A Week of Learning Beyond the Classroom: FIT, Fordham, and NYU
In the springtime, I had the incredible opportunity to step outside my usual high school routine and sit in on college-level classes at three different universities — FIT, Fordham, and NYU. Each visit gave me a glimpse into a different world of study, from beauty innovation to fine art to sociological research, and each one gave me very important insights into academic life in university.
FIT: Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing
As someone who comes from a family that has been in the beauty industry, I was very excited about the insightful opportunity to visit Professor Delphine Horvath's class in FIT's Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing department. I had the great privilege of watching graduating students pitch their beauty product innovations to a room of R&D specialists and product developers — many of whom were alumni of the program themselves. It was inspiring to see how much thought, research, and creativity goes into building a beauty product from the ground up.
The beauty industry has changed tremendously in the last decade, and after watching these presentations, I'm convinced the possibilities are endless for how it will continue to evolve. I want to thank Professor Horvath for inviting me and for giving me the chance to learn not just from her, but from the next generation of innovators shaping the beauty industry's future.
Fordham: Yoko Ono and Yayoi Kusama
Next, I visited Fordham University to attend a lecture on Yoko Ono and Yayoi Kusama, taught by Professor Asato Ikeda. I left the lecture feeling inspired and proud, knowing that both artists are from Japan and have gone on to become household names — trailblazers recognized globally in the art community. I learned about the feminist and anti-war themes that they are both known for, such as Yoko Ono's Cut Piece and Yayoi Kusama's 1968 Anatomic Explosion. I was also inspired through how both artists were deeply involved in New York City's cultural scene, and I hope that by studying in New York I can follow in their pioneering footsteps. Learning about their work and influence gave me a new appreciation for how art can transcend borders and generations.
NYU: Research Methodologies in Sociology
Finally, I had the enriching experience of visiting NYU to sit in on a class on Research Methodologies in Sociology. Under the guidance of Professor Conor McCutcheon, a professor I'm currently working with on a research project, I got to participate in a class that deepened my understanding of research methods. As I am currently studying with Conor through an independent research study, I got to see how Conor teaches his NYU students. I felt in awe of how college students thought critically about the content and were able to share their opinions freely. I learned about some of students' own sociological research projects, such as one about ballerinas in New York City, and I was amazed by the wide possibilities that research can take. I felt inspired to grow my academic and intellectual skills so that I can also feel confident to share my research project with the world. This is an opportunity most high schoolers don't get until they're already in college, and I feel incredibly grateful to have experienced it firsthand.
Reflecting on the Experience
Between beauty innovation at FIT, contemporary art history at Fordham, and sociological research methods at NYU, this week showed me just how varied and exciting a college education can be. Each visit reminded me that learning is an experience that compels you to go beyond your comfort zone, with the help of mentorship, curiosity, and the willingness to step into rooms full of people further along a path I'm just beginning to explore.