# Humans of Stern: Philip Shin

Undergraduate Prospective Students

February 24, 2017 ![Philip Shin (BS '18)](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-24%20at%203.08.28%20PM.png?itok=OCCgrN7c) **Philip Shin** (BS ’18)
**Concentrations:** Finance and Accounting
**Minor:** [Food Studies](http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/nutrition/dietetics/minor/)
**Hometown:** New York, New York
**On Campus Involvement:** [NYU Fencing](http://www.gonyuathletics.com/index.aspx?path=mfence) (Placed [\#14](http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695494-men-s-foil) in the US and [\#115](http://fie.org/fencers/Philip-SHIN-38635/career) in the 2017 World Cup for Men's Foil)

**Favorite hole-in-the-wall food spot?**
I’ve been going to [Da Andrea](https://www.yelp.com/biz/da-andrea-new-york) since elementary school, but for a more hole-in-the-wall experience, I really like [Mamoun’s Falafel](https://www.yelp.com/biz/mamouns-falafel-new-york-2).

**Most overhyped food or food spot?**
Currently, I think [DŌ](https://www.yelp.com/biz/d%C5%8D-cookie-dough-confections-new-york-2) is overhyped, but so are cronuts (even though I’m all about them).

**How did you decide on your food studies minor?**
Even though I originally wanted to minor in chemistry or joint minor in math and computer science, I ended up thinking: why would I do that if I’m already majoring in finance and accounting? I wanted to find something outside of Stern and something that I’m actually passionate about, and that ended up being food studies. It turns out there’s a lot more about food that I never knew before, and now I document all the food I eat on my [foodstagram](https://www.instagram.com/philthyeats/).

**You recently competed at the 2017 fencing World Cup in Germany; what was that like?**
The World Cup was the first international fencing competition I went to in four years. It was an amazing experience all-around, since world-class fencers and previous Olympic champions were all in the same venue that I was competing in. Even though the nerves got to me in the beginning, I was able to overcome them and ended up being happy with how I did. It was really just an honor to represent NYU and the US.

**How has being a student athlete shaped your experience at NYU?**
As with most sports, being part of a team taught me how to work together and make split-second decisions under time constraints. I’ve been able to apply these skills in school and work, and it’s made me glad that I decided to continue fencing in college. I’ve also been able to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t have hung out with, including some Olympians.

**Other than fencing, are there any other experiences that have really shaped your time here?**
Because I grew up in Manhattan and stayed in Manhattan to study, I never really left home until I studied abroad in Prague my sophomore fall. To live in a city that’s so slow-paced compared to New York was a culture shock, but I enjoyed it because it was relaxing and I was able to visit places I’ve never been to. I was also able to train with Czech fencers, and that gave me the opportunity to interact with locals and feel more integrated in the city.

**What advice would you give to the incoming freshman class or underclassmen?**
People expect NYU to change them, and NYU can change you, but you have to be open to that change. When I was a freshman, I didn’t get involved in clubs until second semester. Now as a RA, I’ve spoken to so many proactive freshmen, and that’s the right track to be on.