Meet the Columbia Swimmer Whose Jamaican Roots Guide Her Across Uptown NYC and the World
This Caribbean American Heritage Month, meet Emily MacDonald, a Columbia junior and competitive swimmer, as she navigates life as a student-athlete.
In honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, marked annually each June, Columbia Neighbors sat down with Emily MacDonald, a Florida-born, Jamaica-raised Columbia College junior on the Women's Swimming and Diving team.
Ahead of the international competitive swim season, MacDonald connected with us about her passion for the sport, the significance of community and life in Uptown NYC, and the impact of Caribbean (specifically Jamaican) culture across the world.
MacDonald often competes internationally for Jamaica, most recently making a debut at the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar earlier this year.
Early Life
At age two, MacDonald moved to Kingston, Jamaica, with her family and has since lived in both the United States and the West Indies. She credits her family and friends as a strong foundation for her success.
MacDonald has represented Jamaica since she was 12 years old and considers it a privilege, especially being allowed to explore the world on behalf of the country. She takes representation seriously whenever given the opportunity to showcase the island's talents and hopes to represent Jamaica in an upcoming Olympics.
“Me representing my country, me attending an Ivy League university and me being a highly educated person — it shows people there’s not just one way to be Jamaican," MacDonald said.
“Me representing my country, me attending an Ivy League university, and me being a highly educated person — it shows people there’s not just one way to be Jamaican."
Coming to Columbia
MacDonald moved to New York in 2021 to attend Columbia College and compete for Columbia's Swimming and Diving team. She is the Columbia program record holder in the 50-free, 200-free relay, 400-free relay, and 800-free relay events.
She shared how her communities in the U.S. and the Caribbean are actually quite similar, include friends from different cultural backgrounds, and give her a sense of belonging with her teammates at Columbia University.
“The Jamaicans in New York are the closest to Jamaicans back home in terms of language, food, mannerisms," MacDonald said. "They remind me of being back home. "
The city's melting pot of race, culture, and other identities has helped her feel more comfortable existing within her mixed heritage, which connects her family to India as well as Jamaica.
Although she finds challenges in fully enjoying New York City as a student-athlete who prioritizes self-care, she appreciates the city's diversity above all else.
Favorite Uptown Spot
One of MacDonald's favorite parts about her journey at Columbia has been connecting with the local community, so naturally, we asked her to share her favorite local spots that everyone should know.
She gave a shout-out to Caribbean Star, located at 280 Malcolm X Blvd., as some of the best curry goat she's had here in New York City. It is so good that she even brought some of her friends to the restaurant.
A Caribbean Legacy
When asked what she loves most about being Jamaican, MacDonald said: “My favorite thing about being Jamaican is Patois. Patois is the best thing. It’s unintelligible if you speak it fast enough, which is fun."
Recognizing the dynamic and influential legacy Jamaica carries, MacDonald pinpointed five-time Olympian Alia Atkinson, singer-songwriter Bob Marley, and Harlem Renaissance poet and writer Claude McKay as three of her biggest inspirations.
MacDonald hopes to represent Jamaica in future competitive spaces and will proudly continue to carry the torch of hard work, commitment, and dedication to what she loves.