"New York is a wonderfully vibrant place to be - the arts ooze
from this place..."
- Miriama Young
Miriama Young
Beginning her Masters in Music Composition at New York
University in 1991, Miriama Young continues to live in the US, and has
now transferred to Princeton University to complete her PhD in Music.
Well, I'm having a wonderful time here at New York University. Pursuing
graduate studies in the States provided an opportunity for learning in
so many ways - the stimulation of my direct educational pursuits, but
also the opportunity to learn about American culture, and about my own
strengths, sense of identity, and resources in coping with life in a new
environment.
New York is a wonderfully vibrant place to be - the arts ooze from this
place - from Miss Saigon to the avant-garde microtonal orchestra, New
York is loaded with the most dynamic creative enterprise, all the time.
My studies are challenging but I feel very worthwhile. The courses I
am taking place the studies I pursued in New Zealand into a much broader,
theoretical and global perspective. I really feel that I am developing
skills and knowledge here in the States that will make a worthwhile contribution
to New Zealand on my return.
While I'm in the States, I would like to think that I am helping to put
New Zealand on the map for Americans. Sometimes I have to do this quite
literally: "I'm sorry, my geography isn't very good, is New Zealand
near England?", or the "You're from Australia, right?".
But also during my time here, I hope that I can express something of New
Zealand's essence, of our culture, our heritage and describe something
of the physical environment to Americans, to promote a greater understanding
between the two nations.
