Classmate Profile: Franswa Zhang
When Franswa Zhang meets an individual he doesn’t just look a person in the eye. He tries to understand where they come from and if he doesn’t know them at all, he creates a backstory for them. He likes to people-watch and Manhattan is a prime location for finding a wide variety of individuals of varying interests who are intriguing to the human eye. He says, “When you move to New York, almost everything becomes a story. ”
Franswa has lived in a city his entire life. He grew up in Beijing China, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the capital city. He is extremely familiar with the soul of the concrete jungle and explains, “Cities are nothing new to me. I’m so used to them.” When he first arrived in New York City however, as a freshman at NYU, he found this particular city to be rather daunting but he was ready to take on the challenge.
Like most incoming college freshmen, he first experienced a combination of happiness, anxiety, and loneliness at the same time. He had to learn how to navigate the sidewalks of a confusing foreign city and adapt to its way of life. It certainly didn’t help that he was doubtful of his ability to speak conversational English, though he can understand it perfectly well. “I was shy and unsure of myself when I first moved here because I was afraid of judgment.”
Today, he leads most of our conversation with a burst of energy. It is obvious that what might have started as hesitancy and confusion has blossomed into confidence and assertiveness. He claims that he pushed himself and now takes immense pride in his ability to communicate with the language which resulted in his decision to pursue journalism at NYU. He now loves meeting new people and telling their stories through his passion for writing.
Despite his love for New York City, Franswa does not live on the island anymore. Instead he lives across the Hudson, close to the waterfront, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He likes it better because it not only boasts lower crime rates, but is three times cheaper, especially where rent and utilities are considered. He considers the thirty minute subway ride into Manhattan as his moment of peace before the day begins and his moment of tranquility as the day ends. He also appreciates the immense diversity Jersey City has to offer because it is a melting pot of Asian cultures which both intrigues and entices him.
Franswa now frequents nearby New York City to visit art museums such as the MoMa or the Met, and later likes to catch plays on Broadway when he feels like he wants to immerse himself in the city’s art and culture. “It’s a visual and striking form of expression which is thrown at you and I find it exhilarating”, he says after which he ponders his statement for a moment. He continues, “But don’t get it twisted, I’m not a theater kid. ”
