New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Juliana Guarracino

Juliana Guarracino, Culture Editor

Juliana Guarracino is a senior majoring in Global Media, Culture, and Communication and Romance Languages. Aside from writing, she has a passion for cooking, travel and art history. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, playing cozy video games and journaling at cafes. She will take any book recommendations, but cannot promise you that she will read them. You can find her @juliana.guarracino on Instagram.

All content by Juliana Guarracino
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.

Staff Rants: Springing in and out of spring

It’s the beginning of March, which means spring is just around the corner! WSN staff shares their thoughts about the changing season.

On climate change: Abi Rivera — Opinion Editor  Spring? I think you mean false spring. Climate change is real.   On heroes: Sebastian Cardena — Deputy Opinion...

A collage of four books: at the upper left is Lauren’s Elkin’s “Flâneuse” placed on a light green background, at the upper right is Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” placed on a dark red background, at the lower left is Mieko Kawasaki’s “Breasts and Eggs” placed on a brown background, on the lower right is Annie Ernaux’s “Exteriors” placed on a dark green background.

Books beyond Bobst: 2 Japanese novels, a book of journal entries and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“Breasts and Eggs” by Mieko Kawakami — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor At first, I felt silly reading a book called “Breasts and Eggs” on a crowded subway —...

A group of models walks down a runway in a line. At the front of the runway, a model opens a black and white checkered cape to reveal a blue ruched mini dress with red stars.

Cultural commentary meets couture at first day of Global Fashion Collective

A fusion of worldwide attire and casual streetwear reigns supreme at Global Fashion Collective’s NYFW shows.
Juliana Guarracino and Alexa Donovan Feb 12, 2024

A pink background split into two sides by a violet zig-zag. On the left side there is a red shirt with white text that reads 49ers and blue-denim shorts. On the right side there is a red hoodie with yellow text that reads CHIEFS, a gold chain and a football.

Blitz and ‘fits: A Super Bowl style guide

Don’t fumble with your Super Bowl outfit this Sunday — here's your chance to score!

Set, hike, fashion! The Super Bowl is fast approaching, and time is running out to find your outfit for the big game. If you feel like you’re doing overtime trying to find the...

An illustration on a green and red split background that reads in on the green side and out on the red side. Various small drawings, like a backpack, a coffee cup and a bag of chips, are on either side of the image.

Everything in and everything out this semester

The fall semester is out and reading WSN is definitely in.

Every new year brings unpromising New Year’s resolutions that only get us so far. We’re tired of gym memberships going to waste and litanies of books gathering a plethora of...

Harry and Adam, played by Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, stand in an elevator.

Review: ‘All of Us Strangers’ is a hauntingly bleak tale of grief and trauma

Featuring stellar performances and cinematography, Andrew Haigh’s latest film is a spiritual romance meant to be experienced, not enjoyed. “All of Us Strangers” is now showing in select theaters.
Juliana Guarracino, Culture Editor Feb 5, 2024

Spoiler warning: This article includes spoilers for “All of Us Strangers.” I am an avid believer that one of the best ways to watch a movie is to go in blind. Ideally, that...

An illustration of an arm with a small pink and gold watch on its wrist on a brown gradient background.

It’s time to start wearing a watch

Yes, you can just check your phone for the time. But a watch is way cuter.
Juliana Guarracino, Culture Editor Jan 29, 2024

If I’m ever running late for a morning class and not feeling confident in my outfit, there’s no clothing crisis that some accessories can’t solve. Throwing on some last-minute...

A white-and-blue cup of hot chocolate with cocoa powder in it. It is on a wooden table and on the cup it reads, “happy holidays” and maman.

Staff Recs: Holiday drink orders

From cozy lattes to spiced wine, here are WSN’s recommendations of drinks near campus that will get you into the holiday spirit.

With how cold it is outside, a festive drink is the perfect pick-me-up to keep you toasty. While sitting in class or walking along West Fourth Street, students almost always have...

An illustration of coquito, against a yellow background. The drink is white with cinnamon on top.

Bridging Puerto Rican culture and veganism with dairy-free coquito

Honoring my Puerto Rican culture and being vegan can often be a dilemma, especially during the holiday season. This coquito recipe is my happy in-between.
Juliana Guarracino, Culture Editor Dec 14, 2023

I’ve been vegan for about eight years now, and every time the holidays come around I’m faced with the same question: What do I eat? On one hand, I love cooking Puerto Rican...

A person in a black coat holds out a pulled pork sandwich on a white paper plate.

A jolly journey eating through the wondrous Bryant Park Winter Village

The Culture Desk brings you their recommendations on the best eats that you can’t miss on your next trip to Bryant Park.

When it comes to holiday markets, Bryant Park Winter Village is a must. There’s ice skating, a decorative tree, stands selling knickknacks you’ve never even heard of, and perhaps...

The interior of the restaurant. There are light brown tables and dark brown chairs, as well as gray booths. There are customers sitting and eating.

Hispanic Heritage Month: La Dinastia is keeping Chinese Cuban cuisine alive

Head uptown for some of the best multicultural cuisine with a rich taste and even richer history.
Juliana Guarracino, Deputy Culture Editor Oct 12, 2023

A group of attendees wearing various dresses pose for a photo in front of a sign that reads ” Rise at Forbes.”

‘I’ll remember it forever:’ Rise fashion empowers survivors and honors bodily autonomy

Rise’s third annual Survivor Fashion Show celebrated resilience. 
Juliana Guarracino, Deputy Culture Editor Sep 13, 2023

Rise, a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 to protect the rights of sexual assault and rape survivors, hosted its third annual survivor fashion show on Sept. 11 at Forbes on...

The title page of the Baedeker Magazine. The page has a black background with white serif text at the top center that reads “Baedeker.”

How two students resurrected NYU’s travel magazine

Baedeker, NYU’s long-running travel magazine, fell out of publication due to neglect during the pandemic — until students Jonny Rothberg and Shuhe Ma brought it back to life.
Juliana Guarracino, Abroad Editor Feb 13, 2023

What happens when an NYU club or organization never transitions to new leadership? Last fall, Stern junior Jonny Rothberg found out. After a backpacking trip in Switzerland, he...

Two people smile while standing in front of a lake with snowy mountains on the horizon. On the left is a person wearing a purple hoodie with text “N.Y.U.A.D. Class of 2024.” On the right, the other person wears a pink jacket.

Passports and polyglots: Two NYU Abu Dhabi students on cheap, ethical travel

Through their Instagram account, @passportsandpolyglots, NYU Abu Dhabi juniors Colleen Mader and Xander Christou document their travels and share their tips.
Juliana Guarracino, Abroad Editor Dec 14, 2022

Earlier this year while backpacking through the Balkans, NYU Abu Dhabi juniors Colleen Mader and Xander Christou made two friends from Kosovo on a bus ride from North Macedonia....

An illustration of the back of a womans upper half as she points into the horizon, which shows the Eiffel Tower, some greenery and buildings. She has long, brown hair and is wearing a purple long-sleeved shirt.

How to master studying abroad

Here are our tips to help you make the most out of your semester abroad.
Juliana Guarracino and Lorraine Olaya Dec 14, 2022

We’re back with another guide to help make your study abroad experience as easy and fun as possible. Now, after preparing to study away, you’re finally stepping onto your...

An illustration of a map of the world with six purple N.Y.U. logo pins placed in each inhabited continent.

Staff Rants: Our time abroad

Members of WSN’s staff who have studied away during their time at NYU reflect on their experiences and discuss what they’d do differently.

When I studied in Paris last semester,  I traveled quite a bit — sometimes impulsively — and my classes started to feel trivial. Does my homework really matter when I could...

A collage of three photos: on the left is Obelisco de Buenos Aires, a tall white monument; in the middle is the facade of a building with a beige exterior, on the right is Torre Monumental, a bell tower with a red exterior. All three buildings stand against blue sky backgrounds.

What NYU doesn’t tell you: Buenos Aires

If you’re studying abroad at NYU Buenos Aires, here are the most important tips for adapting to the city that you won’t learn on campus.
Juliana Guarracino, Abroad Editor Dec 2, 2022

"What NYU doesn’t tell you" is a series started by the Abroad desk meant to share advice on the ins and outs of the cities where NYU students study abroad. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina...

An illustration of an orange suitcase with a purple handbag on top, a United States passport, a boarding pass from New York to London, and a smartphone.

Studying abroad next semester? Here’s what to prepare

So, you got accepted to study abroad next semester. Now what? Here’s what you should start thinking about before your semester abroad.
Juliana Guarracino and Lorraine Olaya Oct 31, 2022

Congratulations, you’ve gotten accepted to study abroad next semester! However, before the fun starts, there’s a lot of planning to do. Here are some tips and advice on what...

The front facade of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires.

NYU Buenos Aires brings Latine students closer to their heritage

Three Latina students studying at NYU Buenos Aires reflect on how their time abroad in Latin America mended their relationship with identity and culture.
Juliana Guarracino, Abroad Editor Oct 24, 2022

As the only study abroad site in Latin America, NYU Buenos Aires is a place for many Latine students to connect to their roots, learn more about their history and embrace their...

The front façade of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires.

NYU’s smaller study abroad sites are refreshingly personal

With smaller campus sizes, sites like NYU Accra, NYU Buenos Aires and NYU Sydney offer a unique sense of community to their students.
Juliana Guarracino, Abroad Editor Oct 12, 2022

On NYU’s New York campus, which has approximately 29,700 undergraduate students, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Studying away not only offers students a chance to experience...

Blue crates filled with various fruits and vegetables sit in front of a French grocery store.

Navigating the Paris food scene with dietary restrictions

Students following vegetarian, vegan and halal diets share their experiences and recommendations for finding options at restaurants and grocery stores around Paris.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer May 7, 2022

From eclairs to escargots, France is known for its food. For many NYU Paris students, food is a great opportunity to experience French culture. In Parisian fashion, many students...

Students are seen walking down a street by the NYU Paris site in the evening against the backdrop of Parisian architecture.

Students note a lack of support and resources at global sites

For study abroad students to make the world their campus, some students feel NYU needs to provide the proper resources and communication to better ensure their safety, education and mental health abroad.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer Apr 13, 2022

PARIS — NYU promotes its three degree-granting campuses and 12 study away sites to students by claiming that the world is their campus. But as much as NYU seeks to make its global...

A close-up image of a blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag. In the blue part, the word “Ukraine” is written in Ukrainian in yellow text. In the yellow part, the country’s name is written in English in blue text. On the right, a person’s arm extends into the frame. They are wearing a red-and-black flannel.

NYU Paris students respond to Ukraine war and refugee crisis

Far closer to the war than their New York counterparts, NYU Paris students have been able to get involved more directly with humanitarian efforts than they could have at home.
Juliana Guarracino and Stella Lin Mar 31, 2022

PARIS — Like students around the world, NYU Paris students awoke on Feb. 24 to the startling reality of war in Europe. However, different from New York City, the war in Ukraine...

V Spot Express is located at 12 St. Marks Place. (Staff Photo by Samson Tu)

From chicharrón to cashew-based mac ‘n’ cheese: The ultimate list of vegan restaurants around NYU

Here are some of the best places on or near campus for delicious vegan food to celebrate the start of the semester.
Juliana Guarracino and Gabby Lozano Jan 24, 2022

If you have ever gone out to eat with a vegan, chances are you have seen them order multiple side dishes, alter a dish until it’s unrecognizable, or settle for the dreaded house...

Zodiac Blacks is an all-women tattoo studio located on 68 Thompson Street in SoHo. Co-owners Britta Christiansen and Alex Sokolov opened Zodiac Black’s in 2020. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Zodiac Black’s: The all-women tattoo studio creating a safe space for art and ink

Watercolor tattoo artist Britta Christiansen and her partner Alex Sokolov opened an inclusive tattoo studio where clients can feel comfortable.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer Dec 10, 2021

Getting a tattoo can be an overwhelming and vulnerable experience. After all, you are trusting someone to ink something that will be on your body forever. At Zodiac Black’s Tattoo...

After NYU sophomore Meghana Kakubal took up baking during the pandemic, she founded Hamsa Cakes, an online baking business. For her desserts, Kakubal blends Indian flavors with popular American baked goods. (Photo by Meghana Kakubal)

Hamsa Cakes: An NYU student’s quarantine baking obsession turned business

CAS sophomore Meghana Kakubal didn’t know how to bake before quarantine. Now, she has a baking business inspired by Indian flavors and art that serves her community and those in need. 
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer Nov 3, 2021

You probably remember the baking craze that came with the beginning of quarantine. You might have baked banana bread or a sourdough loaf if you were looking for a challenge. Many...

Pumpkin is known for being versatile with many different recipes. NYU students dish on their favorite pumpkin-based recipes. (Photos by Juliana Guarracino)

NYU students’ go-to pumpkin recipes

NYU students share their favorite pumpkin recipes and what these festive dishes mean to them.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer Oct 29, 2021

The leaves are crunchy, the weather is cool and everything is pumpkin-flavored. Every year, fall ushers in its annual wave of pumpkin-flavored goods. So why not embrace the theme...

Champion Pizza is a renowned New York restaurant with locations in Soho and on 5th Avenue. Hazzi Akdeniz, its founder, wants to give back to the homeless community by donating money and pizza. (Photo by Kevin Wu)

Champion Pizza gives back to the community one slice at a time

Champion Pizza’s founder Hakki Akdeniz serves the homeless by donating money and boxes of pizza.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer Oct 21, 2021

October is National Pizza Month, and no one loves pizza as much as Hakki Akdeniz, founder of Champion Pizza. For him, pizza is more than a meal — it is his passion and his way...

Blossom is a vegan restaurant previously located in Chelsea, NYC. Blossom recently relocated to 72 University Pl. in Greenwich Village. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavlli)

Blossom: For Vegans & Foodies Alike

The Blossom in Chelsea relocated in mid-August, bringing its entirely vegan menu to University Place. Its outpost on Columbus Avenue is still kicking.
Juliana Guarracino, Contributing Writer Sep 24, 2020

When I first dined at Blossom four years ago, it seemed too good to be true. I had only recently become vegan, but I had, for the most part, already conquered the challenge of...

NYU students sit distantly around Washington Square Park to complete classwork and to talk to friends. While physically distanced, students have found ways to socialize online. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

First-Years Face a New Social Scene

First-year students share their experiences adapting to new safety protocols while trying to meet their peers.
Juliana Guarracino, Contributing Writer Sep 14, 2020

Zoom screens, Netflix parties and numerous group chats may not be how many first year students at NYU envisioned their first few days of college, but they are making the best of...

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