Transfer Voices: Helena Khwaja

I never knew much about Barnard being from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I had only discovered the school when it came to the summer before application season of my senior year. At the time, I was planning on going down the pre-medical route and majoring in biology once I got to college. 

I ended up at a STEM university on Long Island, NY, like I said, majoring in biology and on the pre-med track. However, after a year, I came to the realization that I did not want to go down that track anymore and wanted to make a switch. This was a big decision though, and one that I did not take lightly. I had outgrown my current school, and knew that I needed to transfer somewhere that would challenge me and force me to re-discover myself. 

Barnard had never left my mind since the senior year of high school. Without a doubt, I had to transfer there or nowhere. The academic rigor, the community, the location – all things that could not be found at any other school but Barnard. I was specifically drawn to the different tracks I could specialize in within an Economics major; I had never seen that before! I was so interested in how economics and art history could be integrated through the social science track, or human rights through the political economics track. It is safe to say that I made the right choice.

After transferring to Barnard, I learned so much about myself that I was scared to explore while at my previous school. Especially with the city as an extension to the campus, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone many times, in the best way possible! The daily subway rides, going on field trips to the MET, and trying all the food spots near campus on Amsterdam Ave and Broadway! There is so much to do and experience here, and my only fear is that I will not have the time to do all of it! 

The biggest transition was from Dubai to NYC. Both bustling cities and unique in their own sense, I was still nervous about moving to a new city, especially one with a reputation as bright as NYC. However, I was more prepared than I could have ever been. I quickly found my “spots”, tackled a different neighborhood every weekend, and created a home away from home. 

I also don’t feel as if I've missed out on anything, or am lagging behind academically, coming to Barnard in the middle of my sophomore year. My advisors made sure that I was always on track with what classes I was taking and which credits counted for what. Evidently, there is a lot of support for us transfer students on campus. 

Also, most of my friends are girls who I had met during the transfer orientation process. It is so comforting to know that the people you are surrounded by are in the same boat as you. Navigating Barnard together is the best bonding experience I could’ve ever asked for! I have absolutely no regrets about how my journey to Barnard ended up because I am here now and so so grateful for every moment on that magical campus!

-Helena Khwaja BC ‘25