Blog post written by Alejandro Albarracín González
My name is Alejandro Albarracín González, and I am an international sophomore from Spain studying microbiology here at the University of Michigan–Dearborn.
When I was applying to UM-Dearborn, I started looking into all the possibilities and opportunities on our campus. The class size and approachable faculty were a huge plus for me. Additionally, undergraduate students aren’t only allowed to research, but we are strongly encouraged to do so, thanks to initiatives such as the SURE program.
Now that I am starting my third semester at the university, I see some of the major differences between my hometown and the Metro Detroit area.
Firstly, it is quite complicated to move around. The public transport system in Detroit is a bit outdated, which makes accessing Downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, or even grocery shopping complicated. In Spain, I used to walk or bike everywhere! Our campus, though, has great initiatives to help deal with that. They offer shuttle lines that go to nearby residences, as well as a Saturday Shopping Shuttle. There are also some student-led initiatives to connect Detroit, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor with shuttles.
Secondly, you will love the way classes work here; it is great (and unusual in most university settings). Here, you can walk up to the professors at the end of the class and learn from them directly (or even join their research labs), randomly see the chancellor on your way to class, or even be taught by the president of the University!
Thirdly, the snow. It’s crazy. You’ll see when you are here.
Lastly, it is a very calm campus. We are a commuter-based university, so the campus will rarely be too crowded!
Regarding life as a student, I have three recommendations for incoming students.
Recommendation #1
I am a very curious person, so research is something that interests me a lot. At the beginning of every year, the Undergraduate Research Exposition takes place, and student researchers from all fields expose their projects in under a minute each! In that exposition, I met the team that I joined a few weeks later — my current lab team, the Fan Lab.
This is my first recommendation: if you love a subject, join a research group, talk to your professors, and — regardless of it being engineering, life sciences, or philosophy — do research in the fields you enjoy.
Recommendation #2
Among my interests, helping others is a must. Our campus has great volunteering opportunities, including the annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.” This initiative brings together many people to help with tasks ranging from making presents for local children’s hospitals to preparing food for food banks. Many other opportunities are available with Planet Blue Ambassadors and the Environmental Interpretive Center.
That is my second recommendation: volunteer all you can. You will meet great people, have lots of fun, and help out all at once.
Recommendation #3
“What about student life?” - You may ask yourself.
There are over 150 clubs on campus, so you will find many that fit your interests. And, what if none are related to the specific field or activity you want to join? In that case, you can start your own! My friend and I recently added to the amazing list of clubs on campus the “Paleontology Club”— a multidisciplinary and cross-campus research club. If you enjoy student advocacy, then the Student Government is the right place for you. We even reserve spots for incoming first-year students to become senators, so if you’d like to, you are welcome to join our team!
Lastly, if what you enjoy is organizing and preparing events that everyone can enjoy, then cultural or language associations and the Student Activities Board are the perfect fit for you — these club events include Homecoming Night, Holi (an Indian festival), and even a Fashion Show.
This is my third recommendation: Enjoy and collaborate with student life organizations.
I hope that these recommendations will help you enjoy your time here at UM-Dearborn – and I hope I’ll see you soon on campus!
