Your Best Tool for Abroad & Learning English

Living in any area of the country (or the world, for that matter) can have the potential of being dangerous—depending on the time of day (or night), the location, or the people you surround yourself with, danger can essentially be anywhere. New York City has the reputation is being more dangerous than other large cities, but as long as you’re careful and mindful, you can avoid common mistakes and deter potentially dangerous situations. If you’re still a bit new to the English language, you might feel this nervousness a bit prevalently due to the barrier, but I’ve broken it down a bit here to make it easier for you so you can still enjoy the city and all the wonderful things it has to offer.

1. Always have a full cell phone battery

Technology is a wonderful enhancement to our daily lives of course, so it’s important to try your best to maintain a healthy battery life while you’re out on the town. You never know what might happen and when you may need to contact someone or use one of your apps—you never really know when you might need your phone until you’ve lost your battery life, right? A very smart and worth-it investment is a remote battery pack for your phone—when I travel or when I know I’ll be away from an outlet for a long period of time, this little guy has saved me more than once. I highly recommend getting one of these—they’re cheap and easy to carry. And since English is a bit newer to you, you’ll be able to continue using your translation apps in the case of an emergency.

2. Be wary of the subway

One of the best pieces of advice I received upon moving to New York City was to avoid the subways after 11 pm. It’s not that terrible things happen underground after this time, but there are simply less people traveling at this hour. This means people tend to be braver when it comes to stealing or harassing people, and if you’ve spent enough time in New York City, you know that we have our fair share of eccentric individuals. I told myself that if I find myself still out after this hour, I’ll shell out the extra money to get a cab or another car service. Plus, being new to English also means that you can avoid talking to these subway people!

3. Lose the headphones

When I’m commuting to and from work during rush hours, I feel fine keeping my ear buds in because I’m surrounded by hundreds of people during these time periods. But again, if you find yourself out past 11 pm, I suggest losing them so your hearing is at its best. Walking at night will automatically heighten your senses, but you want to be extra alert when it comes to your hearing since your vision won’t be as strong and you’ll have to rely on your hearing to listen to footsteps around you, oncoming voices, or even wavering vehicles. This is a “better safe than sorry” instance. If you’re still practicing your English, I’d also recommend having a speed dial on your phone in the event you feel something is off just so you can talk to someone during this feeling of unease.

4. Stay with the lights

As a petite female, I find that my levels of fear are pretty high in comparison to others just because my ability to physically defend myself is pretty low. So I realized that another detail that helped lessen my anxiety was to stay close to pockets of the city that are well-lit. Think about walking around Times Square at night—you feel pretty safe not only because of all the people and security but also because of the lights, right? So if you find yourself feeling a bit worried or concerned about getting around at night, be sure to stay in these areas with lots of people and plenty of light then hail a cab from there. They say that people can smell fear, and if there are bad people out there and can sense your discomfort, you can become an easy target. Plus, as I’ve said before, New York City is a huge melting pot, so if you need help with translation, there’s bound to someone in this area that can help you out!

New York City is a magical and wonderful city, so don’t let others make you feel paranoid or afraid of living here—as long as you’re careful and mindful, you’ll be just fine!

A few months ago, I introduced a few television shows that take place in New York City and how accurate they are; some of them were completely unrealistic (think, “Friends”) while some of them were a bit accurate when it came to life in the Big Apple (even “Seinfeld” was pretty accurate). I wanted to write this post about shows that currently film in New York City—you might have walked past during one or two of these before while they’re filming actually! They’ll typically close down a road, and you’ll see trailers up and down the streets for wardrobe, props, and even catering. Most times they’ll post what they’re filming and what days on the street’s telephone poles. This is enough for me to get excited about it—I’ll poke my head up and see if I can see any of my favorite actors! Taking a note of the following shows that shoot in New York City will not only get you interested in these programs, but you’ll easily pick up enough English (and New York City) lingo to help your learning process.

1. Blue Bloods, CBS

This show has been on since 2010 and has made quite a name for itself in the police procedural drama realm. It takes place in New York City, so you’ll see them quite a bit all over the city streets in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan—specifically in the East Village. This is a great way to get familiar with not only police work in New York City, but it will help you practice your English, especially your conversational phrases. Since most of the actors speak quickly and frequently with each other, their English is often clumped together, so it’ll help you get used to the speed of speaking English.

2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC

This specific franchise has been around for almost 20 years now, so the show has evolved quite a bit over time. Focusing on legal and crime procedures in New York City, the program focuses on special cases and how the legal and police authorities work their way through each one. The show is shot in all five boroughs, so chances are pretty high that you might run into a taping or two during your time in the Big Apple. Some of the language in this show might be tricky with legal and police jargon, but it’s still great for learning conversational terms and watch how certain professionals conduct themselves.

3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix

This is actually one of my favorite shows, and I was so excited when I learned that it was shot in New York City. The show is about a young woman that comes to the city for a fresh start, but she’s a bit behind the times, so she has to learn new fashion, new slang terms, and how to take care of herself as she also learns about living in the city. If you are new to the English language, this is also a great show to watch since you’re watching the lead character adapt to New York City but also adapt to a brand new language all over again.

4. Jessica Jones, Netflix

If you’re into superhero plots, this is a great one for you to enjoy. The main character opens up her own detective agency and follows her and her fellow agents as they adapt to this new business structure. You might also like this since it’s filmed in New York City. The show does its best to not necessarily name their town as New York City, but sometimes it’s hard to miss that it is indeed the Big Apple. If you’re familiar with Hell’s Kitchen, you might recognize some of the sights and architecture pieces in certain scenes. Even though there is a bit of a supernatural element in this show, it’s still a great way to learn some new English phrases while you’re still getting to know New York City.

Learning English during your time in New York City doesn’t necessarily have to be tedious—all you need to do is catch a few episodes of this show, and you’ll start looking for familiar scenery from the city and picking up on common English phrases and maybe even picking up some new slang!

New York City is of course full of plenty of things to do and see, but it can be tricky to muster the energy or the motivation in February when the weather is unpredictable, frigid, and often quite unbearable. Plus, the comfort and coziness of your home can be convincing enough to sway you to stay in and catch up on your Netflix shows—but fight the urge! Luckily, even in the dreary month of February in the middle of winter, there are still plenty of ways to spend your time and enjoy the sights of New York City. Plus, if you’re learning English, these activities are also great ways to practice your vocabulary and put your social and verbal skills to good use. So put on your heaviest winter jacket, check the weather forecast, and get out there!

1. Super Bowl—Sunday, February 4

This is one of my favorite times of the year! As an avid football fan, I look forward to this day for months! In an earlier post, I introduced you to the football teams based in New York City—this game is the championship between the two best teams of the season, so this game is basically for all the marbles! To celebrate, people come together to cheer on their favorite team and eat tons of food. If you feel like celebrating the game with hundreds of other football fans in New York City, make sure you plan ahead—bars fill up quickly! Make sure your English football terms are brushed off before heading out: “Touchdown!,” “Go team go!,” and “First down!” are all phrases you’ll overhear, so get ready!

2. Mardi Gras—Tuesday, February 13

If you’ve learned anything about New York City by now, you know that New York City does everything big. Mardi Gras is no exception! This occasion is widely celebrated in Louisiana, but of course, New York City celebrates the day just as colorfully. Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a time when people feast and enjoy amazing jazz music before Lent. Since the origin of this holiday takes place in the New Orleans area, you’ll notice people replicate the traditions of this region: people stuff themselves with BBQ, dress in purple and gold beads, and blast funk, blues, R&B, and jazz. If you feel inclined to join the party, this is a great way to practice your social English skills. Grab a group of friends and hit your favorite jazz club and brush up on some BB King lyrics!

3. Valentine’s Day—Wednesday, February 14

Chances are you’re already familiar with this holiday. You’ll discover that you’re going to be surrounded by all things romantic: restaurants will offer sweetheart specials, chocolate boutiques will feature discounted packages for those in love, and you’ll also probably start to notice many more jeweler advertisements. I find that if you’re in a relationship or single, any of these kinds of destinations are going to be hard to get into this time of year. If you’re looking to practice your English Valentine’s Day vocabulary, I recommend picking up a pack of candy hearts that have the sayings on them—they’ll tell you exactly how to communicate with your special someone!

4. Chinese New Year Parade—Sunday, February 25

Head to Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year! The parade starts at 1 pm, but be sure to get there early so you can secure a great spot—it covers areas from Mott Street to Canal Street then continues to East Broadway and Sara Roosevelt Park. Also, be sure to come hungry because Chinese restaurants from all over the city come to the parade and serve some of their best dishes. You’ll get to see traditional Chinese dances, traditions, and dress. Even if you’re new to English, this is a great time to do some quick research on Chinese phrases so you can mingle with the crowd—and you never know: you might help someone else that may be new to English!

Even if you’re still getting your grasp on the English language, these activities will still allow you to enjoy New York City in the coldest months of the year. February is a great time to take advantage of your English practice, so be sure you don’t become a hermit—get out there and practice!

New York City, if you haven’t learned so by now, has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. Small and family-owned businesses struggle on a daily basis to get by while in competition with more powerful big-box retailers. Talented performers, like singers, actors, and musicians, often barely scrape by while trying to pursue their dreams in this great yet competitive city. The winters in New York City are often the most difficult time of the year for these individuals, for the harsh temperatures create higher electric bills, slowed transportation, and unlivable conditions. If you have spare time, money, or goods that might help these struggling people, here are a few ways you can volunteer and give back. Plus, these organizations will help you with your English skills, as human interaction is at the very core of these causes. Not only will you get your language practice, but you’ll be helping to make someone else’s day as well.

1. DEED app

If you’re not sure where to start, consider downloading this app to help you brainstorm. To start, all you need to do is add in your location (your zip code or borough), and all the local charities and volunteer opportunities will pop up in your feed, allowing you to choose what stands out to you the most. You can organize your options by location, date, or kind of service. This is the best way to get started and to get you motivated; once you volunteer the first time, you’ll want to keep doing it, guaranteed. Plus, once you’re out there with one group, you can share your information with others, which will not only exercise your English social skills, but you’ll hear about other volunteer and non-profit groups for future community outreach days.

2. NYC Service

This is another digital option to have customized volunteer options curated for you. Whether it’s helping the environment with planting trees in the park or helping young children with reading, writing, or arithmetic, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to helping others. Plus, think about this: if you’re brushing up on your English, consider helping others with their English. By practicing and learning together, you both could help each other strengthen your skills. Pretty cool, right??

3. Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Times Square

Nope, you’re not mistaken—I meant to include this! When I first moved to New York City, this restaurant was one of my first must-see places. With its location so close to Broadway’s biggest theatres, this diner employs performance art hopefuls. Every couple of minutes, a server that has hopes of making it to Broadway will grab a microphone and start singing and dancing to classic and popular showtunes for everyone’s entertainment. Try singing along to practice your English—you might be surprised how easy it is to remember English words when they’re set to music! While performing, the manager will pass around a bucket that is meant to collect cash tips and donations, designed to help these hopefuls with their singing, acting, and dancing lessons. By visiting this destination, not only will you be fed and entertained, but you can walk away with the enormous feeling of helping each hopeful performer get one step closer to their dreams.

4. Donate to thrift shops

There are endless destinations in New York City that accept donations. Places like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and general thrift stores are always looking for and happy to accept used clothing, furniture, toys, home goods, or even books that you may not use or need anymore. As I mentioned before, there are thousands of people and families in New York City that can barely get by, so these individuals rely on the donations and goodwill of others to aid them in their daily lives. If you’re looking to give back but may be short on time or services, consider sifting through your closets or cabinets, and gather all the items that are just taking up space. By donating them to these centers, not only will you free space in your living area, but even better, you’ll know your things will help someone else’s life. Get used to hearing the English phrase, “Thank you” quite a bit as you’re giving back—it’ll make you feel wonderful.

If you guys know anything about me by now, it’s that I’m always talking about NOT hibernating and staying indoors. We live in the greatest city in the world (in my opinion!), so why stay inside and miss all the spectacular things this city has to offer? But I’ll be honest with you. This time of year, it really is very easy (and tempting) to stay inside and snuggle up with cozy blankets and slippers and just relax with hot cocoa and Netflix rather than facing the brutal elements outside. Between the snow and cold temperatures and wind, sometimes all I need to do is look out the window to convince me to stay inside. So, I say, go ahead, and give into this desire every once in a while! I’ve come up with some creative ideas on what to do indoors if you’re planning some hibernation time this January. And of course, each idea has some creative ways you can keep your English practice fresh and in-use.

1. Netflix – OF COURSE!

I honestly have no idea how I got through life without Netflix—without commercials, I can catch up on my shows, rewatch some of my favorites, or even start ones that I never would have considered before—it’s just too easy! With my friends and family always telling me, “You would LOVE this show,” I find that I’m always adding more to my queue—not a bad problem to have! If you remember in my movie post from a few months ago, watching movies and television shows in English is a really fun (and somewhat mindless) way to “practice” your English. Because your full attention isn’t on “learning” or “practicing” the language, you might find that it’s a lot easier to pick up on sayings, slang, or even common inside jokes. For example, I never watched “Friends” when it was still on television. But now that it’s over and they put the whole series up on Netflix, I easily binged all ten seasons, and then I finally understood all the jokes that people would make about the show when before they all went over my head!

2. Baking and cooking

This is something that I wish I would do more often to be honest with you. I’ve never been too skilled in the kitchen—I’m not very patient, and I never really had any interest in learning how to do anything besides making pasta and toast. (Hey, I’ve made it this far in my adulthood—I’ll be fine!) But when the weather is miserable and you want to learn to make a new dish, January is the time to do it. Consider a dish using ingredients that you already have—there are websites where you put in what you have, and they’ll spit out a variety of options that you can make with those items. Talk about a fun challenge! Or maybe do the opposite: find a recipe that looks and sounds delectable, gather the ingredients at your local market or grocery store, then challenge yourself to make it! Not only will you appreciate the time indoors, but you’ll be able to say you pulled off a brand new dish! And of course, this is great practice for your English reading. Between the measurements, instructions, and recipe shopping, you’ll be a pro any time you need to make another meal! Plus, your friends/roommates will love reaping the benefits of your new hobby!

3. Host a game night

If you have roommates or friends in the neighborhood (so they don’t have to travel far to get to you), consider organizing a game night at your place. Have everyone either make or bring a dish for everyone to enjoy (like chips and dip, hot cocoa mix, or even wine if you’re looking for more of an “adult” game night), then pull out all of the best board or card games you have. Games like Pictionary and Charades are great for large parties, and it’ll be so much fun watching your friends trying to act out or draw their favorite movies or television shows. When I was in college, my roommates and I would host a game night and play Rummy until the sun came up. It was a great way to bring everyone together for laughs—and it was convenient since we saved money and avoided the harsh weather. For your English practice, these nights are great for your social speaking skills, and honestly, your vocabulary! If you’re playing Pictionary, it’s almost like using flashcards! Perfect!

Now that the hustle and bustle is over from Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year, you might be looking for something to do in January in New York City. Fret not, because there is PLENTY! If your New Year’s resolution is to get out more and not waste your winter months hibernating, here are just a few ideas that I’ve gathered to keep you active, even in one of the most blustery months of the year. Plus, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, perfecting your English is only going to get easier if you interact with others outside of the classroom. This is the perfect time to meet new people and commiserate about the cold weather, the shorter days, or even the post-Christmas slump. Everyone is in agreement when it comes to those topics, so what better way to engage with others? You never know—you may even make new friends this way AND perfect your English speaking skills! Who knew New York City could be so educational?

1. Restaurant Week: January 22^nd – February 9^th, 2018; multiple NYC locations

This is one of my favorite times of the year in New York City. You probably know by now that I’m very mindful of my money and spending, and it’s also no secret that the Big Apple can be pretty expensive. Eating out can be a luxury at times, and trying out new restaurants is an experiment in budgeting. Too often, I simply have to turn down a dinner party invite if a restaurant is too expensive for my window of spending; but during Restaurant Week, I can finally try out all those locations that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. Select eateries throughout the city (over 300!) participate in this, in which they offer a prix-fixe menu including 3 courses with a discounted price. This way, people like me—people on a budget—can try out the food that makes their restaurant so highly regarded. Check out the lineup, and you’ll be sure to find a spot you’ve been dying to try! Just some advice: make a reservation and arrive on time (or even early), as this timing is VERY popular, and you don’t want to lose your table! You’ll be exposed to unique menu items, and given the packed locations, you’ll be mingling with many people, so this is a great way to incorporate your written AND spoken English—you’re always learning in NYC!

2. Winter Jam in Central Park; January 28, 2018; 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

If you’re aching for some outdoor snowy activities and don’t have the means to travel to the slopes, look no further than Central Park! On this day only, the Bandshell area of the park is covered in artificial snow so that you can get in some snow time. If you’re brand new to skiing or even if you’re a seasoned snowboarder, this is a great time to check this out! If the slopes aren’t your cup of tea, you can also watch live ice sculpting, catch some ice bowling, and there’s even a market to get some light shopping in! This is a great time to bring friends and do something totally different for the day! Since this is also an activity in which you’ll be interacting with vendors and shopkeepers, you’ll be getting plenty of spoken English practice, and you may even meet some new friends!

3. Post-Holiday Shopping; all over New York City

You might have noticed that shops and malls were packed throughout December as people did their Christmas and Hannukah shopping. In my experience, I generally try to avoid these areas for practically the whole month since it’s just too crowded for my taste! But come January, the crowds die down a bit, and for me, I feel like I can enjoy shopping again. Plus, I tend to get quite a few gift cards each year for Christmas, so January is a great time to spend them. Additionally, practically all the shopping areas host post-holiday sales that really make you want to take advantage of the great deals. This is a great time to check out the prime shopping areas (think Macy’s and practically anything on 5^th Avenue) since the crowds are a bit lighter and the sales just make it worth it. Again, you’ll be interacting with lots of vendors and shop owners, so this is a great opportunity to put your spoken English skills to use.

If you find yourself in New York City for New Year’s Eve and looking for something iconic to do, here are just some of the best options—if you’re in the mood to go all out or looking for an activity a bit more mellow, there’s a little bit of everything here so you can start your 2018 on the right foot! Don’t forget to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in your best practiced English!

Behind Christmas, New Year’s Eve is easily the most popular holiday in New York City. Times Square, the most-visited tourist attraction in the Big Apple, is home for this annual countdown to the new year. Thousands of people gather anywhere within the Broadway and Seventh Avenue neighborhood to get a sight and view of the sparkly ball that will drop at midnight to ring in 2018. While this is the typical activity on this day, there are so many other options to ring in the new year in New York City. Luckily, if you’re new to English, this is a great time of year to brush up on your social English skills, as many people will be out and about, so you won’t find any shortage of people to talk to! Here are some of the most popular things to do in New York City on December 31^st and January 1^st. Take your pick—you won’t be let down!

1. Times Square; Manhattan

Yup, this is the location that everyone thinks about for New Year’s Eve. While it looks elegant and festive on television, I must warn you: you will be standing outside for hours on end, in the same spot, without bathrooms or food, and you don’t want to leave your spot because you WILL lose it. If this all sounds like something you still want to do, make sure you come early, well-dressed, stocked with food, and make sure you use the restroom before you leave. You’ll be surrounded with THOUSANDS of people, so this is a great time to practice your “Happy New Year!” openers!

2. New Year’s Eve Night Bike Ride; Brooklyn to Manhattan

If you’re looking to stay away from the bar scene, this is a great solution for you! Grab your bike, as the ride will start at night in Brooklyn, and you and your fellow riders will travel over to Central Park to ring in 2018. When you arrive, everyone will be together for a fun party—and the bonus is that you got a great exercise out of it! This is a great way to meet new people, so brush up on your English “nice to meet you” and “what brings you to New York?” Just make sure you don’t drink too much so you and your bike can get home safely!

3. Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Swim; Coney Island, Brooklyn

This might seem crazy since the thought of getting into the ocean in the middle of winter is a bit ridiculous, but this event is incredibly popular with the New York City locals. These (slightly crazy) partakers will disrobe their winter layers and plunge into the ocean for a quick shock to the system. If this doesn’t sound sane for you, plenty of people go to the location to just see for it themselves and cheer on the bold and brave. Head down to Coney Island in Brooklyn so you can brush up on your English social phrases, like: “These people are crazy!” or “I could never do something like this!” or even “Maybe I’ll do this next year—it kind of looks like fun! Why not?!”

4. Keep the party at home!

If you’re anything like I am, the older I get, I find it’s more difficult to stay up all night to celebrate the holiday. Or sometimes I find myself turned off by all the crowds on December 31^st. So if you’re like me, bring the party home! Invite your friends for a decked out New Year’s Eve celebration at your place—have everyone bring snacks and drinks, play the best hits of 2017, set up a trivia game for all the events that took place that year, and toast to a healthy and happy 2018! You might find that you have more fun this way, and chances are, you’ll probably save a lot more money this way, too! Plus, if any of your friends are practicing their English like you are, what a great opportunity to mingle with these people so you can all practice together!

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year—amazing food, reunions with loved ones, and appreciation for all the blessings you have in your life. If you’re travelling out of New York City for the holiday or if you find yourself staying in the Big Apple, here are few tips and tricks when it comes to making leaving (or staying!) as seamless and painless as possible. Brush up on your holiday wish phrases before you head out so your holiday spirit stays strong and positive!

You might remember from an earlier post a few months ago when I talked about ways to travel outside of New York City—it might be helpful to pull that article up again because during the whole month of December, you might find that it’s one of the biggest travel times of the year—much like summer when everyone is taking their vacations. Because of Christmas or Channukah, thousands of people that call New York City home will be travelling all over the world to reunite with their families to celebrate these respective holidays. If you’re staying in the city for these events, be mindful of where you go in the city during the busiest time of the year. If you’re one of the many that will be travelling elsewhere beyond New York City, here are few tips and tricks I’ve come up with during my time here to make it just a little bit easier—otherwise, you might find yourself frustrated or spending way more money than you should! Also, if you’re new to English, these tips should be helpful since as you know, this city is a melting pot of international people, so you won’t be alone! I’ll include a few universal phrases that will help you get through the hubbub of the season.

1. Book ahead

If you’re travelling, it’s helpful to book your trip as far in advance as possible. If you’re flying by plane or train, you might find that flights around the Christmas holiday book up quickly, so if you wait until the last minute, not only will your options be minimalized significantly, but they’ll raise the prices exponentially simply because they can and they know you’ll pay it! Using sites like Orbitz and Trip Advisor will help you compare competitor prices so you know what the average rate is and how each company compares to one another. The longer you wait, typically the more you’ll pay. It’s also helpful to be mindful of traps—if you find a deal that’s almost too good to be true, pay attention to the fine print (here’s where your English reading skills will come in handy!), as they’ll take on tons of fees to more or less make their money back.

2. Pick times typically not popular

Consider taking a red-eye flight (overnight or first thing in the morning) to avoid crowds and maybe even higher costs. Many people travel in the middle of the day or during typical rush hour times, so these are when your airports and train stations are going to be the most congested, which will no doubt contribute to your limited patience. If you’re okay with waking up in the middle of the night or travelling when the rest of the city is asleep, it might be worth it so your jolliness will stay upbeat. If you find yourself travelling during these less-than-popular times a day, you’ll find that you may not be interacting with too many people. But still make sure you practice your “Happy Holidays” with those that you do encounter to keep the spirit alive during the stressful travel times.

3. Avoid the travel hotspots

If you’re staying in New York City for the holidays, you’re going to be in for a wonderful surprise. The city will feel oddly empty, and it will make you feel like you have the whole place to yourself! Now is the time to try out that store that’s always packed or enjoy the serenity of a less-populated Central Park in December. It will feel wonderful! Keep in mind, however, that thousands of people do in fact leave the city in some way or the other, so it would be wise to avoid neighborhoods around Penn Station or Grand Central. Avoid the Lincoln Tunnel and the FDR. If you’re in Queens, avoid the neighborhoods around La Guardia and JFK. These places will have incredibly congested traffic this time of year, so plan ahead and be sure to avoid these areas. Otherwise, the only English phrase you’ll be using is, “Excuse me.”

Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? Luckily for you, you’re in the one of the greatest cities in the world to get a taste of the most festive time of the year. Here are just a few options for you to explore while you’re getting to know the city AND the English language!

Even if you’re unfamiliar with New York City or the English language, chances are you’re pretty well-versed on the Christmas holiday. What you MAY not know, however, is that New York City takes the Christmas very seriously, as the whole island tends to turn into one giant illumination spectacle. With festive lights and creative decoration displays at every corner, Christmas is impossible to miss in New York City. If you’re new to the Big Apple, here are a few of the most timeless Christmas traditions that New York City is known for. And if English is not your dominant language, there are a few adjustment tips within the piece to help you get adjusted to the time of the year, the language, AND the bright lights of the most amazing city in the world!

1. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; Rockefeller Center, 49^th Street between 5^th & 6^th

If you know anything about New York City, this is probably one of the most well-known displays throughout the whole year. This year, thousands of New Yorkers (and tourists!) came to this exciting square to watch the Lighting Ceremony on November 29^th. At 78-feet tall and weighing in at over 10 tons, the spruce tree is covered with over 45,000 lights, absolutely covering the area with festive and exciting light. The tree will stay up until January 7^th, so you’ll have plenty of time to see it if you miss the first lighting. Beware that this is one of the most highly trafficked destinations in the city, so be mindful about when you go (maybe Saturday afternoon isn’t the BEST time to check it out). While you’re there, this is a great time to practice your social English since there won’t be anything to read or write. React to the beauty of the scenery with other viewers—try, “How beautiful, right?!” or “This reminds me that I should really start my Christmas shopping!” Others will laugh along and most likely agree with you!

2. The Bryant Park Winter Village; Bryant Park, 40^th Street between 5^th & 6^th

This is another one of those must-sees if you find yourself in New York City during the Christmas season. Their greatest claim to fame is their 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink, so don’t forget your skates (or you can rent a pair for $20)! The other great part about this location is that the square sets up seasonally relevant shops and kiosks so you can eat and drink your way through the park while you start your Christmas shopping—or just shop for yourself! Again, this is another hugely popular spot, so think carefully about when you visit. (I’d avoid the weekends if you can.) Since you’ll be interacting with shop and rink employees as you make your way through the park, this is a great way to practice your questions, your “please” and “thank you”s, and you might also notice that people are just generally a bit more friendly this time of year, so be sure to return the smiles!

3. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights; Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, 11^th to 13^th Avenues from 83^rd to 86^th Streets

If you feel like getting out of Manhattan, think about heading over to Brooklyn to check out this unique show of festive lights. In this neighborhood, houses for blocks go all out with their lights and Christmas decorations—some are even set to music! While this spot is also super popular with residents and tourists alike, be mindful about when you go if you want to avoid overcrowding. Again, this is a great opportunity to practice your social English since you’ll be travelling in a giant pack of other spectators. Everyone will be willing to participate in your mutual awe!

4. SantaCon; Manhattan, Saturday, December 9^th, 2017

Santa Suit 5K; Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Sunday, December 10^th, 2017

These two occasions are incredibly popular for New Yorkers. For SantaCon, it’s an excuse to dress up as Santa Claus and day-drink—participating bars throughout Manhattan will offer bar specials for anyone part of the group, so if you’re looking for more of a social gathering this season, this is it for you! Again, this is a perfect time to practice your social English. If you’re looking to get use out of your Santa outfit but not interested in the day-drinking part, they have a 5K throughout Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Or maybe you want to do both—nothing better than curing a hangover than with a solid 3.2 mile run!

New York City is not cheap by any means—your rent will tell you that right off the bat. Winter is one of the most expensive times of the year for a New Yorker, so I’ve come up with some incredibly helpful (and already experienced) tips on how to get through the season without hurting your wallet. You won’t sacrifice your comfort or your health, so don’t worry! And each opportunity will keep your English practice going and will keep you challenged!

Depending on how long you’ve been in New York City, you’re probably familiar with the brutal winters we can have here. While in the beginning of the season throughout the first couple of snowfalls, it can be beautiful and mesmerizing, it can also be exhausting and annoying by the time February comes. You start to crave warmer weather and ache for the time when you could leave your apartment without ten layers! Regardless, the winter is tough on all of us, and it can be especially hard on your wallet if you’re not careful. This is my third year in New York City, so I feel prepared and ready to face this season without any surprised. I’ve come up with some of my best advice on ways to save money and not be surprised with high bills.

1. Grocery shop

Let’s face it. We tend to hibernate in the winter as much as we can. Sometimes I have to practically talk myself into leaving my apartment just to get essentials. I noticed that during the months of December until March, I ordered food delivery several times a week just so I wouldn’t have to leave my comfortable little living space! But then I realized $15 here and $20 there started to add up, and before I knew it, I was spending quite a large chunk of my income on food just because I was lazy! Let me tell you—I learned VERY quickly that a trip to the grocery store once or twice a week did quite a favor to my wallet—and my guilt also disappeared! Plus, the more you go outside, the more likely you are to mingle with others—this is a great time to practice “Wow, it’s a cold one today!” or “Certainly makes you miss those hot summer days!”

2. Be mindful of your heat

This is more than likely the biggest contributor of your winter expenses. While it’s nice to feel warm and cozy in your apartment, be careful about what you set your thermostat to. Consider turning the knob down a few degrees before you leave for work each day. It sounds silly, but throw on those layers while you’re home—pull out those hideous house slippers that your parents got you but were too “cool” to wear. Pull out those throw blankets that are only ever used for decoration for bedtime. Invest in under-the-door snakes that will keep any kind of draft entering your apartment—and will also protect your heat from escaping. You’d be surprised how these little details will make a huge difference in your monthly bill! Dust off your English reading skills and look at your paper statement the energy company sends you—they actually send you tips on how you can lower your bill each month! Take their advice—they know what they’re talking about!

3. Check out free activities

Another place my money was going to each winter was the bars. After work or on the weekends, my friends wanted to spend as little time outside as possible, so we didn’t know what else to do but hit up our local pub. Not only was this just sucking the money out of me, but I was also drinking a lot more—not good! So before you automatically just jump to a bar for the first idea, do research on what kind of free shows or museums you can hit—this way, you save money, still stay indoors, AND you won’t wake up the next morning regretting your decisions! While the bar is a great place to meet new people and practice your English, eventually you might find that you’re using the same phrases or even running into the same people. By changing up your routine, you can expand your vocabulary, meet new and totally different people than bar frequenters. Plus, you’re in New York City! There’s so much more to see and do then just the same old bar and pub!