"Growing up being a first-generation American, I was always fascinated by global issues and the function of the various governing bodies. Through the combination of my majors and minor, I have gained a global and technical perspective of the world. With these skills that I have developed, I am excited to apply them into my future experiences outside of the classroom while I widen my global perspective.

PICS has given me so many amazing opportunities. After my freshman year, I studied abroad in Kraków, Poland, where I studied Polish language, literature and culture and made lifelong friends from all around the world. I have been able to apply what I have learned through enriching internships such as being a journalism intern for NBC Chicago and being an intern for the U.S. Department of State at the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. With these experiences, along with the support of my PICS adviser and my professors, I am so excited to attend the University of Chicago to earn my masters in International Relations. 

My favorite PICS experiences include meeting my thesis adviser, Dr. Pauline Jones and having her guide me through writing my PICS honors thesis and helping me with my graduate school applications. Having Dr. Jones as my mentor has helped me tremendously throughout my undergraduate career. Additionally, I have worked part-time as an office assistant at the International Institute for 3 years and have gotten to know the PICS staff and take their advice, which I am so grateful for.

I am so excited for what the future holds and so thankful for PICS, my family, and friends for guiding me during my 4 amazing years at U of M."

Paulina Buchta

Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Political Science; BA Polish; minor, Business Administration ‘22

Hometown: Long Island, NY

Affiliations: SAPAC, Alpha Phi Sorority

Future Plans: “Attending Northwestern University to study Public Policy and Administration and will be pursuing a career in consulting after graduate school!”

Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Working at the International Institute as an Office Assistant for 3 years and getting to know the PICS staff and faculty! I also learned so much from working with my thesis adviser, Professor Jones.”

Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I am so grateful for my family, friends, professors, and advisers for helping me achieve all of my goals throughout undergrad here at Michigan that have set me up for an exciting future to look forward to!”