Barack Obama Blog Biography

August 1981: In what’s sure to be an important step for the maturation and development of his academic and political knowledge, Barack Obama has transferred from Occidental College - a small, academically rigorous liberal arts college in Los Angeles - to prestigious Columbia University in New York City. The change of coasts marks the fourth big relocation of young Obama’s life - born in Hawaii, he has also lived in Indonesia, Hawaii again and then Los Angeles. A diverse list, to be sure.

Obama’s first evening in New York has already been a humbling awakening. With just one contact in the “Big Apple”, hopeful phone calls and door bells for a promised roof and bed fall on silent ears and Obama was forced to curl up on his battered luggage for a long night in the alley on the Upper West side of Manhattan.

Over the months Obama will live in more than a few apartments, learning quickly the “intracacies” of New York’s real estate market. Rentals will, undoubtedly, fall through and new doors will open, but Obama’s focus will only become sharper as he concentrates on keeping in basketball shape and most importantly, graduating with a degree from Columbia.

During his time in New York, Obama’s mother and sister, Maya, plan to visit. With both children having grown up considerably since the last time they were all together, Obama’s mother will share more stories about Obama’s father and their once-promising love story.