A Columbia education unfolds outside of the classroom as much as it does inside. From research opportunities alongside field-leading faculty to internships and global experiences that span industries and world locales, Columbia students travel paths that lead from our Morningside Heights campus to the far-flung reaches of the globe. The possibilities are limitless—and whichever paths you choose, you’ll find they lead to amazing places.
fact:
$1 million+
in funding to support students pursuing low- and unpaid internships
fact:
125,000+
jobs and internships posted annually on the LionShare job portal
fact:
100+
study abroad programs
fact:
$800 million
in external research funding annually
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Research that matters.
As a Columbia undergraduate, you’ll be an essential part of one of the finest research institutions in the world. Here, you can engage with pioneers in their field who are working at the frontiers of knowledge at over 200 research centers, institutes and labs, across campus, across the city and beyond.
Internships that inspire.
From on-campus recruiting events and industry showcase series to alumni mentorship and overseas experiences, Columbia students gain the skills, perspectives and experiences they need to clarify their vision and chart a course into the professional world that’s all their own.
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student:
As a Laidlaw Scholar, Mellon Mays Fellow, and through my internship supported by the Summer Earnings Grant, I have been able to dive deeper into issues of political response to migration, societal integration of migrants, and other meaningful opportunities to engage with the communities I care most about.
Astrid
L.
Eden Prairie, MN
Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Political Science
Living in New York City as a college student is the opportunity of a lifetime. In this video, listen to Columbia College first-year students talk about their New York experience.
To learn with the world, and from it.
Global learning and engagement are vital components of a Columbia education. The Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) works with units across the university to support exciting academic and co-curricular opportunities including study abroad, global internships, service-learning, research and more.
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A little guidance goes a long way.
Columbia students are guided by faculty and staff advisers who are committed to the craft of teaching and mentorship—and who represent some of the brightest minds from across the country and around the world.
NYC is a living classroom, and Noah shares how students take advantage through free access to over 20 museums and galleries across the city; discounted tickets to events around the city, internship support through the Center for Career Education and global engagement that takes them out into the world.
Meet Our Community
student:
Professors that are both world-renowned and accessible to undergraduates: "During my first semester at Columbia, Professor Gulati invited members of my Economics class to a series of lunches with him. The conversation was the best part. We were able to connect as classmates while getting to know our professor on a more personal level."
Scout
B.
Wooster, AR
Economics, Concentration in Sustainable Development
student:
I got involved with biology research during the summer following my first year at Columbia. I worked in the Kelley Lab on frog behavior and vocalizations, and I had the chance to present my research at an undergraduate research symposium the following winter. I learned so much from my peers and supervisors in the lab.
Riley
S.
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Psychology
student:
Learning beyond the classroom at Columbia: "I've done research in the Carleton Civil Engineering Lab. I was able to learn more about material test strengths and the methods of determining if concrete and steel samples are up to industry standards, as well as research involving soil mechanics. It was a very enriching experience, and I also had a lot of fun!"
Haya
G.
Beirut, Lebanon
Civil Engineering, Minor in Middle Eastern, South Asian & African Studies
student:
Learning beyond the classroom at Columbia: "I interned this summer at the Queens District Attorney's office. I worked on a team that aimed to protect workers and tenants from fraud and workplace abuse. I found the position through my own research, but the Center for Career Education was endlessly helpful in preparation for my interviews and when speaking with the office's recruiter."
Billy
K.
Queens, NY
Comparative Literature & Society, specialization in Hispanic Studies and Hellenic Studies