Growing up in Manhattan

Manhattan, one of the five boroughs of New York, is a major commercial, financial, and cultural center of both the United States and the world. Filled with many famous landmarks, tourist attractions, countless museums, and the home of several international headquarters, such as the United Nations. Manhattan is also one of the most densely populated areas in the United States. Rich in culture and history, one can wonder how growing up in such an area can be. I spoke with a student here at St Thomas University who grew up in this glorious city. Not affected at all by the big city during her early years, the student then realized the importance of the city once she moved to Costa Rica.
Given the history of crime in New York (ethnic gangs, mafia, etc), I was curious to see how this could impact an individual who was surrounded by this environment. The student clearly stated that violence and crime was apparent. She recalls an incident in her old apartment building where a man was shot, stating "my grandfather saw blood along the walls and floor." She also recalls seeing needles in a local park nearby her school.  A more tragic event in the city was the September 11 hijacking. Although the student was living in Costa Rica at the time, the events still impacted her as she felt for the families of the victims. When asked about the controversial building of a Mosaic near the World Trade Center memorial, the student feels that although there is a freedom of religion, the site should be relocated to a less sensitive area.