And as my trip was coming to an end I found myself sitting on a bus moving through the streets of New York City coming home from 2 weeks travelling through California, Texas and Las Vegas thinking and reminiscing about the time I had in the United States. I ended up staring into the lights that were flashing past the window of the bus thinking of all the wonderful memories and experiences I had encountered in 4 months. It was those little lights that flashed past that resembled each day and each memory and illustrated how fast time went, and how each day and each situation had its own story or unforgettable experience to it.

Looking back on the whole experience it was not something that just happened. It really did take a lot of planning and organisation. From my time spent living on campus to the months in New York City, the 4 months was the most amazing time of my life. For a student to go to another country and have the ability to work in the same industry as they are wishing to pursue their career is a very rewarding opportunity in many ways. There are some great benefits that come from an internship, some of which may be networking and developing relationships with people in the same industry, other things include the ability to learn and develop skills that are necessary for us to succeed in the workplace.

Overall the experience was unforgettable. I can not say a bad word about the program and the people involved. To walk away with the knowledge that I have obtained, the friends that I have met, and the opportunities that may arise from this is a really exciting feeling. It has been great to share my experience through these blogs, it has really made me appreciate the time I had in New York and hopefully provide others with the opportunity to see how good an experience I really did have.

I am now back in Australia and it is fair to say I really do miss New York already. I will defiantly cherish every experience and friend I have made….Thank you

Suddenly we are in our last week of our internship in New York City. I have mentioned earlier how time has gone by so fast but the longer you are here the faster it gets. I now have 5 days of work left and feel that I still have so much more to give and learn from this opportunity. Everything that I have experienced I feel has been so beneficial to my career in Sports Management, the people that I have met and the different responsibilities I was given have all helped me grow as a person since my time here. I have met so many people who have given me advice and information that I will take with me not only in my career but my journey throughout life.

I assisted the events department over the weekend with a Bar Mitzvah. It was another great experience to see how the event unfolded and the difference in events from the Taste of Queens to this one. There are many things I have learnt from working closely with the event coordinators and this knowledge has given me another direction in my studies as I have really enjoyed the different experience.

I have had many great privileges since working at the tennis center and none bigger than last night after work. I had an opportunity to play tennis on center court which is something that not too many people can say they have done, and that is something that I will cherish with me forever.

Not to long now and I will be traveling around the United States to Vegas, California and Houston. It is a surreal feeling to think that I will be going back to Melbourne soon after to return to reality and life as it was as I left it 4 months ago.

The longer time goes the more you miss your friends and family; however the life that I have lived over here has been so fast that it really doesn’t give you a chance to think about that. You get stuck in a 2 minds as you near then end of your trip, you are excited to go home and get back to your normal life and see everyone you miss so dearly but when things here are always different and exciting it makes you want to stay on and continue experienced unforgettable moments.

It really did feel like last week when I wrote my first Blog and felt the adrenalin and nerves of walking into work for the first time having no idea of what to expect. I guess when you are experiencing so many different and exciting things time gets away from you and passes you in a heart beat.

Last week was another interesting and enjoyable week for me. On Monday I worked at my first major event with a total of around 300 businessmen and women. The event went according to plan with minimal problems as all the guests appeared to have enjoyed their evening. I had the privilege of seeing how a major event was put together from the very beginning, to the enduring set up and the final product. This experience has opened my eyes in regards to opportunities for employment when I graduate as I really enjoyed the entire process of organizing and delivering an event of that capacity.

I have also been asked to work again this Saturday at a bar mitzvah that is being held in one of the corporate boxes and restaurants in center court. I will also be responsible for the set up and delivery of this event which will again be a great learning curve for me.

Last weekend I spent back in New Paltz visiting many of the great friends I made in the first 2 months I studied there. It was great to also see the campus and town in a different light as the weather is now getting warmer. The whole vibe and ambience of New Paltz is different as now there are people out throwing Frisbee’s or Footballs and having BBQ’s in the sun. The warmer weather also gave me an opportunity to visit some of the famous local attractions. A few friends and I went up the mountains to go to the waterfalls which are only a short 20 minute drive from campus. It is quite a strange to think there could be something so beautiful so close to the hustle and bustle of New York City.

This week at work has been a little different than the previous 3, as I have been working with the Events Department in assisting them set up and organize for an event for the City of Queens. The event is to be held on Monday night in a large restaurant in Center Court as we expect a turn out of around 400 guests. The event is called ‘Taste of Queens’ and will host 40 food and beverage companies from all over Queens to display their products. This will be a great experience for me to experience this major event unfold as I was given responsibility and had a part to play in the development and decisions made.

After being in New York City for a month all ready it is fascinating to see how I have subconsciously changed to fit into the New York lifestyle. To survive in the city you need to act and think like a New Yorker. Catching the subway is quite the experience. It really is every man for him self and once you’re on that train there is minimal if any conversation just masses of people reading books and newspapers. There is neither eye contact made nor any smiles given as everyone on that train has one thing in mind, to get to work. Time here goes so fast and that is the typical way of life over here. If you get caught up in the moment and live that lifestyle your time here will pass all too quickly. That is why it is important to get out and enjoy every minute you have spared in New York; there is so much to see and so little time. Therefore you must make the most of every opportunity you get over here and live it.

There were so many great things that happened this week in NY. The week started of with the final of the Collage Basketball. Collage ball is a major sporting event and is watched by many Americans as it shows off the future NBA stars that are all playing for an opportunity to be drafted. So a few friends and I went to a local bar in Manhattan to watch the game. Also this week I witnessed my first live American sporting event. I received tickets through work to see the New Jersey, Devils Ice Hockey team. The game went right down to the wire and saw the devils get up in a penalty shoot out. It was a great spectacle and the atmosphere was so different to what I am use to in Australia but was a great night overall.

This week at work went by so fast. The ticket office that I have been working in for the past 3 weeks is very busy. The workload seems to be ever increasing as we get closer to the event and particular deadlines for spectator purchases are coming up. I am enjoying the fact that I am receiving more responsibilities and really feel that my help is of assistance to the department. The extra workload definatly makes my day more interesting and goes by a lot faster.

We had an employee casino night on Thursday. It was a very elegant event as they had a casino company come in and set up numerous tables to gamble on with our play money we were given. The night was catered for and included all drinks and food. It was held in one of the prestigious restaurants in center court which was beautiful and ended up being a really enjoyable evening.

Easter Friday was a normal work day here in America. I find it interesting that Americans do not have any public holidays over Easter. It is celebrated very differently to the way I am used to and the weather this time of year is also very different at Easter time. On Friday at work we had an Easter egg hunt that was fun. It was funny to see the competitive spirits come out of my colleges in their attempt to find the eggs. It was good that we managed to leave work at 2pm which gave me an opportunity to have another look around the city and enjoy the sights and lovely scenery.

Today is Easter Sunday. As I have mentioned before I was invited to a ladies house for lunch. It was a beautiful feast with so much food to choose from which is a little different than eating cafeteria meals most days. It was great to have a home cooked meal and sit and dine in a house and get back to normality like playing with her dogs and sitting on a couch watching TV. I guess when you have been overseas for 3 months it’s the small things that you take for granted that you really start missing the most.

2 weeks have gone by working with the US Open and I feel that I am learning so many great things about the tournament and organization. The weeks have gone by so fast and this week was no exception. I was expected to move into a different department this week however the ticket department is inundated with things to do so I am required to stay and assist them.

I have many things that I am looking forward to this week. On Tuesday I am playing tennis on my lunch break again. This is great as it breaks up the workday and gets you out of the office and a bit of exercise too. Then on Thursday we are having a spring fling casino night at one of the restaurants in centre court for all the staff. It should be a good night as it will give me an opportunity to mingle and meet all the people from different departments and learn more about what they do. This weekend coming up is also Easter. One of the lovely ladies from work has invited me to her house for lunch as she wanted to make sure I was well fed and had an enjoyable Easter.

Apart from work the New York lifestyle is very fast and hectic. By the time I finish work and commute back to Manhattan and grab some dinner time has passed me and its bedtime. I have been heading out to many of the pubs and enjoying the awesome nightlife New York has to offer. There are many great restaurants and clubs and bars however it helps to ask around and have locals suggest places to go as New York City can be outrageously expensive i.e. $14 USD a drink at some of the places we have been too.

I have done some of the touristy things like go to the top of the empire state building which was the best view you could ask for of New York. I have also seen all the razzle and dazzle of time square and the beautiful streets of So Ho. I also stayed at the Grand Hyatt on Saturday night which was a beautiful hotel, but again very expensive and massively overpriced. For example we paid $70 for 2 burgers at 5am which certainly hurt the hip pocket. A great experience none the less.

The US Open is one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles with up to 670 thousand spectators a year. The venue is located in Queens which takes me roughly an hour to commute here from the International House in Manhattan each day. The subway system is easily accessible and very convenient as both my stations are within a 2 minute walk.
I will be working in the Box Office department for the first 2 weeks of my internship. After that I will have the opportunity to work in 3 different departments within the stadium to help me gain a better understanding of what it takes to run a major tournament.
The Box Office department is mainly concerned with dealing with the corporate customers. The people in this department are fantastic; they have made an effort to make me feel comfortable and apart of their team, as well as bringing me up to speed with the American culture, having me indulge in many traditional American meals.
It was fascinating and very informative to have sat down with my department manager for a half hour to gain a better insight about her job description and responsibilities within the company. I was well informed about the procedures and efforts required in delivering a Grand Slam Tournament. It is interesting to see the level of work and organization that goes into providing a successful world wide attended event.
The highlight of my week was Friday when I was given a tour of the main stadium. To have the opportunity to stand in the middle of Arthur Ashe Stadium bouncing a tennis ball was an amazing buzz. I also saw up close and personal the player’s change rooms, their dining halls, the press boxes and the view from the best courtside seats in the house. This sort of opportunity doesn’t come around all the time therefore it is something I will never forget.
Overall I had a great week; I am now looking forward to the new experiences and endeavors ahead of me this week.

-Matt-

The last two months has been the most incredible experience and adventure of my life. The memories and friendships that I have developed will be forever instilled in my memory and cherished forever. Studying and living along side Americans and many international students from all over the world has provided me with many diverse insights and perspectives into foreign cultures and beliefs.

Living on campus was a great experience. There are many great extracurricular activities on offer for the students and the classes are very informative and enjoyable. I know that I made the most out of every day I was there and really did appreciate everything Jeff Pollard and the IIB staff did to make our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Time certainly flies when you are having fun. The past two months has gone past in a heart beat. Now I am in the amazing New York City to work and live like a real New Yorker. It is an exciting thought that everything is at the palm of your hand, New York has everything to offer plus more.

I am anxious and very excited at the thought of my internship with the USTA – National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. I am confident that my experiences and opportunities will be unforgettable and very much beneficial in assisting my career in the Sports Management field.