By Wilson Tang, Visiting Undergraduate Student in the Wall Street Prep Focus Area, School of Professional Studies
This summer started with a 16-hour flight from Taiwan to New York. It wasn’t my first long-haul journey, but this one carried a different kind of anticipation. I wasn’t traveling just for vacation— I was flying toward an experience I’d been looking forward to for months: studying at Columbia University’s Summer Session B as a Visiting Student. As a Chinese Malaysian medical student in Taiwan, my days are usually filled with textbooks, clinical skills, and case studies. But I’ve always had another side of me, one fascinated by stocks, finance, business, and marketing. Columbia felt like the perfect place to explore that passion in a city where finance, culture, and opportunity collide.
Landing in New York, I was immediately struck by the city’s rhythm. People call it The City That Never Sleeps, and within hours I understood why. The streets are alive at every hour, filled with voices in countless languages, food from every corner of the world, and the kind of ambition you can almost feel in the air. Coming from Taiwan, I’ve lived in a vibrant city before, but New York is on another level. Its diversity and pace make you feel like you’re part of a global story unfolding in real time.
Columbia itself has been a world of discovery. The campus is buzzing with energy, from students studying on the lawns to professors leading discussions that push you to think differently. But it’s the experiences outside the classroom that have surprised me the most. Through SPS Engage, I’ve been able to see New York in ways that connect directly to what I’m learning. Watching Hamilton on Broadway was a highlight—not just because it’s one of the most acclaimed musicals ever, but because its story of ambition, resilience, and nation-building echoed themes that feel relevant to my own journey. The Federal Reserve tour was just as unforgettable. Standing in the middle of an institution that influences the world economy gave me a new perspective on how interconnected financial systems really are.
Another highlight has been serving as an Ambassador for the Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance & Analytics Focus Area. This role has brought me into conversations with people I might never have met otherwise—students from different countries, professionals with unique career paths, and peers who share my passion for finance. I’ve had the chance to participate in professional snapshots, sit for interviews, and connect with mentors who’ve encouraged me to pursue both my medical career and my business interests. It’s been less about formal responsibilities and more about being part of a community that thrives on curiosity and collaboration.
Balancing medicine with finance might sound unusual, but for me it feels natural. Medicine teaches me precision, problem-solving, and empathy. Finance pushes me to think strategically and to understand the systems that shape people’s lives. Together, they give me a broader lens on the world. Being in New York has shown me that passions don’t have to be mutually exclusive—sometimes they complement each other in ways that make you more well-rounded.
Looking back, the 16-hour flight feels like the smallest part of the journey. What stays with me are the little moments: late-night walks through the city, laughing with new friends in the dorms, the rush of seeing Times Square lit up at night, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing I took a step outside my comfort zone. Columbia has been more than a summer program—it’s been a transformative experience, one that I know will shape both my personal and professional path for years to come.
About the Program
Each summer, Columbia University offers hundreds of courses for Columbia students and visiting students from other domestic and international institutions. Summer Session offers the opportunity to study with Columbia’s esteemed faculty, pursue academic interests, and advance studies or prepare for graduate school. Focus areas include Arts and Culture in New York City, Foundations in Pre-Medicine, Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures, and Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance & Analytics. Learn more about Summer Session at Columbia University.