What I Wish I Had Known Before Coming to SIPA
Reflecting on the last two years, I wanted to share what I wish I knew prior to coming to SIPA! Sign up for email lists for events and job applications. I recommend requesting to be added to the email lists.
Try to give yourself an extra weekday as time off. This way, you can have a three-day weekend or a third day off. Even with two jobs, I was generally able to swing this. It might be the only time in your life you have to take more than just the weekends off! Use this time to rest in bed, explore, or a bit of both! Having an additional day for yourself each week will save you!
Schedule office hours with all your professors at the start of the semester. I love to meet my professors, but I always tell myself I will schedule time with them later in the semester. This usually means I am scrambling when things get busier. Without fail, every time I go to office hours later in the semester, I wish I had gone earlier because the professors are so fascinating. Avoid my mistake- meet with all of your professors in week 1!
Plan to attend one speaker event (at least!) each month. There are SO many cool events at SIPA and every Columbia school. Please take advantage of these experiences. It is easy to get wrapped up in the social aspects of SIPA and suddenly have no time for anything but friends, school, and possibly a part-time job. If you schedule your events ahead of time, that will help you massively!
Lincoln Center has pay-as-you-wish days! I love Lincoln Center. I religiously go there, but even with student discounts, it can add up. Lincoln Center releases pay-as-you-can tickets in the Fall, and it has made for a fantastic year of shows.
Live at International House NYC! Although IHouse is not Columbia-affiliated, I have considered it a cornerstone of my NYC experience. The House was built as a beacon of intercultural exchange and holds 500 people! There are traditions, job opportunities, events, dance classes, parties, and more! It hosts students from any NYC school, significantly expanding your social circle. They also make it easier for international students to rent because they don’t require a credit score. I also hate cooking, so I loved the dining hall. Go IHouse!
Don’t be afraid to chase other dreams while you are here! CUEMS sponsors EMT trainings, and I wish I had known that sooner. The club sports teams are very supportive of graduate students at any level. There are art and dance classes all over campus. There are jam sessions for jazz musicians at nearby bars. There are open mic nights, too! Chase all of your big dreams while you are here. Don’t just go to school, and don’t just do things for your resume. Do things for the soul!