By Stephanie Rodriguez, Summer Visiting Postbaccularate Student in Culture and History, School of Professional Studies
Ever since I could remember, I’ve dreamed of New York City. Growing up in Miami, it felt like an unattainable dream. Watching shows and movies when I was younger only amplified that dream. I truly never thought I would ever leave home and study somewhere other than Miami, much less for an entire summer.
Yet, one November evening in 2025, I received an email from Columbia University about the Visiting Students program. To be quite honest, I don’t remember how Columbia had my email address, but it came at the right time in my life because I was able to apply. I told no one and expected to not get in, so imagine my surprise when in January of the new year, I received a reply.
It was a very cryptic email, titled: “A decision has been posted to your application,” which I assumed meant a rejection. However, this time it was the opposite. I had been accepted to study in the place of my dreams in one of the top schools in the nation.
Naturally, I could not stop talking about this opportunity. As the time got closer, I will admit, I was nervous. I’d never been away from home — and not for an entire summer at that. I was luckily accepted to be an ambassador for the Culture and History in NYC focus area, which made my excitement grow because I knew it would add to my experience. And it most definitely did.
When I arrived, I knew my life would never be the same. But I truly didn’t account for how life-changing this summer would be for me. Through Columbia University and the focus area ambassadorship, I have been able to experience such incredibly cool things, such as guided tours into amazing museums, Broadway shows, Yankees games, private tours, and mixers. More than anything, I’ve made lifelong friends and learned so much about myself.
I've made friendships that have shaped my experience in such an impactful way. These girls have made me truly examine certain parts of myself that I never knew needed examining. We’ve indulged in deep, meaningful conversations, explored the city, shared our experiences, and built the memories of a lifetime.
When it comes to my own self-development, I have truly learned the beauty of independence. I have grown to love my own company, seek to explore on my own and have learned that relying on faith has brought me to so many open doors that I once before never expected to have open. My experience at Columbia and with New York’s culture will leave a lasting impact as I continue to grow in my personal and professional life.
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 Culture and History 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.
