Jay Min ‘23GS, a graduating senior in the Dual BA Program Between Columbia and Sciences Po majoring in economics, shares how his Dual BA experience empowered him to gain greater understanding of the cultures and places that shaped his globe-trotting childhood.
Tell us about your path to GS!
I spent the majority of my childhood moving from place to place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. I learned a lot and had a great time, but I always wanted a deeper understanding of the countries I used to call home. When I discovered the Dual BA Program Between Sciences Po and Columbia, I immediately knew I had to be there—where else would I get the chance to study what I want in two of the best universities in the world while spending two whole years in a campus dedicated to MENA studies? Fortunately, GS welcomed me with open arms. The rest is history!
What has been your proudest accomplishment at Columbia?
Finishing my economics degree; I knew that I was in for a challenge going in, but I could not have anticipated exactly how stressful it would get for me. But many sleepless nights and panicked advising sessions later, I am proud to say that I held on and persevered.
Who are some people who have contributed the most to your Columbia experience?
My Menton campus cohort. Although the pandemic cut our time together short, I will never forget studying, traveling, and joking around with everybody under the blistering Mentonese sun. While courses were always gratifying, I owe much of what I truly internalized to dissecting and debating class material with them over a glass of three euro carrefour wine. They were truly some of the most wonderful and talented individuals I’ve ever met.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My ultimate goal is to be a lawyer, so I am planning to work for a couple of years in the legal field and then apply to law schools.
What advice would you give to a student who's about to start their GS journey?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! GS and Columbia overall have so many resources available to students. Reach out to all the wonderful advisors and administrators, and look out for the emails from the various GS offices as they usually turn out to be a treasure trove of information. Again–pay attention to the emails!
