When the City is Both a Living Lab and a Case Study

Anika Tsapatsaris was very proud of herself the first time she gave tourists directions in the subway: She knew then that she had become a true New Yorker. The city represents so much for her personally and professionally. New York has been her home for the last eight years as she has navigated her extended time at Columbia—first, as an undergraduate at the College, and now as she pursues two degrees at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP).

When will you graduate from GSAPP, and what is your dual degree in? 

I will graduate in December of 2025, with a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development. 

What was your path to pursuing graduate work at Columbia? 

While preparing to graduate from Columbia College in May of 2022—and feeling as if my four years at Columbia weren't nearly enough—I was accepted at GSAPP for the two degree programs, which gifted me another four years at the university. Staying in New York for graduate school was a no-brainer: Having spent my undergrad career living and learning in the city, I knew that only a Columbia program could provide a lens through which to interpret global design and planning solutions, challenges, and opportunities, and bring the real world to me as both a case study and an immersion opportunity.

I completed my BA in Architecture at Columbia, understanding that it was but one small (yet critical) step in turning my passion into a profession. In my graduate and professional careers, I would need to expand my understanding of architecture to include a broader range of skills, stakeholders, and ways of thinking and working.

At GSAPP, the Master of Science in Real Estate Development program emphasizes the importance of the physical built environment in parallel with the financial and regulatory elements of real estate, equipping students with the full range of intellectual skills required to tackle the complex demands of professional real estate. From the ground upon which we build to the air quality that our buildings impact, understanding real estate as inextricably linked to the construction of physical assets is necessary for becoming responsible participants in and stewards of the built environment. Understanding architecture and real estate development as reciprocal activities is how I have approached my dual degree at GSAPP: By navigating the nexus between design and development, I have been able to synthesize the meticulousness, creativity, and diligence of an architect with the critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills of a real estate developer. 

Have you had any special mentors at Columbia?

It would be impossible to list the names of every individual who has supported me throughout my near-decade-long Columbia experience, but here are a few who have contributed majorly: Donna MacPhee (president of the Columbia Alumni Association), for being an incredible role model, friend, and exemplar of alumni spirit, inspiring my continued involvement as a young alumna, and inviting me to join the Women's Leadership Council, which embodies the legacy of Columbia's female student athletes. Michael Aufrichtig (head coach of Columbia's fencing team) allowed me to experience what it meant to work and feel like a champion, believing in me and providing me with opportunities even when I doubted my physical and mental capacity to perform. He also turned fencing into a team sport for me, enabling me to vicariously relive my love for fencing through each team member.

Angie Carrillo (associate dean of the Berick Center for Student Advising), my academic advisor at the College and close friend and supporter to this day, is an example of how loving the work you do impacts the individuals you help through your work. Finally, there’s Olivia Moss (the Columbia Alumni Association Scholarship Ambassador for GSAPP), who continues to mentor me as my academic journey slowly transitions into a professional one, and shows me how to remain involved with Columbia as an active alumna. 

What have been your favorite extracurricular activities at the university?

The two most time-intensive—and the ones I remain involved with as a graduate student—are the Division I university fencing team and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

I began fencing when I was 10 years old, and at age 14, I obtained dual citizenship with Greece so that I could compete for the Greek National Fencing Team. I was unsure whether I would fence in college, but from ages 14 to 18, I committed to near-monthly travel from New Jersey to Greece and other European countries in order to maintain my world ranking. The summer before my senior year of high school, I was scouted by Michael Aufrichtig at a tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his invitation to visit Columbia that fall offered the first glimpse of what would become my home for the next eight years.

Before college, fencing had been a strictly individual sport. But through the success of the Columbia fencing team, I was able to call myself an NCAA Champion, Ivy League Champion, and two-time team captain. The collegiate chapter of my fencing career came to a close with graduation in 2022, but I recently re-entered competitive international fencing.

I always used to say that joining a sorority was the last thing I ever thought I'd do, but the best thing I ever did. Despite being the eldest of three sisters at home in New Jersey, finding another 150+ sisters in Alpha Chi Omega has made campus feel closer to home than ever. Since my 2022 graduation, I have remained involved with the sorority by serving as the chapter advisor.

How do you like studying in the city? What are your favorite urban pastimes? 

As someone studying architecture and real estate development, New York is more than just my classroom and campus; it is also the place where my passion and future profession are at the forefront of city planning and policy, helping to usher in innovative solutions to designing, building, and financing the built environment. Having New York City as my ever-evolving case study enables me to solidify my learning because I am living it.

One of my favorite urban pastimes is discovering new, efficient travel routes with public transportation. In classic New York fashion, I'm always seeking the speediest, least complicated means of getting from point A to point Z. Feeling comfortable navigating the New York City transit system is a super-power of which I’m proud. 

Any recommendations for things to do beyond campus? 

There are so many offerings built into Columbia that help you leverage your education and experience in New York City. Some of my best experiences in the city have been things affiliated with Columbia and its various city-wide programming and student discounts. From $25 front-row tickets at the New York Philharmonic to complimentary museum entry and special alumni-organized events, it’s easy and rewarding to experience the city through Columbia—and to allow the city to serve as an extension of your university experience.

How have you found community at Columbia and in New York?

Before applying to Columbia in September of 2017, I saw a billboard at Newark Liberty International Airport that said: "Some New Yorkers are born. Some are made. All are welcome." Despite the fact that Newark Airport is not even located in New York, something about seeing the New York skyline as you descend into the adjacent state makes you feel like you've "made it." 

When I moved from New Jersey to the Upper West Side in 2018, I found that I often bumped into a friend from high school, or a mutual friend-of-a-friend's-friend. I soon realized that it’s hard to be alone in New York City. Often, I made the most meaningful connections when I, say, sat silently, sipping tea at my favorite Upper West Side cafe and reading The Iliad, or during solo museum afternoons that I spent seeing dinosaur bones or Rembrandt paintings, or evenings when I took myself out to open Greek nights in Astoria or classical music pop-ups at the Philharmonic. Spontaneity will always chase you in New York; finding community can be as simple as stepping outside your front door—and contributing to all the energy the city produces. 

What's something about being a Columbia student that you think is underrated? 

Despite being located in the city that never sleeps, Columbia provides an oasis amidst the commotion. The university simultaneously benefits from access to the city's major public transportation arteries and landmarks and maintains a campus-like feel, hybridizing two contrasting elements of the college experience into one environment. Although the sound of sirens never disappears, there's something about the Morningside Campus that immediately feels like home. My favorite way to de-stress after a long day has always been to sit on Low Steps and watch the diversity of quotidian activities unfold. Columbia isn't just a microcosm of the real world on a university campus; it is the real world, and very few places can claim the benefit of allowing students to both learn rigorously and live a real urban life. 

What are your plans post-graduation? 

My goals are to live and work somewhere that, if not New York, provides a similar level of energy and opportunity for professional and personal life; become a licensed architect and carry this knowledge into my work in real estate development; and remain highly involved with Columbia (my long-term dream would be to teach here!). If Greek people are known for one thing, it's that they never stray too far from home.