Frank Fan, GMBA student Class of 2016, pursuing his Columbia MSOR dual degree in New York

Admiring the gingko trees in Central Park, golden under the weekend sun, I’m reminded of the gingko trees near Tsinghua University’s old gate half a world away. Reflecting on campus life and our school motto of “self-discipline and social commitment,” I thought I’d share some insights into my time thus far at Columbia University. Life here can be exciting one day, unremarkable the next. But in the end, my professors’ teachings, my classmates’ diverse backgrounds, New York’s musical theatre, and the many books I’ve read and studied have all made an indelible mark in my life journey. 

Learning at Columbia 

I still remember the first session of my Real Estate Capital Markets class. The professor, with both deep industry experience and scholarly expertise, pushed me to think critically about the changes facing China’s real estate industry and how America’s mature capital markets have improved the effectiveness of property pricing. My takeaway was that China’s real estate industry still contains opportunities for growth, but that financial reform and tax policies also must adapt in step with each new development. This type of insight, which challenged my previous opinions and ideas, is exactly the type of critical thinking I hope to develop in my studies abroad. 

This semester I also chose Napoleon’s Glance, a classic Columbia Business School course that brings together decision theory, psychology, sociology, and creative thinking to teach the art of managing with strategic intuition. This class has inspired deep reflection on my core values and beliefs. The world is much more complex than the simplified cases we study in class; with China’s rapid internationalization, a well- rounded and nuanced worldview will be key to producing Chinese leaders with global influence. 

Life in New York 

I still remember a famous quote from the movie Beijinger in New York: “If you love someone, let them go to New York; if you hate someone, also let them go to New York.” Perhaps it is this vague and enigmatic impression of New York that ultimately led me here. Before I arrived, an HBS friend advised that I would probably learn more simply by living in New York than by attending class. Thus, with an open heart and sense of adventure, I began my new life in New York. 

New York is a city that constantly surprises. Every morning one can run around Central Park and witness the seasons changing. Seeing mothers running with strollers, elderly joggers persevering uphill, you feel the energy and momentum of social progress. When tired, you can sit on a bench and examine the etchings people have left over the years about love, family, and the future. In that moment, you suddenly feel blessed as even just a tiny speck in this grand universe. 

Every day I walk through a now-familiar subway station, but I still meet different performers on the platforms. Line 1 has over 100 years of history, and the varied designs decorating the walls speak to the city’s change and transformation. At night, Times Square is always lit up in a scene of revelry, with the “Love In New York” sign always attracting a crowd of tourists and couples who come from all over the world to witness love in this great city. Window-shopping along bustling Fifth Avenue, you feel the pulsating energy of life coursing through the streets. Winding through Wall Street’s cluster of narrow buildings, you feel the weight and rigor of America’s capitalist history. The Wall Street bull statue attracts tourists wishing to create photo memories, while the Twin Tower tribute lights make us all pause and reflect on lives lost, and yearn for peace. Cycling along the Hudson River, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, leads you to the music of outdoor concerts and provides beautiful views of the city. Lastly, thankfully, one can find Asian food in Chinatown and Koreatown—including authentic Sichuan hot pot—allowing any longing for home to melt away into the laughter of good friends and good company.