Syracuse University students prepare to thrive in a changing global society by gaining hands-on learning experiences around the world. In addition to a range of study abroad options through the University’s highly ranked study abroad program, students can also take courses and do internships at locations around the United States.
This includes opportunities to live, learn and work for a full semester in the vibrant hub of arts and culture, innovation and enterprise: New York City. Students enrolled in a semester program in NYC take courses at the University’s academic space in midtown Manhattan, learn from working professionals in their fields, make connections with supportive alumni networks and gain practical experience in one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic cities.
Take to the Stage and Immerse in Theater
“The training I got at Syracuse is core training—training that will always show up,” says Rachel Langetieg ’23 (far left) who is launching her career in musical theater in New York City.
Students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ drama department can spend a semester in NYC immersed in rigorous artistic training and theatrical and cultural experiences—including attending 30+ productions on and off Broadway. During this program, the Tepper Semester—named after the program’s founder, Tony Award-winning producer Arielle Tepper ’94—students are encouraged to make professional connections and explore opportunities that will help them launch their careers in the performing arts.
During the Tepper Semester in NYC, students train with prominent industry professionals and receive one-on-one coaching and support.
Rachel Langetieg ’23, a musical theater major from California, appreciated the chance to acclimate to the city alongside her peers and with the guidance and support of program staff. “And it was such an extraordinary experience,” she adds. “I got to take free dance classes at a reputable studio, see live theater twice a week, and learn from incredible industry professionals who know the business better than anyone.”
An Entry Into Global Business
Zachary Morrison ’24, (center) did an internship at a prestigious financial company. “The connections I made during my internship at Acuity Partners will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in my future career endeavors,” he says.
When Whitman School of Management students enroll in the Whitman Semester in NYC, they gain traction in the heart of global business. Students acquire practical work experience in relevant and prestigious internships, develop strong connections with the alumni network, and navigate a range of social and professional experiences that prepare them for professional success.
“It was an eye-opening experience that has set me on a path I’m passionate about. I gained profound insights into postgraduate life and fulfilled my dream of living and working in the competitive environment of New York City,” said Zachary Morrison ’24, who double majors in finance and real estate. “During my internship with Acuity Partners, I had the privilege of connecting with highly esteemed alumni and delving into the fascinating world of private equity. I sharpened my analytical skills by learning how to underwrite multifamily properties and I was exposed to the intricacies of early-stage venture capital and the pre-IPO secondary market. It was an experience that has prepared me for the dynamic challenges ahead.”
Gain Professional Experience in Journalism and Media
Ava Vulopas ’24 interned at Madison Square Garden and honed her professional skills via Newhouse NYC. “It was a whole semester of learning how to position ourselves so that we’re in the best possible spot when we graduate,” says Vulopas.
During the Newhouse NYC semester, students from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication work prestigious internships and take courses that include tours of media companies and learning sessions with working professionals. Students build professional skills, gain meaningful work experiences, and make connections that prepare them for a successful transition into the media industry after graduation.
Many of the courses offered in the Newhouse NYC semester take students out on field trips into the city and on-site to news and media organizations.
“The professors are all super well-established and well-known in the industry,” says Ava Vulopas ’24, who dual majors in advertising in Newhouse and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the Whitman School of Management. “I learned so much from hearing my professors’ perspectives and feel so much more confident now about what I’m going to do after graduation. I feel I am qualified, and I have connections in the industry that I can reach out to.”
For Vulopas, it was particularly meaningful to connect with alumni of the program. “They talked about when they were in our shoes, how they navigated their semester in NYC and their job application process. Seeing where they are now, just five years later, it was really cool to realize that I can follow their lead and do this too!”
Study Architecture in One of the World’s Most Dynamic Cities
The Fisher Center, the University’s academic space in midtown Manhattan, has studios, lecture rooms and spaces for students like Theodore Dokla ’25 (left) and Kyra Brown ’25 to gather and relax when they take a break from the studio.
School of Architecture students who study in NYC for a semester delve into the complexities and dynamics that shape the city’s infrastructure, vibrant architecture community and wide range of architectural practice. “I’ve really valued the opportunity to critically engage with a different context,” says Theodore Dokla ’25. “As a Syracuse University student, I have lived and studied in Syracuse; Florence, Italy; and now New York City. It has been so impactful to my understanding of the world and myself.”
Dokla previously studied with the School of Architecture’s program in Florence, Italy, and appreciates what he’s learned from the immersive engagement with these different urban landscapes.
Students bridge academic inquiry and professional practice through immersive investigations that help them develop an intimate understanding of NYC’s built environment and of the day-to-day practices of building professionals in a diverse array of organizations. “I’ve learned from a lot of firms that do work I am really interested in and have had a chance to see how their projects are made—that’s been so eye opening,” says Kyra Brown ’25.
Brown, who wants to work in NYC after graduation, appreciates the insight she’s gained into the profession. “When we’re paired with a firm, we get to know the culture, ask questions and have a mentor. There are so many different ways to practice architecture and so many firms in this city—this program helps us understand what firms are like and what they do, and make connections with the ones we’re interested in.”
Put Inclusive Education into Practice
During her teacher training semester in NYC, Elena Perez ’24 learned from Syracuse’s School of Education alumni who are now teachers and administrators at NYC schools that exemplify models of inclusive education.
The School of Education’s Bridge to the City program provides students with a guided student teaching experience and the chance to see ideals of inclusive education applied in diverse classrooms. Students hone their teaching skills and broaden their perspectives on cultures, families and professional practices under the mentorship of seasoned teachers who are, in many cases, alumni of the program.
The supported teacher training placements ensure graduates of School of Education’s inclusive education programs are ready to work confidently with the full range of learners and help all children succeed.
“My favorite part of the Bridge to the City program has been the opportunity to learn from experienced teachers and truly inclusive schools. I have been placed in Community Roots Charter School and in PS 212 Midtown West, which both are so different from any other school I’ve been in before. I find myself learning so much every day and wanting to take note of so many things for when I have a classroom in the future,” says Elena Perez ’24 who majors in inclusive elementary and special education (grades 1-6).
Perez says her experience with Bridge to the City has helped her clarify her goals for the future. “I hope to teach in a school in NYC that values inclusion and social justice as much as the ones I have been in for student teaching,” she says. “I hope to make a difference in kids’ lives as a teacher and create a classroom that is culturally responsive and reflects the students I have in my room.”
