careful! Again, before looking at the unit, make a list of questions in English so that you don’t forget to ask anything—practice asking them and practice some example follow-up questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or personal opinions—everyone else was new here once, too!

If you’re not used to heavy snow, brutal winds, and biting cold temperatures, your first winter in New York City might be a harsh shock for you. Before I moved here myself, I had lived in other areas of the country that also had pretty intense winters, so I thought I’d have no problem adjusting. What I learned, however, is that a New York City winter is unlike any other: I’ve come up with some tricks that might help you adjust, even as you’re adapting to the English language.

1. Invest in some serious winter gear

I moved to New York City from Philadelphia, a city just a few hours south, so I thought handling my first winter would be a piece of cake. I was wrong! Since Manhattan is essentially one giant island surrounded by water, this means high winds, blasting cold temperatures, and sideways snow. I was used to this in Philadelphia, but then again, I drove everywhere and had to spend very little time outside. But now, since so much of my commute is spent walking outside, I suddenly realized that my winter gear wasn’t as protective as I once thought! Pay attention to the boots and jackets you see others wearing–don’t be afraid to ask them the brand, the price, or where they purchased it—if anything, they’ll take your inquiry as a compliment that a total stranger likes their winter gear! This will also help you practice your English and help you overcome an apprehension to engaging with others in New York City. Depending on the brand or the product, the cost might seem high, but trust me: after four months of weather this intense, your body will appreciate your investment.

2. Definitely check the weather–constantly

Like most New Yorkers, you probably don’t have a car. This means that for the whole day, you’re committed to carrying everything around with you. This also means bringing your snow boots in an extra bag if snowfall is expected in the evening. This means packing your umbrella if the sleet prediction at 3 pm is accurate. In an earlier post, I sang the praises of The Weather Channel app; this resource will give you hourly forecasts and what kind of precipitation or wind strength you can expect for the rest of your day. I find that I check it out several times throughout the day so I’m not hit with any winter surprises. I’d much rather be safe and prepared than out of luck with cold feet and wet hair. Again, your smartphone can be a great resource when it comes to practicing your English and engaging with other tools that other New Yorkers rely on; this particular app will help you with your weather vocabulary, and chatting about the weather is a great ice-breaker! (Pun intended!) So trust me on this one: you don’t want to be caught in a snow storm in just your heels.

3. Don’t become a hermit!

Hey, I know how easy it is to hole up in your apartment on those super blustery days, snuggle up with some hot tea, and commit to a full evening of Netflix. I get it—just the thought of layering up with scarves, hats, and heavy coats is enough to make you groan and convince yourself to stay in and be comfortable. But you also can’t forget that even though winter in New York City can be brutal, it can also be BEAUTIFUL! I will say that New York City does an excellent job with ensuring the city is a desirable attraction with stunning scenery. During my first winter here, I assumed that after Christmas, the city would become ugly with dirty snow, slush, and general disarray of post-Christmas gloom, but again, I was way off. Stores keep their twinkly lights on, restaurants offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere with soft candles in the windows, and timeless sites and attractions still look breathtaking with a fresh layer of snow. So call up a few friends, pick a spot in a neighborhood you’ve never travelled to, and take in some new sights under the glow of a winter moon. Hit the park with your buddies and practice your English, travel down 5th Avenue and check out the cool sales, and maybe even take a ferry ride and see the city from the water.

Learning a new language comes with steps and stages of progression. In the beginning, there’s a lot of tedious memorization and basic application tools to help you build your foundation. As you develop and advance, you start listening and speaking with more ease and fluidity. Eventually, you’ll begin feeling comfortable holding small conversations with other English-speaking individuals. But how do you continue practicing your English with strangers when you’re out and about without the cushion of your classmates or your English language dictionary?

In New York City, there is never a shortage of fun and creative activities. The city is full of diverse things to do, and I can guarantee that you will never be bored while you’re here. When you feel confident and ready to step out into the social scene, New York City is ready for you. I’ve come up with a few clever options that you can put your English to use. Put on your thinking cap, and get out there!

1.Bust your Brain with some Trivia!

You’re probably already familiar with establishments that organize trivia nights, but this is a competitively fun way to use your new English skills. Either bring a team of your own in or see if an existing team has room for one more (most people don’t mind this since the more brains in a group, the better the chances of winning are). You’ll be given rounds of entertaining questions that will test your sports, movies, music, etc. knowledge for the chance to win the competition, and in some venues, sometimes a prize is even awarded! The win-win out of this scenario is that not only will you be putting your English application to the test, but you’ll be testing your cultural knowledge as well! And you never know—you could even make a new friend or two out of this!

2.Sing your heart out at Karaoke!

This is something I would never, ever have the courage to do, but this is truly a fun way to put your English learning to use. Maybe you just learned and perfected your new favorite English-language song, and you want to show off to the world (or maybe just that bar in New York City) that you’ve nailed it. This is your chance: have fun with it! Get up on stage, and sing your heart out. And if you mess up or forget the words halfway through the song, don’t even worry about it—you definitely weren’t the first one—and you won’t be the last! (And of course, don’t forget that you have the cushion of the screen in front of you that scrolls the lyrics as the song progresses—another perfect way to utilize your English reading comprehension skills!) Plus, half the fun is watching everyone else sing!

3.Get silly with Scrabble or Charades

Not all the activities have to be at the bar! There are so many fun cafes and bookstores in the city that organize game night gatherings. For your case, as someone that’s working on perfecting their English, I recommend either an establishment that hosts a Scrabble night or a Charades night. Scrabble is a board game that challenges you to create words out of other words—think of it as Dominos but in word form. This will get you thinking about your early days learning English vocabulary, and it’ll get your competitive juices flowing, too!

Charades is never a bore, as you simply act out a specific “thing” (movie, song, person—anything, really) without using your words. The other team has to guess what you’re acting out, and the laughter that comes from this game is worth the silliness. You’ll be thinking about your English vocabulary without even realizing it! Do some research on spots that host evenings like these, and give it a shot—more than anything, you’ll have an absolute blast.

4.Get your flirt on at Speed Dating

This one might sound like a silly one, but if you’re single and looking to mingle, this is a fun option! There are many organizations within the city that are always hosting some kind of singles night. This provides you with the opportunity to try out your real-world conversational skills and get a feel for the social environment within the city limits. Even if you don’t meet the love of your life, it’ll be a perfect setting to chat with new people and in turn, learn even more about New York City and all the wonderful things it has to offer.