March 2019
Ryan Schaller
BA International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BA Romance Languages and Literatures; minor, Business Administration ’19
Hometown: Brighton, MI
Affiliations: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Academic Success Program Tutor, Sciences Po Semester Exchange Program, GIEU Peru—Healthy Kitchens, LSA International Internship Program
“Over the course of my four years at the University of Michigan, I've been very fortunate to have gone abroad three times. After my freshman year, I spent the summer interning for an event planning company in France through the LSA International Internship Program. Then, after my sophomore year, I went overseas in a volunteer capacity. Through the GIEU Peru—Healthy Kitchens program, I traveled to Peru with a cohort of University of Michigan students to work and live in local communities. Most recently, I spent last winter semester studying at Sciences Po in Paris. I took a range of courses in the social sciences from sociology to economics and everything in between. It was amazing to go to class every day and learn from such world-renowned faculty. All in all, I've greatly appreciated how my International Studies major has motivated me to pursue so many international opportunities as an undergraduate. More than that, several of my courses actively prepared me for situations and experiences that I encountered abroad.”
Future plans: “At present, I'm currently deciding between taking a full-time job in the private sector or committing to serve as a volunteer in the Peace Corps.”
