It was a day of academic forays for CCIP Session A students, as the different groups made their way to the United Nations and Columbia University respectively on that sunny afternoon.

The United Nations Headquarters was located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan. As promised by previous participants, the picturesque view overlooking the East River had many students awestruck.

On the guided tour, students were introduced to the structural overview of the organization and the more prominent facilities. They were able to appreciate the global elements that made UN so distinct, from the sentry of National flags standing at the entrance, to the displayed art pieces reflecting numerous different cultures. At the Q and A session, students also had the chance to understand the workings of the UN through insightful questions and comprehensive responses.

FUNG, Yu Yan (CUHK) said "It was a humbling experience to stand in the General Assembly Hall, where so many momentous decisions that have altered the global fate have been made".

On Columbia University, the group visiting it found the experience no less enriching. As the only Ivy League in the city, the institution at Morningside has produced Nobel Prize winners for every field for which an award is given.

The campus's baroque style architecture was a pleasant contrast to the concrete jungle that is Manhattan. For LU, Binfeng (CUHK), The Low Memorial Library, which was coincidentally the starting point of the tour, struck him as the most memorable. He said “I now understand why this is described as a ‘purely classical architecture’. So much history is housed in just this one place!”

Students also thoroughly enjoyed the guide's animated explanation of the University's history. Founded in 1754 as King's College by the royal charter of King George II of England, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the United States.

All in all, it was truly a fruitful experience for all the attending participants.