In the past two years, many students have been forced to shift to online learning and given restricted campus access due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many universities and colleges around the world have to hold their graduation ceremonies online. But as the epidemic situation came under control, university students can finally attend their graduation ceremony in person on campus. Four students from CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) who were admitted to the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University (“the Program”), have recently completed their studies in Columbia University after a tough yet fruitful learning journey.  

Coco FANG Yi-jie, a Criminology & Sociology student, feels grateful to have met excellent instructors, professors and classmates at Columbia University. “My experience at Columbia has gone far beyond my expectation two years ago. I had a wonderful time there, where I have managed to clear my thoughts about my future life path and where I have found my passion with the help of my teachers and friends,” Coco says. Another student, Daniel KAN Yin-to, who studies Public Policy and Politics, also shares the same feeling that Columbia University has provided him opportunities to learn from some renowned world-class scholars. He still recalls vividly his first class at Columbia University, which was taught by President Lee C BOLLINGER about freedom of speech. Daniel enjoyed the intellectual conversations with his fellow classmates and professors, who were willing to share their thoughts and perspectives on various global issues. “My studies and experiences at Columbia have definitely expanded my foundation in the field of Political Science, perspectives on current affairs, and international outlook,” he adds. Sophia CHANG Tsz-lam, a Psychology student, said she has gained better communication skills through the engagement with people from diverse backgrounds at Columbia University and School of General Studies in specific, which also helps her become more culturally aware and sensitive.

During the past two years, shifting to online class mode is regarded as one of the biggest challenges by the students. The pandemic also deprived them of chances to make new friends and participate in community activities. In the meantime, they have to handle heavier course workload and study harder to meet the higher academic requirement for achieving good grades. Despite the challenges they have faced, they stay positive and optimistic. “I did not see those as ‘challenges’ but as ‘opportunities’ which have trained me to think academically, analytically, and critically,” says Coco. Daniel recalls, “The 12, sometimes 13 hours difference between Hong Kong and New York provided me with the unforgettable experience of doing midnight online classes every night at the Columbia study center at Central. Even though the semester was tough, I still look for the silver lining. I treated my experience during COVID as an opportunity to train up my perseverance.”   

As the coronavirus-related restrictions are easing and social life resumes back to normal, the students were exceptionally excited to take part in the long-awaited Class Day (graduation ceremony of Columbia University) held in person in May 2022. The graduation marks a conclusion of the students’ study life. This is not an end, but a new start for them to pursue new goals and professional endeavour. Coco was admitted to the Sociology PhD programmes in University of California, Santa Barbara. She is going on her PhD journey to further study sociological issues on gender, sexuality and culture this September. For Daniel, he is searching for job opportunities around the world, longing to contribute his unique values and perspectives gained from CityU and Columbia University to the society. Sophia planned to gain some work experience in NGO or counselling related work, before pursing a Master’s degree in psychology.

Congratulations to the graduates and wish them success in their future careers and studies. For the admission details of the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University, please click here.