By Beatrix Koh, Summer Visiting Undergraduate Student in Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures, School of Professional Studies
Over the summer, I had the privilege of joining Columbia University’s Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures focus area and serving as a visiting student ambassador. Selecting the 12-week Session X program meant not having to worry about running out of time to explore Columbia and New York City while fully immersing myself in NYC. As a Broadway enthusiast and a politics and international relations student, I was pleasantly surprised by the numerous opportunities that allowed me to gain the best of both the arts and the social sciences at Columbia.
In Session A, I reconnected with my passion for history while taking a summer course in the Global History of the U.S. Military (Session A). We were brought along on a journey of America’s past, going all the way back to King Philip’s War and ending at the invention of nuclear weapons. As we questioned how the nature of warfare has changed in accordance with the development of technology, the interactive lecture sessions also helped me appreciate the larger role that America perceives itself as playing on the global stage. Our field trips to the USS Intrepid and General Grant National Memorial complemented our lecture series and we had a great time in class discussing various perspectives on the legacy of American military history. As a politics and international relations undergraduate, I emerged more appreciative of the impact of history on today’s world.
In Session B I had my first formal introduction to the world of theater (outside of my personal Broadway spree). The New York Theatre Event (Session B) made me realize how fulfilling and complex the world of theatre performance could be and illuminated the larger entertainment industry. Our mix of lectures and lab sessions at live performances inspired me to further my interest in theatre and ask better questions as an audience member. In addition, my open mic experience at “Music City: A New Musical” was incredibly eye-opening and gave me an experience like never before.
Experiencing the best of both worlds (arts and social sciences) at Columbia made this summer an unforgettable experience. My decision to enroll in Columbia University was driven by my interest in military history and special operations. The journey was made even better by my exposure to the arts and religion in Session B.
As the summer concludes, I head back to my home university to complete my final year of undergraduate studies. My experience at Columbia University will continue to resonate and encourage me to pursue my interests in both the academic field and the arts, fueling my love for history and political science.
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.
