By Rafael Cegarra, Postbaccalaureate Visiting Student in Wall Street Prep, School of Professional Studies
It's a cliché, yet each day it rings truer: There’s something undeniably electric about being a college student in New York City, especially when your classroom is one of the most prestigious universities globally. Columbia University, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the U.S., is not just a historic site in the middle of the “capital of the world,” but it is also an incubator for development, nurturing presidents, inventors, and Nobel scientists who shape our society.
This morning, I woke up feeling a little tired but exhilarated, that feeling when you wake up to go to a theme park early in the morning. The lack of sleep lingers in the background, but excitement takes the front row. Just yesterday, I experienced unforgettable encounters and experiences: meeting the current mayor, enjoying captivating Broadway shows such as Hamilton and The Lion King, going on private bus tours of the city, watching a game from a suite in the Yankees stadium, and wandering the historic halls of the United Nations General Assembly.
Week one of Summer Session: Meeting current mayor Eric Adams.
Taking in a game at the Delta Sky Suite at Yankee Stadium.
A visit to the U.N. General Assembly Hall.
It’s surreal—despite being neither a celebrity nor a politician (at least yet), my summer as a visiting student in Columbia University School of Professional Studies Postbaccalaureate Program, with a focus on Wall Street Prep, places me at the heart of where history is made and provides me tools to succeed in my desired trajectory.
The storied walls of Columbia’s libraries and halls speak of history, echoing the ambitions and achievements of those who walked here before me. In the program, my peers are some of the most interesting people and they come from all walks of life and corners of the—a small world really, because we seem to find connecting webs that link us in every topic. Columbia's style of instruction is rigorous, demanding, and immensely fulfilling. Each class is crafted to prepare us not just academically but also for real-world challenges.
Whether I choose to leverage the credits earned towards a master’s degree or continue to ascend the corporate ladder in finance, the lessons learned here are designed to guide and influence my career path. In the heart of New York City, at an institution like Columbia, every day is an opportunity to learn and grow—surrounded by the past, yet very much shaping the future.
About the Program
Each summer, Columbia University offers hundreds of courses for Columbia students and students from other domestic and international institutions. Whether on campus or online, Summer term offers the opportunity to study with Columbia’s esteemed faculty, pursue academic interests, advance studies, and 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.
