Solo travel: What made Ae a Wannabe New Yorker

Sep 21

setting the sightful scene

Upon my first watch of The Devil Wears Prada, it’s been a dream of mine to become the real-life Andy Sachs, a New York City-based aspiring artist who takes significant risks to garner the ultimate reward: success in the big city. But, like selecting anything else life-changing — a car, a house, or a college, for example — it would be complicated to have my sights set on such an impactful part of my life without seeing the place to call home. I visited New York for the first time in March 2025. To begin my mission, I flew home to Nashville from Furman University, then headed to LaGuardia with nothing but my carry-on, a tote bag, and a whole lot of wavering confidence. I had never stepped on a plane without someone I knew sitting right next to me, or visited a place so unknown to me, let alone going solo. It felt like destiny, even after my parents constantly bombarded me with news stories regarding crime and overcrowding in the liminal space that is New York City. Never would I have thought to take the chance to visit my dream home solo, but as I reflect on defying the odds, it was the most impactful journey of my life. I didn’t know where to find my Uber after getting off the plane. I had no idea what a MetroCard was. How was I supposed to do this? Asked, and by adaptation, answered. Travelling alone to New York was challenging because of the city's culture, but my week-long visit taught me to overcome trials in the face of adversity and that without risk, there is often little to no reward. It was time to become Andy.

Overcoming the Main Obstacle

The first challenge might have been the most difficult. “Mom, this is where I’m meant to be!” I said as I stood at the foot of my mother’s bed, yearning to see the big city for the very first time… This wasn’t the only instance of begging to shape my future for the better. Countless phone calls, a mental breakdown, and one major declaration later, I finally got the “I guess” from my mother. But it wasn’t that easy. It is difficult to say your sights are set on something so crucial without confronting the reality of it. For years, I had told myself I would study Biology in Tennessee to become a Dermatologist. Still, life had other plans, and I found more impactful interests that aligned with my goals. When I visited those Tennessee schools, I could not bring myself to call a single one of them “home,” and to be honest, I felt worried about doing the same with the Big Apple. How was I supposed to convince my mother to let me travel alone in the United States’ biggest city with such wavering confidence? I pushed myself to overcome this adversity by, for the first time, trusting my instincts and biting the bullet. “It’s what I’ve been called upon to do,” fell into the conversation over and over as I picked myself up and begged to go see a prospective future. In doing so, I overcame my mother’s attempts to curb my lifelong dream. She would say, “But it’s dangerous,” and I would quickly retort, “I’ll be careful.” In the same fashion, she continued, “What if you get lost?” “I’ll have my Maps app; it’ll be okay!” Eventually, I got the trip’s clearance, and my fingers were flowing over my laptop’s keyboard, typing “www.southwest.com” into my search bar. It was happening. I was going.

Unwavering My Confidence

I will admit that when I was turned away at the TSA counter because my date of birth was incorrect on my passport, I started thinking to myself, “Alright, Mom, you won. Again.” But after a short conversation with the ticketing counter, we were in the air in no time… Sadly. The turbulence was like a bicycle on a gravel driveway, coupled with boiling coffee spilling, a child screaming, and my toothpaste bursting inside my tote bag. But I calmed myself down (once on the ground), constantly telling myself, “You’ve braved the beasts. Now, go see the city.” I spoke with Harper Mooney, a 19-year-old Floridian who has travelled solo dozens of times. I asked Harper if she ever felt self-conscious when travelling, to which she replied: “Yes… I mean, all I could think about was myself and if I looked the part.” Harper’s experience as a solo traveller directly aligns with my own. It was challenging to feel “at home.” Still, by making the best of situations with simple steps, such as what Harper explains, speaking to those in your vicinity and learning about their reasons for travel, solo travel can be “really cool” (2025). I attempted to do just that: take simple risks, which would lead to life-changing rewards. When I got to my Airbnb in SOHO, which overlooked New Jersey with One World Trade Center in the backdrop, it all felt worth it. I said, “This is breathtaking… Is this real life?” I felt like an adult who just aced an interview at the most prominent financial firm in the world… I trusted myself and got exactly where I needed to be. I was finally confident in my abilities to call New York City home, all because I finally trusted myself. Although I discovered my own persuasive skills, I truly learned the power of one’s agency in decision-making. By looking at the positive possibilities, I brought myself to the biggest city in the United States against all odds and deterrents. I felt like I was already interviewing with Miranda Priestly.

Taking the Risk and Laying Home’s Foundation

The ultimate decision maker, Tabetha Sullens, my mother, was 833 miles away. There was no “pause” button, and there was no sweet tea on my menu. But there was something Tennessee didn’t have: opportunity. As I looked around, seeing my reflection in the pervasive panes of glass architecture, I pushed myself to embrace this new culture and to let the pros outweigh the cons. I started venturing around the city, visiting Chelsea Market, Fifth Avenue, and the One World Trade Center Observatory, where I fell in love with all the city had to offer. I spoke with a native New Yorker, Jack William Taub, who has lived in SOHO for over 20 years. Jack William explained, “To travel and get international experience, but still stay in the United States and see all these people who speak different languages is pretty awesome” (2025). Jack William continues to motivate solo travellers to visit New York, noting that “the city has changed a lot,” with Canal Street being a must-see site (2025). Jack William perfectly encapsulated why New York is the perfect city to visit alone, from the diversified population and culture to the ease of access for all United States citizens. By visiting each of these locations and immersing myself in the city's culture, I fell in love with what NYC has to offer, and today I plan to call it home within the next five years. Although I never expected to visit the city before my mid-20s, my journey to making this trip happen has been highly impactful and has motivated me to pursue my dream career once and for all. Miranda Priestly had hired me, and I was ready to hang her coat.

Start your “new” journey in New York.

Traveling alone to New York City left me immensely impressed with myself, as I learned new skills, made new connections, and laid a solid foundation for growth in the big city. Take the risk and select your flights. Visit all the city has to offer, and embrace the queasy feelings being alone can inflict on you. Take a chance to try out a new town, and start your new journey. You never know where your dreams, passions, and goals can take you in life- I certainly didn’t. New York is the liminal space to fulfill those same dreams, passions, and goals. As Andy Sachs, I’m going to need my Emily… I hope to see you there.