"I felt so fortunate to be surrounded by people who deeply believe that books and writing, along with the media and cultural products we consume, can make a lasting impact on society."
Throughout my life, I’ve always been drawn to books and writing. Mind you, I come from a culture that highly values traditionally well-looked-upon, STEM-related careers, so for most of my life, I’ve had to repress my love for books and my tendency to turn up with pages and pages of creative writing, fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Until I came to Columbia, where, as an English major, I found like-minded people who also love books. I felt like I couldn’t be more fortunate to be in classes where I was not only encouraged to read, but to read critically and to engage with literary works in a public-minded spirit. I felt so fortunate to be surrounded by people who deeply believe that books and writing, along with the media and cultural products we consume, can make a lasting impact on society. I’ve never felt so involved, and I cannot describe the solid happiness I felt when I realized that what I loved truly mattered, and I could do what I loved and make a difference.
When I saw that Columbia offered a Creative Writing in Paris program in the summer, I did not hesitate to apply. I couldn’t believe that there was a program dedicated to creative writing, and that I could be encouraged to write (so much of my life was spent attempting to beat out that desire). Moreover, being an international student from a modest background, I couldn’t believe that I could have the opportunity to study abroad while already studying abroad.
