"I was able to build meaningful relationships with classmates whom I never would have met otherwise. Living and exploring a new city together fostered a close-knit environment where conversations extended beyond class and continued over meals, walks through the city, and weekend excursions. It reminded me that the strength of a university community is often found in the relationships formed outside of the classroom as much as within it."
Participating in Columbia’s Summer in Paris: English Track program was one of the most meaningful experiences of my undergraduate education, and it would not have been possible without the support of the Global Learning Scholarship.
As a student pursuing a double major and a minor, studying abroad during the traditional academic year presents significant challenges.
Every semester must be carefully planned to meet graduation requirements, making it difficult to spend an entire term away from campus.
The Summer in Paris program offered the ideal opportunity to gain an international academic experience while remaining on track. Studying in Paris gave me the opportunity to engage with my coursework in a setting that encouraged me to think beyond the classroom. Experiencing Paris as both a student and a resident deepened my appreciation for how history, culture, and daily life shape one another. The city's museums, architecture, and neighborhoods became extensions of our classroom, allowing me to connect course material with the world around me in ways that would not have been possible in a traditional semester at the New York campus.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the community that developed among the students. Because the student body was much smaller than that on Columbia's traditional campus, I was able to build meaningful relationships with classmates whom I never would have met otherwise. Living and exploring a new city together fostered a close-knit environment where conversations extended beyond class and continued over meals, walks through the city, and weekend excursions. It reminded me that the strength of a university community is often found in the relationships formed outside of the classroom as much as within it. I am returning to campus with a broader understanding of the value of global education and a renewed appreciation for the diverse perspectives that emerge when students learn together across cultures.
I am truly grateful to the Global Learning Scholarship for making this opportunity possible. Its support removed what would have otherwise been an insurmountable financial barrier, allowing me to pursue an experience that has enriched my academic journey, broadened my worldview, and strengthened my connection to the Columbia community.
