ICON+

This month, ICON+ set up a personal interview with Barnard College,
the top liberal arts women’s college affiliated with Columbia
University in New York City. Our correspondent, Shruti Sehgal, a
current Barnard undergrad, interviewed with Senior Admissions Officer
and Coordinator of International Recruitment, Johanna Fishbein, to get
you the scoop on this extraordinary educational opportunity. The
interview is of particular importance to Singaporeans and other
Southeast Asians, as it offers a distinct, international perspective to
Barnard, and also its partnership with Columbia.

The full interview can be read below; please check out the Barnard College website at http://www.barnard.edu for additional information.

Sehgal: Barnard College is a special institution, as it is one of the Seven
Sister Colleges (The Sisters are seven historically women’s colleges,
scattered across the northeastern United States). Here in America,
many find women’s colleges preferable to coed universities - more
equal opportunities, less distractions, and greater chances of success
can be found  for women at schools like Barnard. I know this holds true for me, personally – especially in Barnard classrooms, where I now feel  more able to articulate my opinions, both as a student and a woman. But, do you believe that other international students, especially from Singapore, would receive the same sort of benefits if they attended this women’s college? Or, is this kind of “success” only to be found in America, amongst Americans?

Fishbein: I firmly believe the women's college environment is equally
advantageous to all of our students, domestic or international.
Barnard provides our students with an intimate learning environment
situated in a globally thinking community. Barnard is unequivocally
dedicated to the success of women, domestically and internationally,
and resources are provided to the students to ensure this success is
attainable. Barnard alumnae have gone on to be incredibly successful
in their fields in the US and abroad.

The Barnard environment cultivates leadership skills within our
students, while also providing them with mentors to support and guide
them through their college career. More than half of the faculty are
women, well above the national average. All of them - men as well as
women - believe that the potential contributions of women should be
encouraged, recognized, and realized.

Barnard College dedicates one entire section of its website to
compelling research about the advantages of women’s colleges. For
example, studies have found that women at women’s colleges like
Barnard represent more than 20% of women in Congress, and 30% of a
Business Week list of rising women stars in Corporate America, yet
only represent 2% of all female college graduates. For more
statistical information on women’s colleges, please visit the web page at: http://www.barnard.edu/about/why.html.

Sehgal: At Barnard, I have met women from all over the world: Pakistan, Croatia, Brazil, and of course, many Singaporeans. Each woman brings a new perspective with her to the academic and social climates of Barnard. What do you think sets Barnard apart from other colleges/universities in the United States in terms of international representation? How well do international women assimilate themselves at Barnard?

Fishbein: Barnard is unique in that we are able to offer students a small
learning environment situated in the heart of a globally focused city.
Our international students bring a diverse range of experiences to our
campus and their presence greatly enhances our student community.

International students assimilate very well at Barnard. The small
living and learning community provides them with one on one support
dedicated specifically to their unique needs. We have a full-time Dean
dedicated to serving as a resource to international students, in
addition to their regular academic advisor. Dean Bournoutian supports
and advises international students, and organizes special events for
internationals students and other interested students. There is also a
special meeting during New Student Orientation Program that addresses
specific questions and concerns of international students and their
families, plus an annual international student tea during Thanksgiving
break for students who stay on campus.

Sehgal: One of the things I truly appreciate about Barnard is its affiliation with Columbia. I have access to many Columbia resources, especially Butler Library, a great place to explore and study. In what ways can international students take advantage of this partnership? Also, how well is a Barnard College/Columbia degree recognized abroad (particularly in Southeast Asia)?

Fishbein: I think this partnership is especially advantageous for our
international students as it allows them to study in a smaller
community while enjoying the benefits of a large research university.
The Barnard degree is very respected domestically and internationally,
and we have alumnae living all over the globe. Additionally, last
spring Barnard hosted “Women Changing China,” a symposium in Beijing
that brought together some of China's most prominent women leaders
from a variety of industries, for a discussion about the role of women
in Chinese culture. This year the college will host a similar event in
Dubai.  These symposiums introduce Barnard and Barnard President Spar
to foreign communities and emphasize the importance of cultivating
young women leaders in all parts of the world. At the same time, high
school counselors and prospective students and their families have the
opportunity to see Barnard in action and meet local Barnard alumnae.

More information on the Barnard-Columbia affiliation is available here: http://www.barnard.edu/about/columbia.html .

Sehgal: Barnard College offers admission to international undergraduates in multiple ways: there are several Visiting, Exchange, and regular four year students on this campus. Could you please describe how these programs are advantageous to international students? Why should an international student consider these opportunities if they ultimately decide to attend university outside their home countries?

Fishbein: International students bring a vast range of experiences and
perspectives to the college community, and we want our student body to
benefit from that diversity on campus in the same way they do from all
of New York City. Our Visiting Students Program offers our
international students a unique opportunity to spend a semester or a
year on Barnard's campus.

Barnard offers international students an opportunity to explore a vast
array of interests, through a true liberal arts education. We
encourage our students to explore and try new things, hoping they will
find a subject they are truly passionate about. Liberal arts education
is often seen as an “American” idea, and sometimes it can be difficult
to find a comparable learning experience outside of the US.

Barnard also provides its students with internships and other
experiences that allow them to put into practice what they are
learning in the classroom. Barnard students are able to experience a
unique mixture of a traditional college experience (with traditions
such as the giant sub) integrated with an urban college experience.

Sehgal: Finally, what is one unique piece of advice that you can give to
international students seeking admission at Barnard?

Fishbein: When you are applying for admission at Barnard, remember there is no “magic formula" for a Barnard applicant. In addition to grades and
testing, we concentrate on/seek good writing skills, ability to
contribute to a campus environment and an interest in exploring
different disciplines. Every applicant brings a diverse range of
experiences, and we truly want to get to know our applicants and make
the experience as personal as possible. I recommend that students
seeking admission allow their personalities to come through in their
application, and remember to not be modest! Additionally, don't be
afraid to ask questions. That is what we are here for.

We hope you find this article useful; and best of luck with your college applications this year!