On Tuesday night, the CCIP exchange visitors met to enjoy the Museum Mile Festival, one of Manhattan's most idyllic events. Stretching up Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th streets, the Mile connects seven different museums along tree-lined walks with views of Central park.
The students spread out to explore what the festival had to offer, which included street entertainers, musicians and food vendors. The museums, ranging from The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd Street to El Museo del Barrio on 104th street, were also open to the public.
Yifeng Yang (Ethan), activity leader and student at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said the event was a personal favorite. "I've done quite a few things since coming to New York, but the Museum Mile Festival was by far the most fun. The museums are some of the most diverse and interesting I've ever been to and all the street performers were great to watch."
The festival, which has drawn millions of visitors since it was launched in the seventies, was filled with people from all over the world.
"The diverse crowds really showed how New York is a melting pot," said Ziyu Zhou (Joyce), activity leader from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "I heard so many different languages being spoken. I felt like it was just as much a cultural experience walking up the streets as it was visiting the museums."
At this point, the students have been at their various internships for a week or longer, so having events like the Museum Mile Festival to break up their evenings can be a great way to rejuvenate.
"Coming to this festival was a good reminder of why I wanted to intern in New York in the first place," Joyce added.
