Commuting to NYC as a college student is a chaotic balancing act that often feels like a marathon. The day starts with a rush to catch a subway train, only to watch it pull away as you sprint down the stairs. By the time you grab a much-needed coffee, it’s lukewarm, and you’re already late for class. Navigating the sprawling city can feel like solving a puzzle, with confusing directions leading to wrong turns and extra stress. Each missed train, delayed sip of caffeine, and frantic dash to lecture halls adds to the daily grind, making every commute an unpredictable adventure.
A Day in the Life of NYC Commuter
Group Members: Syeda Rahman, Alishya Loyd, Reem Hamdan
How did completing your project help you explore the role of arts in the lives of New Yorkers and their communities?
After doing this research, I was able to investigate how the arts are essential for reflecting and resolving the particular issues facing New Yorkers and their communities. Through documenting the challenges of commuting—missed trains, delayed coffee, and navigating the city as a college student—the project demonstrated how video art storytelling can connect with common experiences. It demonstrated to me how the arts provide a forum for communication, transforming common annoyances into a kind of expression that encourages audiences to feel empathetic and connected. The initiative also demonstrated how the arts can turn urban problems into imaginative stories that unite people, honor resiliency, and elevate the voices of individuals negotiating the intricacies of urban living.
