Anouck Rietveld

Almost a year ago, I found myself seated in a plane on my way to New York City, where I would be studying the Master of Science in Data Science at Columbia University. I felt excited and nervous at the same time. I remember gazing through my photo app, I could not help but envision the snapshots that would populate my camera roll in the months to come – the faces of new friends, New York City’s surroundings, and probably the endless photos of lecture notes and homework assignments.

During the Fulbright award ceremony, as we officially received our scholarships, a resounding message echoed from fellow alumni: venture beyond academia, engage with diverse individuals, and explore your surroundings. With this in mind, I was determined to make the best of my time in New York City. While my enthusiasm for studying Data Science was tangible, I was equally committed to experiencing all that the city and the United States had to offer.

I started living at International House, a unique residency program for graduate students and young professionals in New York City. Here, I am surrounded by over 600 individuals from diverse corners of the world, each with their own unique cultural, professional, and educational background. Living at International House has been incredibly enriching, it is so easy to meet new people and make new friends. I have friends who are opera singers, psychologists, aspiring global leaders and engineers. And throughout your time here you continue to meet people by attending the diverse range of events that are organized, ranging from cultural dinners and nights at the pub to salsa classes and career panels.

Beyond immersing myself in the international community at International House, I engaged with the American culture as well, especially through sports. I have attended different American sports events, such as basketball, ice hockey and baseball games. I participated in a charity run event and ran the half marathon in Central Park. Furthermore, my passion for skateboarding has led me to immerse myself in the skateboarding community of New York City, where I have made American friends from various states across the country.

I also made it a point to explore beyond New York City. Through One to World, which is an organization that organizes events for Fulbright scholars, I connected with Fulbright alumni who welcomed me and three other Fulbrighters into their home in Garrison, upstate New York, for a lunch and a hike. Additionally, I visited upstate New York with friends from Columbia where we spent the weekend. Furthermore, I got the opportunity to attend the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) conference in Los Angeles. Here I connected with various women that are part of the global tech community and this motivated me to become a board member of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers at Columbia University, where we try to promote inclusivity and diversity within STEM fields.

Finally, besides all the fun experiences and adventures, I remained dedicated to my studies. It has been very special to be part of such a vibrant academic community and be surrounded by bright minds who inspire me. I have learned about various subjects, including algorithms, machine learning, and the art of working with and visualizing data. It is particularly interesting to have been in a city where the tech giants are at the forefront of artificial intelligence advancements, especially during this time when technologies like chatGPT are booming. For this summer, I will be working as a Data Science intern for the MTA, New York City’s transit authority which is located on Wall Street. This will introduce me to a whole new dimension of working in the heart of New York City, something I look forward to exploring.

I am very grateful for all of these experiences I have had. This would not have been made possible without the support of Fulbright Netherlands. Beyond their financial assistance, they have helped me from navigating the visa processes to ensuring I was well-prepared for my arrival. Moreover, the help of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the United States has been very supportive, they guide you through applying for Pre- or Post-Academic Training or help you if you want to stay in the US after graduating.

As I look at my photo roll now, it is filled with incredible people, experiences, and adventures. Living in New York City has been a transformative experience for me, and it has had a great impact of who I am today. I look happily forward to the coming months that I have left in the great Apple.