Finding Community as an SPS International Student

Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) welcomes students from around the world. In fact, in fall 2024, more than half of our current SPS cohort came from outside the U.S., with 92 countries represented. Whether from Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas, international students share many of the same questions and concerns about navigating a new school, city, and culture: Will I fit in? Where should I live? How do I register for classes? “We ensure all of our students receive the support they need to navigate Columbia University and New York City,” assures Zelon Crawford, senior associate dean of Student Affairs. 

SPS recognizes international students' unique challenges and provides comprehensive support from day one. Our SPS Weeks of Welcome is designed to foster a sense of community and introduce new students to Columbia University, New York City, and one another. In addition to student orientation, SPS hosts social gatherings at local restaurants and a welcome dinner cruise for international students to facilitate cultural exchange and build lasting connections.

During orientation, international students also attend a dedicated session where SPS Student Affairs staff members provide essential information on a wide range of topics, including:

• Visa regulations and traveling to and from the U.S.
• Earning money via internships or employment while studying
• Understanding and accessing health care as a student
• Maintaining academic integrity in the U.S.

SPS staff also share fun insider tips on navigating New York City life, such as how to hail a taxi or the “proper” way to eat a slice of pizza like a true New Yorker. Most importantly, new students are reassured that NYC is a friendly and welcoming city where most people are happy to help if you just ask. SPS student Azida Azmi agrees: “I know people talk a lot about how diverse New York can be, but it’s really that diverse, including the number of food choices you have access to and the number of social events that you can easily pop into. Everyone is always so welcoming. The people in New York really make the experience so much better.” 

Beyond staff guidance, international students benefit from invaluable peer support. They meet with current students to address practical questions about daily life in NYC. How do I get a cosigner for my apartment? Where do I buy groceries or find food from my home country? What’s the laundry situation? How big a piece of furniture can I bring on the subway? “Sometimes students might be too shy to ask staff questions about getting started in a new city,” says Bernadette McHugh, assistant dean of Advising and Academic Success. “But with one’s classmates, no question is too big or too small.”

“Coming from Ecuador, it was definitely a challenge getting into graduate school and having to balance academic life, social life, and getting used to a new city like New York,” says SPS student Emilia Puente. “But Columbia offers so many resources. There’s always somebody you can talk to with any concerns that you have as an international student. And there are student organizations in which you can find other people that are going through the same stuff; you can connect with them and form a support system.”

International students who want ongoing support from classmates can use the SPS Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, which pairs new students with returning students who can help guide them in acclimating to a new country. The program emphasizes shared experiences and matches students based on nationality, language, degree program, and hobbies. The mentors and mentees meet as often as they choose, and at the start and end of each semester, the program hosts a party for all Peer-to-Peer Mentorship participants to celebrate their work together and to get to know classmates. “It’s fantastic to have someone who can hold your hand and tell you exactly what they benefited from,” says William Zhu, a recent SPS alum and student founder of the peer-mentoring program.

Students can also build community and English fluency at the SPS English Conversation Tables, which provides them with an opportunity to improve their confidence in speaking English both inside and outside the classroom. The English Conversation Tables are offered weekly throughout the school year, with domestic students often serving as facilitators. “Students benefit from learning about the various cultures and customs within the SPS community and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with others through shared experiences and circumstances,” says Angela Simmons, assistant director of student support.

For students seeking more intensive language support, the American Language Program (ALP) offers a range of resources. These include part-time advanced English courses focusing on listening and speaking, pronunciation, and individualized SPS English Language Tutoring from experienced ALP faculty.

There are many ways for international students to find everything they need to feel at home at Columbia University. All students can access a multitude of resources through the SPS Office of Student Wellness, which provides individual support and connects students with campus organizations, faith spaces, campus events, community opportunities, and counseling.

A variety of annual School traditions further enhance the sense of community at SPS. These include a Halloween party hosted by SPS Wellness where students are treated to candy and fun activities, and a Valentine’s Day event that invites students to take a moment to relax and craft Valentine cards for their classmates and friends. Each November, the SPS Student Life team also partners with SPS Student Government to host Friendsgiving, a community meal modeled after the traditional American Thanksgiving. Students and staff agree that Friendsgiving is an annual highlight that epitomizes the welcoming, inclusive, and celebratory community that SPS works hard to foster.

“I was quite surprised by how welcoming the community was,” says another recent SPS alum, Meghna Nair Jayakrishnan. “The fact that there are so many people from different countries, states, and regions and different languages made the experience all the better.”