Global Learning in Action: Harrison Gerson’s Journey with Columbia Global Centers
His transformative undergrad experience was largely shaped by his relationship with the Columbia Global Centers—particularly the Santiago Center.
As he graduates from Columbia College with a B.A. majoring in Sustainable Development with a minor in Hispanic Cultures, Harrison Gerson (CC’25) looks back on a transformative undergraduate experience shaped in large part by his relationship with the Columbia Global Centers—particularly the Santiago Center.
Harrison first connected with the Santiago team in December 2022, as a sophomore eager to explore Chile’s potential as a hub for sustainable tourism. After sharing his interests, Programming Officer Chris Molinari helped him establish two key connections: with the Federación de Empresas de Turismo de Chile (FEDETUR), Chile’s national tourism industry federation, and with Patagonia Camp, a renowned eco-lodge near Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s Magallanes region.
These partnerships laid the foundation for a summer internship in Chile through the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Program, which brought Harrison to Santiago and Patagonia in July and August of 2023. His internship focused on advancing sustainability in Chile’s tourism sector.
At FEDETUR, he developed a practical sustainability guide for tourism businesses across Chile. The resource aimed to help companies measure and reduce their carbon footprint, understand environmental offsets, and integrate circular practices and renewable energy into their operations.
“I had the opportunity to influence and learn from tourism leaders, from the deserts of the Atacama to Antarctic expeditions,” Harrison said. “I met with large-scale operators like LATAM—Latin America’s biggest airline— and with small local tour businesses, and I gained insight into the workings of Chilean governmental authorities.”
Harrison then headed to the country’s far south to intern with Patagonia Camp, named Tripadvisor’s #1 Out-of-the-Ordinary Hotel in the world. There, he worked closely with the team to develop sustainability recommendations tailored to the region’s unique natural environment and cultural heritage. “The natural beauty and isolation of the Magallanes region completely blew me away. I was much closer to Antarctica than Santiago, which boggled me,” he shared. “Beyond the mate, estancia traditions, and boina hats, I discovered a welcoming community of friendly faces and strong environmentalism.”
From the outset, the Santiago Center played a key role in supporting Harrison’s time in Chile. “The team made me feel comfortable both before and during my stay,” he recalls. “They helped me choose a safe neighborhood and shared essential tips for navigating metropolitan Santiago. I’m grateful for their support and I look forward to keeping in touch with Carla, Vivi, and Chris.”
That support continued even after his internship ended. Harrison returned to Chile in August and December of 2024, strengthening both professional relationships and friendships. His experience in Santiago served as a springboard for his broader engagement with Columbia Global Centers, which would go on to shape his academic focus.
Over the past four years, Harrison has visited five Global Centers: Santiago, Paris, Amman, Nairobi, and Tunis. At Reid Hall in Paris, he spent a month developing sustainability strategies for the historic Columbia building. Through the Kraft Global Fellows Program, he participated in study trips to the other three centers.
“The presence of a Columbia Global Center in Chile was one of the main reasons I chose to intern here,” Harrison said. “It provided me with a sense of security, support, and opportunity.”
Inspired by these experiences, Harrison dedicated his senior thesis to examining the role of university global centers in advancing sustainability. His project— “University Global Centers and Sustainability: Empowering Leadership Abroad”—analyzes the quick expansion of these centers in the last three decades and how they reflect and implement their institutions’ sustainability goals. Between June and December 2024, he conducted 25 interviews with sustainability and global center staff across 10 cities and six universities, including Columbia, Harvard, NYU, Notre Dame, UC Davis and Heidelberg. At the Santiago Center, he interviewed Chris Molinari as part of his research.
“Columbia Global gave me the tools to explore culture and professional opportunities abroad,” Harrison reflected. “These experiences not only informed my academic work but helped me develop a deep appreciation for place-based leadership and environmental collaboration.”
As he prepares for life after Columbia, Harrison carries with him the lessons—and relationships—he built through the Santiago Center and the CGC network. His journey is a testament to the impact of global learning, cross-cultural exchange, and institutional support.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Columbia Global Santiago Center for helping me arrange logistics for my first internship abroad with FEDETUR,” he said. “I have since returned to Chile twice, building on the professional relationships and friendships from that first experience through the support of the Santiago Center.”