Goei Diana Sulistyaningrum, Graduate Student at School of Social Work

Which program/department are you in?

Social Work.

Which country (or countries) do you come from?

Indonesia.

How long have you been in the U.S.?

I've been in the U.S. for more than a year now! Wow, how time flies.  

Tell us about how your past experiences led you to Columbia.

My previous work experience in NGOs and social enterprises helped me understand that I wanted to work in this area. I had always hoped to continue my studies to graduate school, so I searched for a campus that suited my interests and passion. I found that Columbia School of Social Work offered what I was looking for, from the curriculum, various concentrations, and the location in New York City which really excited me. I still remember my joy when I read the acceptance letter and started my studies during the pandemic (including the crazy time difference from my home country).

Tell us a bit about your projects/studies.

My concentration is Social Enterprise Administration. In my first year, I learned more on the foundation of social work, which was built on power, racism, oppression, and privilege. In the second year, I learned practical aspects and more in the macro context. We discussed effective management and leadership, program planning and evaluation, human resource management, etc, all through a social justice lens. 

I am also currently interning at an international NGO named Trust for Youth and Child Leadership (TYCL) International. During my internship, I work on local and international social work programs, grant writing applications, research writing, event planning, and the United Nations event.

Anything else you’d like to share about your time in NYC or at Columbia?

While most of my time is spent on campus, in the library, and my apartment to work on assignments and readings (of course lol), I really encourage all Columbia students to enjoy activities and grab opportunities inside and outside the campus! While Columbia provides so much and great facilities, there are many fun activities to enjoy NYC (and mostly free for students), especially as international students that may have more limited time to stay in NYC.

Connect with Goei on Instagram or connect on Linkedin.

Are you (or do you know) an international student, scholar, or alumni?

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