Before leaving for the United States, please advicing for a international student's concerns.

Hi! I'm planning to study abroad in the United States from Asia this summer.

Though my major is currently in mechanical engineering, I have a strong interest in economics, so I'm planning to shift my focus to economics studies in the U.S. My goal is working in IB and PE. While achieving my dream through Community College and University might be quite challenging, I've chosen to pursue my dream.

The school I'm aiming for is Columbia GS because I expect more opportunities there.

However, my mind is a bit overwhelmed, and I could use some advice.

1. Do you think I could secure internship opportunities in my third year even if I attend universities like UCI, UCSD, UCD, and UCB, which are a bit far from New York? I've heard that many international students lean towards staying around California for a smooth transfer. So, I'm torn between New York and California for transfer (the location of Community College is crucial for transfer).
2. Realistically, finding an internship in the third year as a Community College transfer student might be a bit tough. Any suggestions on what I should focus on at Community College to keep my hopes up?
3. If I end up not securing an internship in the third year at the University, do you think tackling CFA Level 1 could give me a leg up in the job hunt?

I'm really looking for practical advice and don't mind putting in the time and effort.