St. John the Divine. Photo credit: Elia Zhang
It was surprising to think back that, after completing CC, the most moving text to me was the chapter of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament—I thought, walking toward the Cathedral of St. John on Amsterdam avenue. I’ve always known about the cathedral. Although it was in construction, it was supremely beautiful. Yet it took me a long time to find an idle afternoon to visit after possibly the most exhausting semester that I have ever gone through. “What’ you zip code?” The doorman asked me. “10027,” I said, which was the zip code an international student would use residing here near campus. “Are you a neighbor?” he said and smiled, “so you’re free to come in.” Then he saw my blue t-shirt underneath my jacket and said “You’re a Columbia student? Show me your ID and—oh, you’re doubly free.” Being a Columbia student meant that many places and events in the city were open for free, and hence I felt warmly welcomed, and at the same time, privileged.
