I had the opportunity to attend 2026 Columbia University’s Pre-College Program in New York City, where I took Communicating with Consumers: The Basics of Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations. Through lectures, discussions, and group projects, I explored the foundations of communication and marketing, from understanding audiences to thinking about how brands communicate their ideas. The more I learned, the more I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed the field.
What made the experience especially exciting was learning alongside students from different countries and backgrounds. Working together on projects and exchanging different perspectives made the classroom feel very different from what I was used to at school.
Outside the classroom, I spent over three weeks living on campus and experiencing New York as a student. From exploring different parts of the city to discovering new places with friends, even ordinary moments became part of the experience. It was my first chance to experience the independence, energy, and diversity of life in the U.S. firsthand.
Outside the classroom, I spent over three weeks living on campus and experiencing New York as a student. From exploring different parts of the city to discovering new places with friends, even ordinary moments became part of the experience. It was my first chance to experience the independence, energy, and diversity of life in the U.S. firsthand.
More than a summer course, Columbia gave me a glimpse of the academic and cultural environment I hope to experience in the future. It helped me understand the U.S. beyond what I had seen from afar and made the idea of studying there feel much more real.
