Meet Mariam, an international student from Georgia who is creating a unique professional path in New York City. Pursuing a major in fine and studio arts and a minor in marketing at Adelphi University in nearby Garden City, Mariam is blending her analytical skills with her creative passion, all while gaining real-world experience as an intern at the United Nations headquarters.
Her journey reflects the range of opportunities available to students who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and explore new fields. With hard work, dedication, and support from Adelphi, Mariam’s story demonstrates how international students can pursue their goals away from home. Read on to learn more!
From Georgia to Garden City
Mariam’s path to Adelphi University, one of the top-ranked Garden City colleges, started with a dream: to explore her passion for art while gaining a well-rounded education abroad. Coming from a small but tightly knit community in Georgia, she was driven by her long-standing interest in the arts, having painted since the age of six. However, Mariam also wanted to broaden her horizons beyond her home country.
When deciding which university would be her best fit, Mariam considered factors such as flexibility in curriculum, cost, experiential opportunities, and more. Reflecting on her initial choice to attend Adelphi, Mariam said, “There was [a student] called Shota, and I saw a post about his experience getting a scholarship at Adelphi. That’s how I first heard of the university.”
After meeting with a representative at an education fair, Mariam was impressed by how Adelphi’s flexible programs allowed her to major in fine and studio arts, while also pursuing a marketing minor — a skill she recognized would be crucial for self-branding as an aspiring artist.
Ranked among the top 200 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi University provides students with a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in arts, education, STEM, and more. The university’s welcoming and supportive campus community, small class sizes, and picturesque campus provide a learning environment where students can focus on and pursue their academic and career goals.
Life at Adelphi
“The international students here are some of the best people,” Mariam said. She especially appreciates the vibrant and diverse community on campus, and finds inspiration in the blend of cultures and ideas. Since coming to Adelphi, she’s made friends from all over the world.
She is also an active contributor to campus life, writing for the Delphian, the university’s newspaper. Her articles focus on art, fashion, and culture. She even took the initiative to create the newspaper’s first Arts section, allowing her to combine her artistic passion with her growing interest in writing.
“Artists often need to write about their work, evaluate art, and communicate their creative process, so strong writing skills are vital,” she said. “The newspaper gives me great practice and exposure, which will be valuable for my career.”
A Dream Realized with a United Nations Internship
Mariam’s path from student to intern at the UN was driven by a combination of her artistic background and her involvement in Model United Nations during high school.
“I was studying in Kant’s Academy, the official representative of the UN in Georgia, for almost four years,” she explained. This experience gave her an early taste of what diplomacy and international relations were like, which continued when she moved to New York. Through the New York Model United Nations, she connected with Georgia’s deputy representative at the United Nations headquarters in New York, which led to her eventual internship.
With this strong foundation, she took advantage of every opportunity that she came across. “I knew I wanted to start internships early. Most students start in their third or fourth year, but I really wanted to do it now,” she explained. After a competitive selection process, she secured her role – and even got confirmation 20 days after she applied!
“Diplomacy and arts might not be related, but I think that’s the most exciting part: that I’m able to do everything that I’m interested in,” she said.
Working at the United Nations headquarters in New York during the summer, Mariam was the only intern in her department. She took on a wide range of responsibilities, including attending committee meetings, taking detailed notes, and preparing official reports.
“It’s a huge responsibility. Government officials in the capital rely on our reports to know what’s going on,” she said.
Mariam also quickly learned the importance of networking, as the UN attracts diplomats and professionals from all over the world. From meeting ambassadors to attending weekly intern social events, she took full advantage of her position.
“I actually got to know how networking works because there are so many people [from] around the globe,” she said. During her internship, she interacted with many diplomats from France, Germany, and other European nations, and learned more about university exchange programs.
What’s Next for Mariam
Looking ahead, Mariam is determined to continue building on her experience. With dreams of one day having her own exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she is now focused on gaining more practical experience in the art world.
Her coursework and passions, combined with professional connections from the UN internship, have already started to show results. “I started talking about those artists, the gallery and their concept, and my coworker was amazed [at] how much I knew about them, which he did not expect,” she said. “A few hours later, he offered me work for the [Georgian art] gallery which they’re opening in New York City!”
Mariam combines an ambitious drive with a grounded, practical approach, ensuring her goals are both bold and achievable. She plans to continue seeking internships in galleries and museums to further develop her skills in both the art and business worlds.
Mariam’s Advice for International Students
Mariam’s journey is filled with lessons that she hopes other international students can learn from. “Take every single opportunity you see on your way. Just try it. You never know what’s going to happen next or what will lead you to your dreams,” she advised.
Mariam’s story is one of determination, passion, and embracing every opportunity that comes her way. Whether pursuing her dream of becoming an artist or working at one of the most prestigious organizations in the world, she’s found that Adelphi University has provided her with the support and flexibility to explore all her interests.
The professors and faculty at Adelphi have given her the expertise and skill to pursue a fine arts major, while the university’s location near New York City provides easy access to the art world. She regularly visits the Metropolitan Museum of Art, explores galleries, and attends cultural events, fully engaging with the city’s artistic landscape.
If you are an international student with big dreams like Mariam, Adelphi University could be the perfect place for you to begin your journey.
Discover Adelphi University >
