Celebrate the holiday spirit and make a difference in the lives of others! We’re partnering up with Wreath It To Us, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy and holiday cheer to families facing illness or hardship. This initiative delivers handmade wreaths to brighten homes and hearts in the local community.

Bring your creativity and kindness to help us craft beautiful wreaths that will spread holiday magic to those who need it most. This is open to all skill levels, and materials are provided! Together, we can share the joy of the season and create meaningful connections through service.

Spots are limited, so register now to reserve your place!

Please note that all program fees are nonrefundable

Did you know that the average number of calories consumed on Thanksgiving is 4,500? Learn more fun facts, and experience this traditional feast for yourself while meeting a local family in the suburbs of New York!

You’ll take a day trip to Westchester County, where you’ll be paired with a host family and join their Thanksgiving Dinner. Enjoy turkey (or a vegetarian alternative), all the accompanied sides and some tasty dessert! Spend a memorable day in this beautiful suburban community. This an unmissable opportunity to experience a holiday centered around gratitude and to immerse yourself in a welcoming community. Space is limited for this popular program, so sign up today!

Please note that all program fees are nonrefundable

Are you excited for a classy day out at the opera? We’re taking a group to enjoy the famous Die Zauberflöte during this holiday season! Join a group of international students and friends for this visit to Lincoln Center. More about the opera below:

A treasured holiday tradition, Mozart’s heartwarming fairy tale takes the stage in the Met’s abridged, English-language production by Julie Taymor—the Tony Award–winning director of Broadway’s The Lion King. Featuring some of opera’s most popular melodies and brought to life with colorful sets and costumes and dazzling puppetry, it’s perfect for audiences of all ages.

Please note that all program fees are nonrefundable

Join us for an immersive walking tour through Union Square and Madison Square Parks as we uncover how New York’s iconic 1811 Commissioners’ Plan created the city’s famous grid—and why it was developed to bring order to a rapidly growing metropolis. You’ll also discover why these neighborhoods break the mold with their quirky angles and irregular blocks.

Along the way, we’ll see how public spaces like Union Square and Madison Square were intentionally carved into the city’s fabric, offering New Yorkers vital gathering places amidst the grid. We’ll trace how architecture and urban design evolved from the early 19th century through today, revealing the logic (and the surprising exceptions) behind Manhattan’s unique layout.
Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply curious about how New York came to look the way it does, this tour offers a fresh perspective on the city’s design, history, and hidden stories.

Our guide, William Singer, AIA, is a Code and Zoning Specialist for The City of New York Department of Buildings Development and Technical Affairs. He is an expert in the design and construction of large-scale public facilities. His major projects have included justice centers, transportation hubs, and cultural centers. Before joining the Department of Buildings he was a partner at Gruzen Samton, a NYC & Virginia-based architecture, planning, interior design and systems engineering firm. A Fulbright fellow (Slovenia, 1993-94), he holds a Master of Architecture degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University, as well as a Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2004, Singer received a City of New York Arts Commission Excellence in Design for the renovation design of El Museo Del Barrio.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Manhattan from a fresh historical perspective! Thanks to William’s generous sponsorship, the first five students to register will receive a FREE ticket — so sign up fast! Sponsored tickets are limited to one per order.

Whether or not you attend any of the virtual sessions this summer, we’re organizing another virtual event with Amazon this September for an opportunity to connect with different employees from this multi-national company!

This interactive workshop taking place on Zoom and is designed to offer a space for international students to connect in breakout rooms with Amazon employees and learn about their career trajectories, get advice on how to stand out in the job search, and other questions you may have about thriving in your professional career.

Whether you’re exploring opportunities in business, e-commerce, technology, entertainment, logistics, or another industry, this event will provide you with practical tools to stand out in a competitive job market.

Thanksgiving is one of the United States’ most cherished traditions—a holiday centered on gratitude, food, and time with family and friends.
Now you can experience it for yourself! Sign up to participate in a special day trip to Fairfield County, Connecticut, where you’ll be welcomed into the home of a local host family. Share in their Thanksgiving Dinner, complete with turkey (or a vegetarian alternative), all the classic side dishes, and delicious desserts, and enjoy the warmth of a true American holiday gathering.

This program offers more than just a meal: it’s a unique opportunity for cross-cultural exchange, where you’ll share your own traditions and stories while learning firsthand about American customs in a welcoming, family setting. You’ll also get to spend time in a beautiful suburban community just outside of New York City.

Please note that all program fees are nonrefundable

Skip the tourist traps and dive into the real New York! In this day-long adventure, you’ll be paired with a NYC resident (friend of OTW, recent student alumni, etc.) and at least one other international student to explore the city through a local’s eyes.

Your host might welcome you into their home, share a favorite neighborhood spot for lunch, stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, wander through an art gallery, or uncover hidden gems you’d never find in a guidebook. Every experience is unique, but all offer something special: an authentic connection to the culture, rhythms, and spirit of the city.

This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s your chance to discover the secrets of New York, gain cultural insights, and create memories you’ll carry with you long after the day is over while making some new connections!

Your ticket includes a light breakfast in the morning before the event.

Please note that all program fees are nonrefundable.

The fall semester has officially started and we have two back to back Mock Interview sessions with Amazon employees – both in-person and virtual!

Whether or not you attended our similar sessions in August, this is an opportunity to continue to brush up on your interviewing skills with different employees! This interactive workshop is designed to offer a space for students to connect with employees from Amazon in breakout rooms and participate in small group mock interviews who will offer personalized feedback on your responses, communication style, and overall presentation. There will also be opportunities to ask questions related to your career goals and aspirations.

Even though the academic year has started and you have a lot on your plate, it’s always a great opportunity to network, especially at free events like this one!

Step back in time to explore the birthplace of New York City. We’ll trace the original perimeter of New Amsterdam (1664) and uncover why downtown’s winding, maze-like streets feel so different from the tidy grid above Houston Street.

As we wander through hidden alleyways, historic landmarks, and remnants of the colonial era, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Dutch settlement shaped the city’s foundations—from its multicultural beginnings to its thriving financial hub today. Along the way, you’ll connect with fellow history buffs and architecture enthusiasts while seeing Lower Manhattan in a whole new light.

Leading the tour is William Singer, AIA, a Code and Zoning Specialist for NYC’s Department of Buildings Development and Technical Affairs. He is an expert in the design and construction of large-scale public facilities. His major projects have included justice centers, transportation hubs, and cultural centers. Before joining the Department of Buildings he was a partner at Gruzen Samton, a NYC & Virginia-based architecture, planning, interior design and systems engineering firm. A Fulbright fellow (Slovenia, 1993-94), he holds a Master of Architecture degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University, as well as a Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2004, Singer received a City of New York Arts Commission Excellence in Design for the renovation design of El Museo Del Barrio.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Manhattan from a fresh historical perspective! Thanks to William’s generous sponsorship, the first five students to register will receive a FREE ticket — so sign up fast! Sponsored tickets are limited to one per order.

Rain Date: In case of inclement weather, the tour will be postponed to October 19th.