April 2021
Arianna Brangman
BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Psychology; minor, Moral and Political Philosophy ‘22
Hometown: Mount Laurel, NJ
Affiliations: Sigma Iota Rho, Success Connects, Michigan Refugee Assistance Program, Multiple Myeloma 5k Charity Runs
“The summer before my sophomore year, I was able to study abroad in Ishinomaki, Japan. This area was one of the hardest hit from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. While there, my group and I were able to witness the incredible resilience, welcoming nature, and generosity of the Japanese people. This study abroad experience taught me so many unique things, but the most important lesson I took away from the trip was that no matter how difficult things are, life goes on and your experience is shaped by how much one is willing to adapt and work even harder for something better. Everyday we got to see people who had lost everything create a new and happier life for themselves and their community. As International Studies majors and minors, we should all try to find ways to make life a better and happier place for all. Connecting with those in need and learning from the experiences of others are the start in ways that our community, country, and world can look to the future with hope and resilience.”
Future plans: “After I finish my BA at the University of Michigan, I hope to continue on to graduate school in the United Kingdom and hope to have a career as a diplomat or human rights ambassador. Along the way, I hope that I can gain the necessary skills to approach people from all walks of life and learn how to make the biggest change for good possible, both in and out of my career.”
