#MeetTheClass: Sabine Zednik-Hammonds, '27 M.S.
Sabine Zednik-Hammonds comes to Columbia ready to turn her international experience into a career telling stories for global audiences.
Where are you from and what program are you pursuing?
I'm from Brussels, Belgium, and I'm in the Full-Time M.S. program.
What inspired you to attend Columbia Journalism School?
I was drawn to Columbia because of the freedom it gives its students to explore and become skilled at different beats, formats and mediums. I am determined to become a rigorous and principled journalist, values that the Journalism School takes special care to instill in its students. Plus, the fact that the school is located in a city as culturally diverse as New York was a huge draw as someone with an international background. My Dad also happens to be a Columbia J-School alum!
After the J-School, what would you like to do?
Having briefly worked in the public sector at a Japanese diplomatic mission, I considered becoming a public servant, but I believe my strengths would allow me to make a greater impact as a journalist. My dream is to become a foreign correspondent for a public broadcaster such as the UK's BBC or Japan's NHK, utilizing the languages I speak to bring under-told international stories to broad audiences, particularly on the topics of climate change and sustainable development.
What is your favorite activity/location in NYC so far?
I went to Little Tokyo in the East Village to photograph Japanese-owned businesses as part of a photography workshop assignment, and really enjoyed it. I studied Japanese in college and lived in Japan for a year, so it was fun to practice both my Japanese and photography skills at the same time. Kenka and Sake Bar Decibel will likely become my new haunts.