CCIP Session A students buzzed with excitement as they gathered on June 25, 2010. Around 40 students stood at the entrance of Columbia University, marveling its Baroque style building. As Ollie (LIU Tianzhe, HKPU) stepped onto the flagging he said, "It looks like a town, you know, really not planned or constructed with a formula. But Columbia is to some extent designed in a certain way, its own way."

As an Asian-American living in New York City, Columbia definitely has its perks. It is the only Ivy League in the city. It is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, making breakthroughs in various fields. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, and a school of continuing education.

Two current undergraduate students led the international students on a tour of the campus. They explained that Columbia had humble beginnings as a schoolhouse in lower Manhattan and evolved to encompass two principal campuses: a historic neoclassical campus in Morningside Heights and a modern Medical Center in Washington Heights. "Wow, this is breath taking. I am more than excited to be here. As a student of Journalism, this is a dream for me," Sheng Cao said.

Walking all along towards International Studies center, the tour guide Tracy, who is majoring in Art History, introduced Columbia's roots. It was 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. Since the creation of the Nobel Prize in 1901, Columbians --- including alumni, faculty, adjunct faculty, researchers and administrators --- have won a Nobel Prize in every field for which an award is given. With this resounding accomplishment, it is no wonder that Columbia University has a place on everyone's college list.