Despite the challenges of moving to New York City and studying a full degree during a pandemic, I was able to acquire new skills in Journalism. I learned how to tell stories using different tools and software, and got to meet so many talented young journalists in class.
At Columbia, I worked on written and video projects on immigration, the US criminal justice system, the impact of the pandemic on funeral homes, the foster care system and local businesses in Harlem. I also did a 10-minute video on Venezuelan political asylum seekers in the US.
As part of my master’s thesis, I spent five months photographing and interviewing people who were formerly incarcerated to document the long-term effects of solitary confinement.
It still feels surreal that this chapter is over. I spent nine years of my life dreaming about this program at Columbia.
Today, I am grateful to everyone who helped me get here, from my friends in Amsterdam helped me write my application for months to my family who supported me every step of the way.
Thank you and congrats to the Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism Class of 2021!