Extracurricular programs give Gallatin students the opportunity to engage in academic conversations outside of the classroom. These programs may complement your academic inquiries, or may expose you to a topic or issue outside of your studies. Extracurricular programs often involve Gallatin Faculty members, alumni and outside community members.
Affinity Groups
Gallatin Affinity Groups strive to create a social and collaborative community among undergraduate students who have shared creative, academic, and/or professional interests. Groups meet at regular times throughout the fall semester to have conversations, host speakers, and collaboratively plan outings around the city — from museums and theatrical performances to urban farms, activist spaces, shared meals, and more.
Each group is mentored and led by a super-cool Gallatin graduate or undergraduate student, and participants have an equal voice in the direction of the group.
In order to join an Affinity Groups, students must be:
- An undergraduate
- Willing and able to commit to a group for the entirety of the Fall semester
- Available to attend each scheduled meeting
Please be aware that each group is open to a maximum of 20 students.
Gallatin Affinity Groups are managed by the Gallatin Office of Community Engagement and Student Life. If you have additional questions, you can reach out to Dr. Lisa Daily, Director of Community Engagement, at lisa.daily@nyu.edu or gallatin.affinitygroups@nyu.edu.
Space is limited! To indicate interest in joining a group, please complete the Gallatin Affinity Group Sign-Up Form and await a confirmation email.
Fall 2024 Groups
Music, Culture, and Creativity
Fridays 10 am - 12 pm
This group aims to take the pulse of cultural invention in New York City, exploring a wide range of cultural happenings in the city (music, theatre, art). In addition, we will host a number of informal discussions to pool our thoughts on individual events we want to join and to more generally think about the “state of the arts” in NYC today. But our main goal is to try out some new experiences!
Media and Entertainment Industries
Fridays 12:05 - 2:05 pm
The Media and Entertainment Industries Gallatin Affinity Group considers various aspects of the media we consume and the industries that produce them. But, our main goal is to have some fun together, collaboratively explore our interests, and build community along the way! Whether you're interested in film, music, journalism, or social media, it's a space to share with others. This group is intended to explore the most niche and abstract curiosities through community and experiences. It is a great creative hub where all are welcome!
Fashion and Consumerism
Fridays 2:10-4:10 pm
This Gallatin Affinity Group is a space for fashion lovers to experience facets of the industry together through excursions, discussion, and access to NYU’s resources all while making friends and having fun!
Urban Life Explorations
Fridays 4:15 - 6:15 pm
Urban Life Explorations is a dynamic Gallatin Affinity Group that transforms your Fridays into unforgettable urban adventures. Each week, we dive into the heart of New York City, exploring everything from the hidden gems of second-hand shopping to the most iconic parks and monuments. We also gain exclusive access to private tours of top art institutions, offering an insider’s view of the city's cultural pulse. Whether you're a city enthusiast or an art lover, Urban Life Explorations is your ticket to discovering the most exciting facets of urban life alongside a group of adventurous peers.
Science and Technology
Saturdays 11 am - 1 pm
The Science and Technology Affinity Group is a place for Gallatin students to come together to meet and create connections with like minded students. We will go to events related to science and technology and also events not related to those topics :) Join for a good time!
Storytelling and the Performing Arts
Saturdays 11 am - 1 pm
Storytelling and the Performing Arts is an affinity group for directors, actors, dancers, singers, and other practitioners and enthusiasts of the performing arts. Join us for outings and events related to theatre, film, dance, music, or comedy-- or bring any other storytelling medium that you are passionate about to the group!
Meet-Ups
During the onset of the pandemic in Fall 2020, Gallatin Student Life created the initiative known as the Gallatin Meet-Ups, where small groups of students (led by a Gallatin Orientation Leader, who is a current student) visit various exciting and fun venues around New York City. The beauty of these events is that they are for Gallatin students and led by Gallatin students. We offer Meet-Up opportunities most weekdays and weekends and would love for Gallatin students to join us whenever they can!
In the past year, Gallatin Orientation Leaders have brought students to the Central Park Zoo, Artechouse (an art/tech exhibit), various museums such as the Brooklyn Museum, the MoMA, and the Whitney (to name a few), pottery making classes at Color Me Mine (TriBeCa pottery studio), a visit to the Meow Parlour Cat Cafe, Laser Tag excursions in Brooklyn Area 53 Laser Tag, an informal visit and picnic on Roosevelt Island, a visit to the Fall 2021 FRIENDS Interactive Experience, ice skating at Bryant Park in the winter, and a trip to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see the Christmas Lights. With all those fun events, you can count on even more exciting trips this year. An updated list of upcoming Gallatin Meet-Ups will be made available in the beginning of the Fall semester. Be sure to check your emails for more information!
Gallatin Community Coffee House
The Coffee House furnishes a space for Gallatin students, faculty, alumni and community members to discuss a charged topic in an unconventional, uncontrolled manner. Each coffee house features a panel comprised of faculty, students and alumni. Coffee houses happen at least twice a semester. Past topics have included UnNatural Diasters, Religious Freedom in America, and What is Art? We provide the coffee -- and you provide the conversation. If you have a topic you would like to be considered for a coffee house, please contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife.gallatin@nyu.edu.
Other Opportunities
Gallatin Student Life loves to hear from you! Have an idea for something you’d like to see? Please reach out to us. Past events and series have included interest group meetings, the dinealogue series, which features dining and conversation among students, faculty, and external guests on particular topics, and film series, among others. To get in contact with Student Life, please email studentlife.gallatin@nyu.edu.