Graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Political Science

In 1983, Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a specialization in international relations. This moment marked an important milestone in his early life and was a significant step in his journey toward becoming one of the most influential figures in American history. The Path to Columbia Before attending Columbia, Obama spent his first two years of college at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. During his time at Occidental, Obama began to develop a deeper awareness of social and political issues, participating in various student activities and protests. However, he felt the need to challenge himself further and sought an environment that could offer broader intellectual opportunities. In 1981, Obama transferred to Columbia University in New York City, drawn by the university’s strong academic reputation and the vibrant, diverse atmosphere of the city itself. Columbia, located in the heart of Manhattan, provided Obama with a new perspective on urban life and the complexities of the world, experiences that would later inform his views on politics and governance. Academic Focus and Experiences At Columbia, Obama majored in political science with a focus on international relations. His coursework and studies were centered on understanding global issues, political theory, and the dynamics of power and governance. These subjects aligned with his growing interest in the ways in which political systems could be used to address social justice and equity. While at Columbia, Obama led a relatively quiet and introspective life. He was known to spend long hours in the library, deeply engaged in his studies and reading widely on history, philosophy, and literature. His time at Columbia was also marked by a growing concern for issues of race, identity, and social justice—concerns that would later become central to his public life. Living in New York City during this period exposed Obama to the stark realities of urban life, including the socioeconomic disparities and racial tensions that characterized the city in the early 1980s. These experiences further shaped his worldview, reinforcing his desire to work toward a more just and equitable society. The Significance of His Columbia Years Graduating from Columbia University in 1983 was a significant achievement for Obama. The education and experiences he gained during his time there laid the intellectual groundwork for his later career in law, community organizing, and politics. It was at Columbia that Obama began to seriously consider how he could make a meaningful impact on the world, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in public service. After graduating, Obama worked for a year at Business International Corporation, a consulting firm that assisted American companies in understanding overseas markets. He then worked at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), a non-profit organization focused on social issues. However, Obama soon realized that his true calling was in grassroots activism and public service, which eventually led him to Chicago, where he began his work as a community organizer. Reflection on His Columbia Experience Obama has often spoken about his time at Columbia as a period of intense personal and intellectual growth. While he did not engage in as much public activism during these years as he did later in his career, the time he spent reflecting on political theory, international relations, and social justice provided him with the foundation he needed to pursue his goals. The rigorous academic environment of Columbia, combined with the challenges and opportunities of living in New York City, helped Obama develop the critical thinking skills and global perspective that would define his approach to leadership and governance. His Columbia years were a time of preparation, a period in which he honed the ideas and principles that would guide him through his future endeavors. #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife #BarackObama #ColumbiaUniversity #Graduation #AmericanHistory #Education