Here's Some Advice: Visit the Garden at 119th Street, Take Small Classes, Join Clubs
Pablo Torres Rey talks about grabbing opportunities and meeting people at Columbia.
Pablo Torres Rey grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the U.S. just before starting at Columbia. As an international student, he has made the most of his time both on campus and throughout all five of New York’s boroughs—enrolling in a wide range of classes and student clubs, immersing himself in the city’s diverse cultures through food and activities, and following his curiosity to wherever it leads him.
When are you graduating from Columbia, and what is your major?
I will graduate in May 2025, and I am majoring in Economics-Mathematics, with a concentration in German Literature and Cultural History.
What drew you to economics?
Economics appealed to me because of the possibility of applying rigorous mathematical methods to relevant issues, which impact the livelihoods of people across the world. I believe that understanding incentives behind decisions, ranging from country-wide policies to individual consumer behavior, is fundamental to propose solutions that effectively tackle important societal needs.
What sort of projects have you worked on in the department as a research assistant, and with which professors?
I have worked as a research assistant since my sophomore year, and I've also been a teaching assistant for the undergrad courses for Econometrics and Industrial Organization.
Initially, I worked with Professor Mauricio Cárdenas at Columbia SIPA on a series of projects regarding the effects of industrial policies from advanced economies on the pace of the climate transition in developing countries. One of our projects, which explored the areas of collaboration between the European Union and Latin America in the climate transition, was published by CAF, a development bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, and was discussed by finance ministers of different countries.
In another position, I worked with Economics Professor Gautam Gowrisankaran, researching the dynamics of coal-associated electricity generation, focusing on how decision-making on operating coal generators contributed to the exit of coal generation around 2010.

As an international student, how have you found community at Columbia and in New York?
New York, like Bogotá, Colombia, where I was born and raised, is an incredibly dynamic city with easy access to all boroughs. This has inspired me to explore different neighborhoods across boroughs to learn about their culture, people, food, and traditions. My aim to learn about different cultures and livelihoods has motivated me to meet people and make friends from different backgrounds on campus, study two languages in college (German and Korean), and, ultimately, has helped me to understand how cultural identities work and shape the lives of people in this country. I also joined clubs and did activities that I had never done before, like the ski club, which helped me adapt to seasonality and American culture, while having a lot of fun.
How do you like studying in the city? What are your favorite urban activities?
Attending college in New York has given me the opportunity to achieve a balance while studying, be it running in Central Park in the mornings, going to Astoria to grab food on the weekends, or visiting the Transit Museum in Brooklyn. During the spring and fall, I enjoy going to the open-air Queens Night Market, in Corona, Queens, where I've tried food from vendors from all around the world. During the summer, I also joined the Gatehouse Garden, a community garden on the corner of 119th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, which I encourage all Columbia students to visit.
Any recommendations for things to do beyond campus?
I encourage students to consider applying for programs offered by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement. During the summer between my sophomore and junior years, I was selected to be part of the Global Columbia Collaboratory program, the Amazon Region We Want, through which my cohort met and dialogued with members of three riverside communities on the Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon.
On another note, I highly recommend connecting with your professors, alumni, and industry experts you admire, or whose work interests you. One time, I was the only undergraduate in a 15-person meeting with International Monetary Fund and World Bank economists and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.
How do you relax?
While I don't use YouTube that often, I enjoy getting to know new artists through NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. Some of my favorites are Aurelio Martinez, Stromae, and Rita Payés. I'm also an enthusiast of GeoGuessr, a geographic video game.
What's the best way to meet people on campus?
Taking small classes, like language classes, has been a great way for me to meet people on campus. Attending events organized by the student councils, or joining clubs that I am curious about, have also helped me in meeting a lot of smart, kind-hearted, and gifted people.
What's something about being a Columbia student that you think is underrated?
Something underrated about being at Columbia is the possibility not only to get curious about the world, but to get to research it and explore it with people from numerous national identities and with many interests. I think Global Cores are a great way to get initial exposure to another global perspective, which can be followed by enrolling in a course, or simply requesting an office hours slot with professors (across any of the many Columbia schools) who are experts in your specific interests.
What are your plans post-Columbia?
After graduation, I will join a top economic consulting firm (basically, firms that do numbers for lawyers in antitrust or finance-related cases). This is a relatively common path for students who are considering a career at the intersection of law, math, and economics. While I am seriously considering an Econ PhD along the way, I am eager to start my career with exposure to real-life problems and data offered by working in industry.