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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

Photo of Lorraine Olaya

Lorraine Olaya, Deputy Managing Editor

Lorraine Olaya is a senior majoring in English with minors in Creative Writing and French. She is a native New Yorker, born in Queens, but also doesn't shut up about the fact that she's Colombian. When she's not drowning in work (which is almost never), she spends her time writing poetry, reading cheesy YA fiction, and pretending like she understands most pop culture references (yes, she was that PBS kid who wasn’t allowed to watch Spongebob). If you would like to send her cute animal pics, you can find her on Instagram @lorri.o.

All content by Lorraine Olaya
An illustration of the back of a woman's 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 December 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...

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 October 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...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: Midterms and midterms

It’s the middle of the term! The WSN staff offers our thoughts on our exam-packed weeks and the ongoing congressional election season.

On unoriginality: It’s really unoriginal of NYU to hold midterm exams during the midterm elections. As an academic institution that discourages plagiarism, it shouldn’t steal...

Lorraine Olaya looks at the camera while standing outside on the platform of a train station. Lorraine is wearing a patterned blue shirt and light blue jeans.

Native New Yorkers on Balancing Family and Independence

First-generation and native New Yorker students reflect on finding their sense of independence at college and how they balance that with family and strict immigrant parents.
Lorraine Olaya, Deputy Managing Editor October 20, 2022

Centered in the photo are two students at a salad bar with dining tables to the right.

Ranked: What is the best NYU dining hall?

A senior’s ranking of NYU’s dining halls — take this with a grain of salt since the university's dining options don’t have any.
Lorraine Olaya, Deputy Managing Editor September 19, 2022

As a veteran of the NYU Eats dining hall experience, it’s about time I lend my four years of expertise to answer the long-debated question: What are the best dining halls? With...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: First day of classes

Welcome, or welcome back! WSN staff shares our thoughts and feelings about the start of the semester.

On Thursday: NYU feels very comfortable disrupting the traditional week by starting classes on a Thursday — and not only a regular Thursday, but a Thursday before a long weekend....

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

Photo: Navigating the Paris food scene with dietary restrictions

Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer May 7, 2022

Marché Central de Nancy in France. (Staff Photo by Lorraine Olaya)

Shirene Anand: "Victoria’s comfort in this shoot was what made this such a success. The props — stickers and a tangerine — helped hone the entire shoot and highlight theme as well." (Photo by Shirene Anand)

Victoria Abraham on fat liberation and authenticity

College of Arts and Sciences senior educates by simply existing online as a fat person.
Lorraine Olaya, Copy Chief December 10, 2021

Victoria Abraham seems like a typical NYU senior, working toward finishing her public policy degree and thinking about what she might do after graduation. With her down-to-earth...

There are other adjectives we can use to celebrate holidays — not just “merry” Christmas. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Christmas is a lexical glutton

All holidays are not created equal, and this inequality has been compounded by our very vocabulary. This Christmas season, let us right this wrong.
Max Tiefer and Lorraine Olaya December 3, 2021

Imagine, if you will, that you’re visiting your significant other’s family for Thanksgiving. Before you even knock, the patriarch throws the door open and offers you a hearty...

“Encanto,” Disney’s newest animated movie, features a Colombian family and was released on Nov. 24. Receiving scores of 7.7/10 on IMDb and and 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, it is likely one of Disney’s best films since “Frozen.” (Image courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Review: Disney’s ‘Encanto’ has the Latine representation we’ve all been waiting for

Released on Nov. 24, Disney’s new animated film “Encanto” presents a welcome depiction of vibrant Colombian culture.
Lorraine Olaya, Copy Chief December 3, 2021

Say what you will about Disney, Lin-Manuel Miranda or musicals — there is finally a movie representing me, a Colombian woman, so you know I had to see it.  I don’t even...

Ranked: Student lounges

Ranked: Student lounges

Because there are places to study other than Kimmel or Bobst.
Lorraine Olaya and Ryan Kawahara November 15, 2021

Forty-degree weather means it’s time to find an on-campus spot to chill at for the winter instead of shivering in Washington Square Park. Whether you need to do homework, meet...

(Staff Photo by Brooke Nguyen)

Dear New York City

A native New Yorker rediscovers her love for the city
Lorraine Olaya, Copy Chief October 18, 2021

New York, this is my love letter to you. It’s been some time since I’ve seen the sparkle in your water and sunset reflecting off your buildings. And it’s been a while since...

NYU students protested when former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe Vélez was invited to speak at an NYU event about sustainability and climate politics. NYU is not doing a sufficient job of acknowledging the contributions that the Latine community has made to the university. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Why doesn’t NYU celebrate Latine workers’ and students’ contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month?

NYU would not be able to function without Latine staff and faculty. From servers in dining halls to administrative workers, the university relies on the Latine community and must do more to uplift it.
Lorraine Olaya, Copy Chief October 7, 2021

NYU loves to brag about its diversity. But the institution fails to appreciate the value that students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and identities add to the NYU...

An exploration of the impact a global pandemic can have on one's body and self-image. (Illustration by Natalie Olaya/natalieolaya.com)

Flaca o gorda: My struggle with pandemic weight gain

My journey dealing with the effects of weight gain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lorraine Olaya, Copy Chief August 30, 2021

Content warning: This piece discusses weight gain and body image issues. I stand in front of the mirror, my hands on the jeans bunched up around my thighs. They refuse to be...

Despite the wave of hate crimes and the history of xenophobia against their community, Asian Americans remain strong. (Illustration by Sally Chen.)

Even before they were a headline

A collaborative poetry piece written to celebrate people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate
Lorraine Olaya, Deputy Copy Chief May 6, 2021

Disclaimer: This collaborative work was not created by someone of Asian or Pacific Islander descent; however, it was compiled using the words of contributors, credited at the end,...