My background

My name is Sharon Melzer, and I'm originally from Tel Aviv, Israel. I went to high school in my hometown and got my degree at the Open University of Israel, where I studied international relations, political science, and business while also working full-time. Since I was 18, I have been working in marketing and social media, focusing on startups and growth-stage companies. My first role was at an early-stage startup called Jolt. After six months, the company faced financial difficulties and eventually shut down, forcing me to look for my next opportunity sooner than expected. Shortly after, I joined monday.com as a Social Media Manager and Community Manager, while simultaneously running my own freelance marketing consultancy.

Why the U.S?

Over the course of two years, I built my career in tech marketing through various roles. This journey included five months at monday.com, where I held marketing management positions and gained hands-on experience in content, growth, and brand strategy, as well as other impactful roles that broadened my expertise. After earning my degree at 21, I was offered a job as Communications and Social Media Advisor to Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. This role helped me realise the importance of strengthening my knowledge in public relations. While marketing and public relations are closely related, they serve different purposes, and PR requires a different approach. So I realised I had to deepen my knowledge in this field to grow career-wise.  Therefore, I moved to the city and worked there for nearly two years before stepping away in July 2025 to begin my master’s degree. 

Choosing NYU

When it came time to choose a graduate program,  New York University stood out to me for the amount of resources it offers and how much I would benefit from them once I attended. I was particularly drawn to how closely NYU connects academic learning with real-world experience and industry access.

Beyond academics, I was also already deeply connected to New York City. The fact that everywhere you look, it always feels like there is more to do, more to learn, and more people to meet makes personal growth inevitable. The environment also played a major role in my decision to stay in the city and pursue my studies at NYU.

Stats and Extracurriculars

I started my application process for the Public Relations and Corporate Communication program at NYU in October 2024 and submitted it with a translated GPA of 4.0 and a TOEFL score of 112 in February 2025.

 Besides that, in my extracurricular activities, I included my freelance social media consultancy and content creation for various startups. I detailed my experience at the United Nations, where I worked closely with Ambassador Danny Danon and Ambassador Gilad Erdan. My work focused on building digital strategy and presence, producing bilingual content, and advancing Israel’s diplomatic messaging on social media during one of the most significant periods in the country’s recent history.

Earlier in my life, I volunteered as an MDA (Magen David Adom) first responder for approximately 3 years, between the ages of 15 and 18. I completed my mandatory Israeli military service from ages 18–20, developing social media production, filming, and editing.

How much did it cost to apply?

When I started the application process, I had to pay $150 for the application fee.  I did not receive financial aid from NYU, which means the cost of attending is $27,000 per semester, excluding books, materials, and living expenses.

Getting the Student Visa

Initially, I held a G-1 diplomatic visa due to my role at the United Nations, but to enroll as a student, I needed to transition to an F-1 student visa. After getting accepted and confirming I was participating in the program, I paid the government to receive an I-20 from NYU within five days. However, receiving the I-20 does not activate the visa: to complete the process, I had to return to Israel and attend an appointment at the U.S. Embassy.

At the embassy, I presented my acceptance letter and I-20, along with proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses. My F-1 visa was approved, and I was allowed to return to the United States to start studying. 

The first week at NYU

NYU has great programs for all new students to connect with each other and become familiar with the environment. Especially for international students, they offer a week before school starts to participate in summits and enter orientation week more confidently. Orientation week includes five days of different events where you learn everything you need to know, from finances for international students to visas, work experience, and all of the resources available to you as a student. You also have a personal advisor and a dedicated career center that you can always reach out to.

During my first semester, I enrolled in four courses, totaling approximately 10 classroom hours per week. These courses included Public Relations Writing, Business Skills for Public Relations Professionals, Theory and History of Public Relations, and Law and Ethics in Public Relations.

Outside of class

Outside of my studies, I co-founded a startup called VenueHopper with two partners and actively used NYU’s entrepreneurial resources. We participated in two university programs: NYU Sprint, which operates as a startup accelerator, and the Berkley Entrepreneurship Challenge, a funding competition for early-stage startups.

To balance student life and my personal life, it all comes down to strong time management and organising my agenda to prioritise what’s most important to me. The city creates so many networking opportunities, so it’s also very important to stay active in your industry and take advantage of all the resources available. You constantly meet people from different countries, languages, and cultures, which allows you to broaden your perspective and connect with new people.

Advice to students

My biggest piece of advice for prospective students is to be financially prepared, especially when planning to study in an expensive city. It’s essential to understand not only the cost of tuition, but also the realities of living expenses.

Equally important is researching the city itself. It is fundamental to learn the basics, such as how to find an apartment, where to buy the cheapest groceries, and which borough you’re going to live in.

Finally, I strongly encourage international students to connect with others who have already gone through the process. Conversations with fellow international students can provide insights and guidance that you won’t find in official brochures or websites. Keeping an open mind and learning from their experiences can make the transition much smoother.