I had been trying so hard to come to New York City to study that when it happened, I really couldn’t believe that it finally came true. Coming from Europe and studying in the US must be one of the hardest things one can do, as New York presents one challenge after another. From opening up a bank account, to getting a Visa, Health Insurance, US Credit Cards to renting an apartment (as a European artist with no guarantors, this meant paying 1 year rent in advance!). I was also very lonely. I did not know a soul in New York and it was the first time I was living on my own.  But NY is a brilliant city, things can change so quickly, like meeting people. In a short time, you can meet thousands of people in your situation or profession. After that you are constantly invited to events and so on, however it stays on a superficial level. It took me about four months to finally find a few people I connected with. Some of the simple phrases that Americans use can still irritate me. Things like: "How are you?" or "What’s going on?" I kept wanting to answer: "But you don’t really care how I feel, do you?!" Europeans don’t ask such things. The pace of the city is overwhelming and inspiring, yet at the same time the simplest thing can take forever. Funny enough I never thought so much about where I came from before moving to NY. People keep asking me: "Do you feel more French or German?"	If it had not been for the scholarship I received after the first semester at SVA , I probably would have left NY. Starting the 2nd semester everything changed. I became friends with people from my class (three of them still remain my closest friends until now), I got settled into the city and started to understand the rules of NY. I know to this day that moving to NY has been the best experience I have had in my life! The work emanating out of New York sets it apart from the rest of the world. The city is like a drug. You become addicted to it. It either destroys you or makes you even stronger than before. For an artist, New York is remarkable for its artistic diversity. This diversity includes different disciplines, personality types, and different ways of thinking about problems which are leading to a variety of ideas. Diversity creates new dialogue that counteracts exciting ideas- so if you want to know whether your art is "equal to but not the same as" – the test is still New York City!
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