Naomi, Columbia University '27, on Rocketry & NYC

In this episode, Naomi shares how she chose between Columbia and Cal Tech. She talks about her passion for building rockets, social life on campus, favorite museums and ice skating in Manhattan, plus what it's like to be an international student at Columbia today. Timestamps:00:00 Intro to Naomi01:49 Brazil to Miami to NYC03:02 Columbia vs. Cal Tech?04:08 High School STEM & Service07:34 MIT Siblings & Comparison to Columbia U08:27 Favorite NYC Spots09:17 Making Friends on Campus10:25 Rockets Team12:33 Aerospace as an International Student14:45 From Robotics to Rocketry16:34 Team Culture20:08 Clubs and Campus Life22:11 Students Mentoring Students24:14 International Community27:47 Scuba DivingAbout the Show:Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories. Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away. Cover art by Raisa Effress“Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress