"For the first time, I was treated as a true professional, with my contributions valued equally, whether I was a sophomore or a fifth-year PhD student."
As a native New Yorker and Columbia University student, it's easy to see why so many—including my friends, family, and colleagues—believe New York City is the best place on earth. While I love my city, I knew I needed to explore beyond the 35 square miles that make up NYC, and thanks to the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) program, I had the chance to do just that.
Through UGE, I embarked on my first international trip in fifteen years, studying at the University of Cambridge. The experience was nothing short of eye-opening. I immersed myself in the local culture, explored museums and shops, and even spent time with Cambridge’s famous cows. But the real highlight was participating in the Columbia Summer Research Practicum in the Global Behavioral Science (GLOBES) program.
During this three-week immersive program, I engaged in advanced data collection, analysis, and visualization, working alongside peers and researchers from around the world. Despite my experience as a teaching and research assistant at Columbia, the GLOBES program took things to a whole new level. For the first time, I was treated as a true professional, with my contributions valued equally, whether I was a sophomore or a fifth-year PhD student.
This experience not only sharpened my academic skills but also deepened my passion for becoming a clinical psychologist—a profession that thrives on a broad worldview. In the future, I hope to engage more in global research, and GLOBES was an incredible place to start. The program marked a pivotal moment in my personal and professional growth—one that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of UGE.
