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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

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
Dozens of people walk through rows of tulips while picking them to create bouquets.

Spring in bloom at Union Square’s Tulip Day

A pop-up installation of 200,000 tulips brought thousands of New Yorkers to Union Square for an afternoon of flower picking.
Juliana Guarracino, Culture Editor April 8, 2024

This past Sunday afternoon, locals flocked to Union Square to grab a free bouquet of tulips from a pop-up garden of 200,000 flowers. In honor of Tulip Day, Royal Anthos, a Dutch...

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 —...

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 February 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 January 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...

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 December 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...

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 February 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...

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...

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 December 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...

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 October 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 October 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 April 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 March 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...

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 November 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 October 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...

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 September 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 September 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...