Interview with Maite of New School ESL Student | SharedEasy

Interview with Maite of New School ESL Student

Interview with Maite of New School ESL Student

Maite Hernandez – Our Long Island City Home Fashionista and New School ESL Student

​Hometown: Santiago, Chile

Lifestyle: Student

Projects: ESL The New School ESL Program

I am a student in the ESL Program at ​The New School ​near Union Square. Some of my favorite things to do when I’m not studying is to explore the different neighborhoods and see all of the sites like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. The Plaza Hotel is one of my favorites because I remember from the movies like ​Home Alone​ and, of course, ​Sex and the City ​also Central Park because I love ​Gossip Girl. ​I recognize the places from the movies and the TV shows that I love. It’s like a movie scene on every corner in New York City.

The difference in just learning a language and learning a language as a part of community is big. It is so much more enriching to actually live in the community here and get to speak English every day. It makes you able to learn things besides just the grammar and the written word. Interacting at the house and in the community, as well as on the streets of NYC, gives learning the language a whole new dimension. My mother is an English professor and last time I was visiting she was with me. I notice a big difference between traveling with someone who can interpret things for me and actually having to speak and understand – it’s survival now to have to speak and understand so it is much more motivating.

My school is very good and I love the part of Manhattan where I study but I am very glad to come home to a quiet neighborhood in Long Island City at the end of a long day. It’s nice to be able to relax and have a little peace and quiet.

My favorite things to do in NYC:​ ​SHOP. Need I say more? Fifth Avenue and Chelsea and especially the area called the Meatpacking District are amazing. I love the vibe of the neighborhoods there. The contrast between the low buildings and the industrial feel of the Meatpacking District vs. the High Rises of Midtown near 5th Avenue make it a very cool experience. It’s part of the design and fashion feel that is all around the City.

My future plans are​ a​fter I finish this course to receive my certificate for the ESL Course which says that English is my second language, I plan to enter the ​Parson’s Design School​, also part of ​The New School.​ Of course, after graduation from ​Parson’s​, I want to work here in the fashion capital. There is also a ​Parson’s​ in Paris so, I have lots of options.

Advantages of Living in a Community vs. Student Housing​: I think it is better to be living in a place like this to develop community than in student housing. Most of the students in my class are from China and Korea. Since it is an ​English as a Second Language​ ​Class​, most of the students speak their native language when out of class. This would not serve me well because I would not have the daily interactions in English that I have by living in a multicultural house in a place off-campus. This is a good thing since English has so many things that you really have to speak and use to learn. There is a lot of slang and urban vocab in English. It’s helpful to have people to interpret the funny sayings Americans have like ​“It’s raining cats and dogs….”

This is an amazing experience in one of the most exciting cities in the world. The movies do not lie when they portray the sights and sounds and the energy of the City.

Instagram @maitehrnz

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FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the FAQs by people considering transitioning to coliving.

  • What is Coliving?

    Coliving is a residential model in which individuals get a private bedroom in a furnished home with shared common areas. It is a bunch of biologically unrelated people living together in the same place. Usually, residents in a coliving space share interests, values, or intentions.

    Coliving is a type of housing where people live together in a shared space, often with shared amenities. It is a re-imagination of the age-old concept of community, based on the tenets of openness, collaboration, the sharing economy, and social networking.

    Coliving spaces can be found in cities all over the world, but they are particularly popular in New York City. There are many different types of coliving spaces, from small apartments with a few roommates to large co-living communities with hundreds of residents.

    Coliving spaces often have common areas for residents to socialize, work, and relax, as well as shared kitchen and laundry facilities.

  • What are the benefits of co-living?

    Coliving can be a great way to meet new people and make friends, as well as save money on rent and other expenses. Co-living is affordable, convenient, and flexible.

    Many co-living spaces are located in convenient locations near public transportation, restaurants, and other amenities, which makes your commute time shorter, and affords you the advantage of greater productivity.

  • What amenities are typically included in a co-living space in NYC?

    Amenities typically available in coliving spaces include laundry, kitchen, swimming pools, workspaces, access to gyms and other health clubs, leisure areas, and spas. All the utilities and WiFi are included in the rental amount. Some spaces offer access to house cleaning services, and occasionally catered parties depending on the community. Coliving spaces catering to new parents may offer a playground for the children or access to vetted child care services.

    Co-living sounds like an answer to everything you’ve ever asked about homes, neighborhoods, or life as digital nomads. Some coliving spaces offer private bedrooms and bathrooms, while others have shared sleeping and living areas. Coliving spaces often have common areas for residents to socialize, work, and relax, as well as shared kitchen and laundry facilities.

  • Is co-living a good idea?

    Coliving can be a great choice for someone who wants to move to a big city, save big on a luxury apartment, and keep things simple. However, for someone who wants to live outside a major US city and doesn’t like the idea of sharing their space, it’s not a great choice.

    It is also a great fit for those who want to belong to a company of like-minded people and build their social network. It can be very rewarding and enriching to belong to a community of people with the same interests. You get to learn, grow, and develop yourself. You can also build a great working relationship, and potentially snag yourself a mentor or a co-founder.

    All the great companies were built by people in the same network! Coliving offers flexibility and helps foster friendships between strangers. Newcomers are sure to find themselves welcomed into the community with open arms.

    Coliving is a great way to learn about the cultures of other people and appreciate diversity. Another attraction of coliving is the lifestyle. Coliving houses are situated in busy areas, so cafes, bars, and shopping are only a couple of minutes away from your house, which is great if long commutes are a chore for you. It is a plus for you if your coliving community is located in a place with excellent nightlife.

    In terms of cost, coliving is firmly within the average price range for properties, being that you’re paying for both the house and the service rendered.

  • Does SharedEasy Have an App?

    SharedEasy does not have an app at the moment, just an amazing website with ample information and details on each property. Important information includes the number of units, their availability, and the appliances contained in each unit, as well as a map of the place and a tour of the property. There’s something for everyone on the website.

  • Where Can I Find a Coliving Space?

    There are coliving spaces all over the United States. SharedEasy offers coliving options in New York and Los Angeles. If you are interested in coliving spaces in New York City, SharedEasy has many destinations for you. There are spaces in East New York, Cobble Hill, Clinton Hill, Bushwick, Brooklyn Heights, Broadway, East Village, Inwood, Soho, Chelsea, Ridgewood, Hell’s Kitchen, Harlem, Midtown East, and Jersey City.

    All these coliving apartments are furnished according to the standards, and there are pictures up on the website. Beware of websites that have listings without pictures. Most of those are scams, and in these cases, people pay a security deposit, only to lose it.