Writing College Life in NYC: A Journey in Reading and Writing

July 7-17, 2025 Rose Hill

3-Credit Course

In this course, students develop writing and reflective thinking skills through an exploration - literary, music, arts and otherwise - of this dynamic and diverse city. By exploring our differences and identifying common ground in NYC through writing, reading, and outings, we will come to reflect on what makes each Summer Leaders Academy student unique in their college journey and what makes a college community.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Develop a critical awareness of different genres of traditional and multimedia writing, including short stories, poetry, essays, journalism, and visual arts.
  • Turn personal experiences in, and feelings about, NYC into bigger reflections on wider social and historical context through journal writing.
  • Interpret New York's City cultural landscape critically and reflect on how their unique insights about the city can contribute to their sense of belonging and learning experience at Fordham.
  • Understand the interdisciplinary work and research at Fordham by introducing students to different forms of media. 
  • Cultivate aesthetic appreciation of cultures and subcultures and solidify students' identity as compassionate global citizens.

Overall Takeaways

Being in a new environment can be a daunting challenge. Through this writing and reading course, which involves in-person engagement with the city, students will learn how to adjust themselves in their college life while also learning key ideas and techniques used in various writing styles. 

Instructor Bio

Wing Tan Lai

Wing Tan Lai is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Department of English. She gained her master’s degree in English at Oxford University. Apart from her passion for writing and reading, she is an amateur photographer and loves capturing mundane but humane moments in NYC. She has abundant experience in teaching undergraduate writing. 

Course Details

Writing College Life in NYC: A Journey in Reading and Writing
July 7-17, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
3 credits
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Wing Tan Lai

Course Number: IDIS 1101 RP2
CRN:

Please note that this is a college course and that Fordham students may also be enrolled, which will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about life at Fordham.

Tuition

Residential: $4,450.00 (2024 rate; 2025 rate will be available by December 1)
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in for this program is Sunday, July 21, 2024 and move-out is Friday, August 2, 2024 by noon. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. We recommend early application.

Commuter: $3,500.00 (2024 rate; 2025 rate will be available by December 1)
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

Apply

Applications for Summer 2025 will be available by December 1, 2024.

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: April 14, 2025; course only: May 14, 2025. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. Apply by April 1, 2025 to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this non-credit course is open to high school students who have completed their first year. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.

If you are applying for housing, a brief letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, coach, instructor, or supervisor, attesting to your maturity and responsibility as a student is required.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.