When I walked across Waterloo Bridge to get to my King’s College London flat for the first time, three busses crossed in front of me emblazoned with the same advertisement on the back: that for WellWoman energy drink. Even across the ocean, Barnard was finding ways to stay with me; everything from a real estate agency called Barnard to the actual other Barnard students I’ve bumped into around campus – and, of course, the constant emails from the college – have been constantly reminding me that 3,000+ miles isn’t really that far.
Gabrielle Pepinot
Abroad at: Cambridge University, England
In our applications to Barnard, we had to write about a time that we “majored in unafraid.” I’d say that my entire experience abroad has been an exercise in just that. Getting to Cambridge was once beyond my wildest dreams, but since arriving I’ve done my best to really make the most of being here. I have been unafraid to embark on new and challenging research in anthropology. I have been unafraid to share insight with (sometimes intimidating) professors who specialize in my field. I have been unafraid to join the Pembroke Boat Club as a novice coxswain. (Okay, I was a little afraid of crashing the boat, but not for too long.) And, in the coming weeks, I will be unafraid to explore Europe during our spring vacation. In short, Barnard has given me the skills to resolutely navigate unfamiliar terrain, whether that be the complexities of multispecies ethnography, the narrow curves of the River Cam, or the twisting streets of Budapest.
Sean Laracy
Abroad at: Reid Hall Program, Paris
The decision to study abroad was not an easy one for me. As a neuroscience major on the pre-med track, the stars seemed to be aligned against me and my desires to study in Parisian cafes for the semester. Aside from the academic obstacles I encountered in making this decision, I was also very anxious about leaving Barnard. I had made a home there and I couldn’t imagine leaving my incredible friends (most of which are seniors) behind in Morningside Heights. But I then recalled the promise I had made to myself as a junior in high school: that in four short years, I would be traipsing the seine with a baguette in hand. I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t take the incredible opportunity. So here I am—studying abroad in Paris at Columbia’s Reid Hall Program. As it turns out, reconciling my need to eat croissants and brie and my anxieties about leaving my bold, beautiful Barnard women was not a difficult feat. Fortunately, I’m studying abroad with my best friend from Barnard (I’m talking about you, Leah!) and we’ve certainly brought Barnard to France in our own way. Sipping on just a little too much rosé will inevitably inspire a conversation comparing French and American gender inequalities or critiquing French grammar which can tend to be a bit sexist (like can someone please explain why the word for “vagina” is masculine?). And when I was starting to feel a little homesick, I was lucky enough to have two of my other closest Barnard friends over Columbia’s spring break. Alena and Regina definitely brought Barnard with them–they even brought me Nussbaum bagels! We snuggled, laughed and watched Parks and Recreation just like we would have in 620. Even though the Atlantic separates me from the Upperwest Side, Barnard is never far away—it’s impossible to ever let go of something I love and miss so dearly.
Sarah Fels
Abroad at: IES Abroad Madrid
One thing that I never realized until spending the semester abroad is how much automatic knowledge someone can learn from choosing to attend college in a city. I am studying in Madrid this semester, and after spending two and a half years in Morningside Heights, I am realizing how much I have learned simply by experiencing college in a big city! Abroad is an amazing opportunity to live in different surroundings than you do at home. Because some of the most popular abroad locations these days are the major cities around Europe, some students end up living in a city for the very first time for the semester that they are abroad! What I didn’t realize until I came to Madrid is that some students who have never lived in a city before were absolutely frazzled by city life. Without Barnard, I could not imagine how much more confusing my first few weeks in Madrid would have been. Because of Barnard, I am experienced with navigating cities efficiently and it’s super easy for me to learn a new metro system. I actually really enjoyed being able to help out other students learn how to take public transportation who don’t live near a public transit system. Barnard teaches us so many things, and one thing that I will never take for granted is how to be savvy living in a major city! It is impossible to attend Barnard and ignore NYC around it. While every city is different, there are certain things that are similar across major modern cities, and it definitely made my adjustment to Madrid much easier than if I had to learn from scratch how to live in a major metropolis!
Jillian Cardona
Abroad at: CIEE Prague
Barnard is with me abroad much more than just academically! Though my academic experience at Barnard has translated very well to the classes I take on my program, studying abroad involves more than just academic integrity. Adjusting to a new city and a new culture, while also trying to branch out and meet new people, requires support from home. My friends from Barnard/Columbia are always there when I need them. Studying abroad can be an emotional roller coaster – sometimes loving it and sometimes wanting nothing more than to be home – but my community at Barnard has stuck with me throughout my time away. (The time difference isn’t easy, but with things like FaceTime and iMessage, staying connected to Barnard is relatively easy, given the gap that is the Atlantic Ocean in the middle!) I’m so lucky to have friends from Barnard who are there to support me when I need them, even from across the world.
Zoë Miller
Abroad at: University of Edinburgh, Scotland
My Barnard experiences have transferred into to my life abroad in that I’ve learned how to take full advantage of a city. From getting a feel for the arts scene by reviewing plays and gallery exhibitions for the University of Edinburgh’s student newspaper to discovering new neighborhoods and cafes, I was eager to explore what the Scottish capital had to offer as soon as I got off the plane.