New York New York

I've officially been in New York City for a week now, and have never been so exhausted and so happy at the same time. Although it can be a rough transition from Boston, (which seems like a small village compared to here), I'm adjusting pretty well and loving city life. Despite being surprised every day by just how big this island is, I think NYC is the one place in the world where I actually don't mind getting lost, (which I do often) and wandering aimlessly. Where else can you see the building from the TV show 'Will and Grace' AND Pete Wentz of Fallout Boy, all in one day? Getting lost has never been so fun.

What brought me here, of course, is Northeastern's co-op program. I'll be spending this semester doing a teaching internship at the Dwight School, a private pre-k through 12 school on the Upper West Side. I'm interested in education and/or school psychology, so putting that idea to practice is exciting and telling. I'll be spending the next few months working in the school's high school English dept, and "Quest," which is a tutoring program offered to students with language based learning disabilities. I'll have my own Quest student, who I'll tutor one-on-one 2/3 times per week. I'm also creating study guides and exercises for the Quest students in various subjects, as well as helping out in lesson plan development and some assistant/student teaching in 9th and 10th grade English.

Despite living away from Northeastern I don't feel out of the Husky Community loop. I know a handful of Northeasterners co-oping in the city, and Co-op Connections has been great about keeping in touch with out of state students.

I came to Northeastern because I knew I'd have opportunities like these, and just a week of interning has been fulfilling to say the least. I have a couple more years of college to figure out what I want to do with my life, but this experience will undoubtedly make that process go a bit faster.

The Beginning

New York City is such a wonderful place and there is no place like it in the world. It is full of energy and life during both the day and night. It contains people of all different backgrounds--a place where you'll never see the same person walking down the street twice. It has many sites of attraction such as Times Square and Central Park. It is definitely a place you'll never want to leave.

I practically grew up in this magnificent city. I am originally from New Rochelle, NY, which is a town in Westchester County that is only half an hour away from city lights. I spent every other weekend with my dad in Manhattan and so I know a lot about the city's history and the tourist attractions. Being a part of New York City for so long also allows me to understand how to get around using public transportation, which is a big plus.

A little about myself, perhaps? My name is Gregory Fratellone and I am twenty years old. I am going to be a Middler at Northeastern University come spring semester and I am currently studying Biology with a minor in Psychology. My career goal is to become a veterinarian.

I am currently co-oping in Manhattan at a veterinary clinic called Center of Veterinary Care and I absolutely love it. Every day I go into work, I experience something completely different--preparing bloods to be tested in the lab, restraining dogs or cats that are having their nails trimmed or that are getting a catheter and observing an intense yet exciting surgery. Some days are busier than others but each day I learn something new.

One of the benefits of working at the animal hospital is spending time with doctors that have gone through what I have been through and who have reached the goal I hope to one day reach. I like to spend time with the many doctors and pick their brains about the schooling they went through and the many things they have learned from working with so many animals for so many years. Each one of the four veterinarians I work with absolutely love their jobs and it makes me think about the day that I'll feel the exact same way.

I can't believe how fast a month flew by! I have learned a lot but there is still so much more to learn. I was told that I would soon be able to learn how to draw blood from an animal and I would see some major bone surgeries, which I am super excited about. I can't wait to share all of my co-op experiences with you. Lunch break is over, back to work!