"The program not only deepened my understanding of global issues but also opened the door to several months of remote work, allowing me to live and work abroad."
My name is Dominique, and I attended the Columbia Summer in Paris program during my final semester at Columbia. My initial curiosity about the French language was sparked by my background as a former ballet dancer. I wanted to deepen my understanding of the art form by learning the language that it often utilizes. To prepare, I took French classes at Columbia for four semesters, laying a solid foundation before the immersion program.
However, it was the summer in Paris that truly expanded my engagement with French culture in ways that were only possible by being there. One of the courses I took, “France in the African Diaspora,” explored how France contributed to the formation of a racialized colonial empire while also laying the groundwork to challenge it. Witnessing the impact of history firsthand added a profound dimension to our studies. This course uniquely complemented my “Politics of the Olympics” class, offering a more critical perspective on the Olympics and its impact on society as we watched the preparations unfold before our eyes.
Yet, what made this summer so valuable went far beyond the classroom. The Global Learning Scholarship gave me the opportunity to attend this study abroad program at a pivotal point in my academic and professional journey. The program not only deepened my understanding of global issues but also opened the door to several months of remote work, allowing me to live and work abroad. During this time, I immersed myself in different cultures, gaining first-hand experience of the global landscape while broadening my perspectives.
This experience has been invaluable, enabling me to build a network of international contacts that have continued to influence my personal and professional growth. The connections I made have provided insights and opportunities that I would not have encountered otherwise. Overall, the scholarship and the experiences that followed have significantly shaped my future, equipping me with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
