October in New York: toukokuuta 2026

maanantai 25. toukokuuta 2026

Dear Readers

Dear readers of October in New York,

The past few years have been a period in time that will not be easily forgotten. First the global travel came to a halt due to the pandemic and now the wars and other conflicts still rage around the world. These times, if anything, make knowing other cultures and countries maybe more important than ever. Thus, after a year-long preparation and planning I had the great privilege of leading a group of students through both the American Studies 2025 course and a memorable October week in New York – it was the 14^th time.

As always, there was a lot to see and even more to experience. There were twenty-six of us this year. We were warmly received everywhere, and everyone, be it our tour guides or the staff in any of the places we visited, went out of their way to help us. A special thank you goes to the Consulate General and the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN for welcoming us for the second time. The Foreign Ministry of Finland as well as the American Embassy in Helsinki have over the years given a lot to my students and the American Studies. I hope we can work together in the future as well. Furthermore, the locals in New York were even more helpful and attentive than any of us could have expected and we will cherish the encounters with them.

I am happy that you found our blog! Do enjoy the accounts written by my students. They certainly had their own favorites on our itinerary. Mine were the Metropolitan Opera, as always, with an extraordinary performance of Don Giovanni; Aladdin The Musical, and our visit to High Line where we met with an American Studies alumna, Heli, who now lives in New York. The enthusiasm the visit to New York evokes in my students is always the best possible thank you from the students one can get.

I would like to thank my wonderfully enthusiastic and active students as well as their exceptionally supportive families. Also, my co-chaperone Pasi deserves to be acknowledged – well done for a first-timer in the Big Apple!

NYC is a city to be experienced in person. I hope there will be new groups of students to do so one day with me.

Until next time, New York!

Love,

Mervi

By Ella P.

P.s. The photos in the October in New York blog are mine unless otherwise indicated.

American Museum on Natural History October 8, 2025

American Museum of Natural History

We started our journey by heading north of your accommodation as the museum was also located on the west side of the Central Park. It was nice to be inside for a while, since it was raining outside – for the first and last time while we were in New York. We explored the vast museum extensively, but due to the limited time, we couldn’t explore it all. Some of the most intriguing sites were the gem gallery, the massive Blue Whale and the Easter Island Statue. We had tickets for the Invisible Worlds, too. We enjoyed walking through the immersive exhibition. Before leaving, we also went to watch the Space Show, Encounters in the Milky Way. Overall, the visit to the AMNH was definitely worth it.

By Mervi

Photo by Eetu

NYU and Washington Square Park

NYU New York University

October 3rd was our first full day in New York. After a long and quite draining day of travelling, the city welcomed us with sunshine and a clear sky. It was almost as hot as during the summer in Helsinki, but a cool breeze made the temperature - dare I say - perfect. We started our first day with a private bus tour around the city. One of our stops was Washington Square Park, which is located in Greenwich Village. The park serves as the heart of New York University’s campus. All the other buildings of the campus are set around the premises of the park.

We wandered through the park for a hot minute. It was full of tourists, New Yorkers, and especially students. Some were enjoying their lunch with friends, while others were buried in their books. We even saw a woman in her graduation gown posing for graduation photos with a photographer. The park truly felt like the heart of the campus, it was alive and vibrant.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to go inside the university buildings as a group. However, visiting the park and soaking up its atmosphere was a wonderful substitute for experiencing the campus and student life first-hand.

Photo by Fiia

Columbia University Bookstore

Columbia University Bookstore

Photo by Anastasija

Unfortunately we couldn’t visit the Columbia University campus due to the restrictions still in place in early October but we did get to visit the Columbia bookstore.

The store was huge and it wasn’t only books. You could find magnets, posters, hats et cetera about Columbia university but the most fascinating part for me were the clothes. It was insane to see school merch on a brand like Lululemon. The brand is known for their athletic clothes and has become more and more popular in recent years.

The bookstore was amazing as it held books of every kind, from religious books to sci-fi novels. The staff was also really helpful which was wonderful to see.

Columbia University was founded in 1754, which makes it one of the oldest universities in the country. However, the bookstore was opened in the late 1990’s. Some might think that it’s a separate building but the store is actually a part of the original Lerner hall.

Upper West Side and Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle Upper West Side and West Side YMCA

The Upper West Side is not your stereotypical New York neighborhood. Its tree-lined streets, small cafés, bookstores, and modern design give it a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the rest of Manhattan. The Upper West Side is home to places like Lincoln Center and American Museum of Natural History. It is also considered one of the cultural hubs of Manhattan. The Upper West Side is one of Manhattan’s high-end neighborhoods.

Just south of the Upper West Side lies Columbus Circle which has a completely different mood. It’s bright, busy, and filled with people. It is a major tourist destination and traffic circle located at the southwest corner of Central Park where Broadway, Central Park West, and 8th Avenue meet. The most famous part of Columbus Circle is a monument of Christopher Columbus made in 1892. The other three main things around the Circle are the USS Maine National Monument, Trump International Hotel and Tower and The Deutsche Bank Center.

The West Side YMCA is Community Center located on The Upper West Side near Columbus Circle. It has a wide range of programs from sports to art for every age group. It also has a dormitory which was quite a culture shock. The staff was welcoming, though, and the gym looked great. I probably wouldn’t stay there again but would happily use their other services.

Public transportation in NYC

We used public transportation quite frequently to get around the city. The first time I went down to a subway station I was quite startled and puzzled, it seemed so confusing. However, in the end it was quite easy to navigate the subway and my friends and I also used the subway a lot. Our closest subway station, Columbus Circle, became very dear to us.

All in all, Manhattan was quite easy to navigate, with the streets and avenues. We used the local buses less, but they also seemed to work well. It was convenient that you could use your MetroCard to pay the bus fee, so we didn’t need to get separate tickets for the buses. One of my favorite things we did while in New York was when my friends and I took the subway down to Soho. Public transportation in NYC reminded me a lot of the public transportation that we have in Finland. In my opinion, we had a very pleasant experience with both the subway and the buses.

Photos by Vendla

Grand Central Terminal October 6, 2025

Grand Central Terminal

We visited Grand Central Terminal on the fifth day of our trip. Earlier that day, we had explored the New York Public Library, and since Grand Central Terminal is located only two blocks away, it was a convenient next stop. Once we arrived at the station, we were given some free time to eat and explore the station.

If you stood still in the middle of the main concourse, you could feel the heartbeat of New York. People rushed in every direction and yet there was a certain rhythm to the chaos. Occasionally, there were people playing the piano, and for a moment, the constant motion slowed down as people gathered to listen.

People from all walks of life passed by—commuters, tourists, families, and businesspeople—each with their own story and destination. The diversity and movement made the place feel truly alive.

The architecture was breathtaking. The vast arched windows, the grand chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, and the beautifully detailed stonework all contributed to the station’s timeless charm. While it was undoubtedly grand and majestic, it was also incredibly decorative, filled with small details that made it more than just a transportation hub—a piece of living history.

All photos by Tommi

Don Giovanni at the MET October 7, 2025

Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera

Our night out on the 7^th of October took place at the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center, just a 5-minute walk away from our accommodation. After visiting the Consulate of Finland, we were given enough time to change into our formal attire. We took many pictures of each other in front of the fountain and the beautiful Art Deco-inspired building.

In Mr. Sumelles’ words Don Giovanni (1787), composed by Mozart, is the classic of the opera classics. Although Don Giovanni was written in Italian, an English translation was shown on the small screen in front of you. Mr. Sumelles also prepared us for the famous scene where Don Giovanni’s servant Leporello counts all of his master’s past lovers with detailed, scandalous descriptions.

The MET’s Don Giovanni took place in a gray, contemporary town, with characters wearing costumes from an undefined era. This ambiguous twist not only drew focus to the music and singing but also reminded us that Don Giovanni will always remain a timeless piece.

In a row further ahead, two Italian ladies kept talking during the performance, which really bothered the couple seated next to them. Meanwhile, I was dealing with minor technical difficulties with my translation screen. After the applause, we soon headed back to our accommodation. My night ended with Goldfish and Pop Tarts.

Visiting the Consulate General October 7, 2025

Tuesday October 7th

On Tuesday morning our New York group took a break from sightseeing for a more serious visit. Our next destination was the Consulate General of Finland in New York and Finland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The meeting with representatives from both institutions took place on the 35th floor of a skyscraper on Third Avenue.

When we arrived at the meeting room high above the city, we were greeted by Deputy Consul General Keijo Karjalainen. Our visit began with Mr. Karjalainen explaining the basic scope of the Consulate Generals activities. The institution’s missions include promoting trade relations and supporting Finnish cultural activities in the United States. The Consulate General is also responsible for strengthening Finland’s national brand. After becoming familiar with the Consulate General’s work, we moved on to asking questions and discussing themes ranging from Mr. Karjalainen’s career to the challenges New York City is currently facing.

Halfway through our visit, Deputy Permanent Representative Lauri Voionmaa joined us to present Finland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The agency’s task is to represent Finland’s policies within the UN. As in the first part of our meeting, after learning the basics, we discussed a wide range of topics with Mr. Voionmaa — from global politics to the United States’ role in the UN and the future prospects of the organization. As Mr. Voionmaa described, New York City is the “global center of diplomacy.”

As our visit neared its end, the conversation turned into more everyday matters. Together with Mr. Karjalainen and Mr. Voionmaa, we shared our group’s experiences in New York so far, and on the other hand, we got to hear what everyday life in the Big Apple is like from a Finnish perspective. Our group would like to thank the Consulate General, the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, and their representatives, Mr. Voionmaa and Mr. Karjalainen for an educational and engaging visit!

High Line and meeting with Heli C.

High Line

Hi guys!

On Tuesday 6th of October we visited the High Line. High Line is an elevated park built on top of a former railway. It’s filled with different kinds of art, for example, a huge statue of a pigeon, which was a group favorite.

The High Line begins in Hudson Yards where skyscrapers are piercing through the cloud cover. Needless to say the views are immaculate.

We were also accompanied by an Munkka alumni Heli who works as a teacher at the UN school in New York. She told us extensively about her path to working as a teacher in New York and also about the daily life of an actual New Yorker.

Due to our busy schedule we didn’t have the chance to walk the whole length of the High Line. However, from what we gathered from our small exploration I can personally say that it's definitely worth the visit.

Photo by Vili

MoMA October 6, 2025

MoMA the Museum of Modern Art PART 1

Photos by Matylda

On Monday, October 6th, we visited MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Our guided tour started at 9:30 a.m. and lasted until around 10:45. We actually got to have the tour before the museum officially opened, which made the experience even more special since it was quiet and not crowded.

Our guide, Carolina, was really nice and made the tour interactive by asking us questions about what we thought of the artworks.

We mainly went through one floor, which focused on modern and contemporary art. There were many interesting and sometimes strange pieces — paintings, sculptures, and even video installations. Some of the works made us think about what really counts as “art,” and it was fun to share our opinions with the group.

After the tour, we had some free time to explore the museum on our own. Some people went to see the famous artworks like Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, while others visited the museum shop or café.

Overall, it was an inspiring visit. MoMA gave us a chance to experience art in new ways and think about how modern art can express different ideas and emotions.

MoMA – Museum of Modern Art, New York City PART 2

It was a privilege to have been able to get a private visit to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Our guide, Dawn, lead us through the huge museum and presented art made by African American artists during different times in history - such as Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series depicting the happenings of African Americans migrating to the north from the south of the USA. With 60 art panels, the wall is dedicated to Jacob Lawrence, which is a spectacular narrative of history.

Further into the museum we discussed the meanings behind each piece of art and how it had impacted during the time it was made. Romare Bearden was an African American artist who made experimented with multiple art forms, such as collaging art which we were able to see ourselves in MoMA. During the creations of the collage pieces, he listened to jazz music and created this art with the feelings that the music had brought up. After discussing Romare Bearden’s art pieces, we had a chance to create our own collage art to jazz music!

After the very pleasant tour, we had free time to explore the museum to our heart’s content. As a fan of expressionism and impressionism, I explored every single crevice of that museum! Claude Monet, an artist I would never skip. His art is something you should experience at least once in your life, the way his art captures the beauty of nature is something I have never seen before. We, of course, could not miss Van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night painting. It is a staple in art history and leaves an impression on all.

I wish we could’ve been there for longer, as the museum covers so many different art forms and artists from many eras. I would have probably spent the whole day there if we didn’t have anything else planned.

xoxo Ella Siikaluoma

Photos by Ella S.

The Brooklyn Bridge October 6, 2025

The Brooklyn Bridge

On the fifth day of the trip we took the metro downtown to see one of New York’s most recognizable sites: the Brooklyn Bridge. As we exited the metro station, we immediately saw the bridge ahead of us. There was a way to go before we could get to the main structure of the bridge. The endless stream of people led up to the main supports of the bridge looming over us in the distance. We joined the other pedestrians on the path to the bridge and began our walk in the sunny New York afternoon. The path turned into wood as we started our trek above the water. You could see the river flowing through the cracks in the floorboards. As we got to our destination, we took in the beauty of the surrounding city skylines, sunlight reflecting off each surface. We took some group photos before heading back the way we came.

Photo by Eetu

Fifth Avenue

We got to see Fifth Avenue on our first full day in New York. We had a guided tour throughout New York, and we got to see a little bit of Fifth Avenue then and more in our free time. Fifth Avenue is known for its luxury stores and that is what it really is. For example, we got to see the Louis Vuitton store and other well-known high-end brand stores. I did know that in those high-end stores the service would be fancier than usual, but I hadn’t expected that they would serve me sparkling water there. Fifth Avenue is a very long street. It starts in Greenwich Village and ends in Harlem. It also goes along the east side of Central Park. Everyone has heard of Fifth Avenue before and probably seen it on TV but it truly was awesome to experience it in real life.

Photos by Netta