By: Adi Balaji

The Working Paper interviewed various members of the MUNUM staff to gain insight into life at the University of Michigan. We wished to connect with the members at a personal level to understand the draw of U of M, its special quirks unique to it, and the individual experiences of students studying here. We were happy to receive a huge amount of input on why this university has so much charm to it, and why the students enjoy their lives here. Here is a transcript of the interview that details Umich students’ favorite things at the school, about Ann Arbor, and more! Please note that the interview questions were addressed to the room as a whole.

WP: Hello and good morning! Thank you very much for having me here to interview you guys! Jumping straight into it, my first question to you is, out of the hundreds of amazing schools throughout the United States, why choose U of M?

Anna Recknagel, Deputy Secretary General of Internal Affairs: I chose Michigan for a plethora of reasons. I chose it since it’s close to home, which is nice. But I also because it had all the programs that I wanted in a school: I wanted science programs, a strong arts program, a strong history department, and I got to have all 3, which is great. I also wanted a big school: I wanted the football games, the basketball games and the school spirit. I really like Ann Arbor as a city, and I really like Michigan as a school for this.

Drew Stark, Secretary of Publicity: I was looking for a school that had a lot of opportunities in the sciences, as that was something I wanted to do continue from high school. The university having its own hospital and many research opportunities was a really big draw for me. One big reason I ended up here is because most of my extended family are Spartans, and really pushed for me to go to Michigan State. I just wanted to rumble some feathers in the family. So here I am.

WP: So you’ve got the house divided thing going on at home. Pretty interesting. While we’re on the topic of big school culture, football games and schools spirit, my next question to you is, how would you describe the social life at U of M? What do you and other students do for fun around here?

Eric Payerle, USG for Crisis Committees: That’s an excellent question. You mentioned football games, so I’m in the marching band of U of M, and most of my spare time goes into marching band activities, especially during the fall. Fall in Ann Arbor is especially special because a lot of the students can enjoy the atmosphere, and go around to nearby cider mills. Going to the Arb in the winter (Nicholas Arboretum) is especially fun because you get to trudge through the snow, it’s a nice trip to make. 

Shannon Hickey, Secretary of Programming: A good thing to do for fun in U of M is joining a lot of clubs and organizations here. I figure skate with the club team, I’m in a sorority and MUNUM, of course, and so finding those communities where you can really bond with people is really helpful and is a big part of my social life.
Anna Recknagel: I definitely agree with being more involved with clubs and organizations. I found communities in MUNUM and the musical theater organization, which are both really fun. For me and my friends, we just try to find fun things to do around campus whether it’s football games, restaurants here, which are really fun, the arts events, and more. The performing arts events often have really big names come in, and it can be very entertaining.

WP: While we’re on the topic of restaurants and downtown Ann Arbor, what’s your favorite place to eat at Ann Arbor?

Ryan Jansen, Deputy Secretary General of External Affairs: For me it’s undoubtedly Baba Dari, since I absolutely love mediterranean and middle eastern food. You really can’t beat a chicken shawarma and hummus.

Celince, Secretary of Training: I also really love mediterranean options, so my favorite restaurant is Jerusalem Garden. It’s got really amazing variety!

WP: Absolutely, it’s got a really amazing environment, especially in the summer when you can sit outside. 

Hannah Albee, USG to Specialized Committees: The Tomukun Korean BBQ place is just, chef’s kiss! 

The entire room also agreed that Zingerman’s is an amazing place to get food and coffee, but only if you’re with your parents, and when they’re paying for all of it.

Drew Stark: Mani Osteria is the absolute best place to go for their Pizza and Arancini, but once again only if you’re with your parents as they drain your pockets a little bit.

WP: Of course we can’t forget to talk about ice cream, and I see in the chat that everyone agrees that Blank Slate is one of the best places to get ice cream in Ann Arbor.
Drew Stark: As someone who works in Blank Slate, my totally unbiased opinion is that Blank Slate is THE best ice cream place in Ann Arbor.

Ryan Jansen: There’s just a freshness to Blank Slate’s ice cream, and the diversity of flavors- I think there’s a caramel latte flavor- is what makes it worth it.

WP: My next question is, what’s one unique, quirky or fun thing about U of M that makes it worth coming here?

Zaid Haque, Secretary of Tech: One unique thing is that you won’t find a man in a wolf costume playing the violin on the corner of State street anywhere else. You won’t find it at any other university. 

Anna Recknagel: There’s also Reggie B. Reggie B is the love of my life. I have a pretty strong obsession with him.

WP: Thank you for your input! That sounds hilarious! My last question to you guys is, how has COVID affected life at Umich, other than distanced learning?

Ryan Jansen: Well I’ve been at home for both semesters, so not just distanced learning, but also distance from everything else: the community and friends, and trying to overcome that was pretty tough. We have to be creative and take advantage of zoom, and this kind of teaches us to appreciate people more. 

Shannon Hickey: I think the social aspect of college was the most challenging with distance learning. Staying away from friends and nice interactions in general can create anxiety, and all of us are trying to adapt to that and trying to get used to incorporating people outside our bubble.

WP: Well, that’s all the questions I have for you today. I cannot thank you enough for your time today. Thank you very much for organizing this conference for us. I really appreciate your input on life at U of M and your personal experiences being here.

If you are interested in what makes U of M special and want to ask your own questions to Michigan students log onto the staff panel tonight at 5:30 PM. Find the link at https://www.munum.org/student-panel.