Brynn Jankowski - Franke Fellow of Culture & Politics
Major(s): Linguistics and Mathematics
Minor: Japanese
Brynn is an active UM student and Missoula resident. On campus, she is involved with Linguistics Club and the Japanese Student Association. She also holds a position as a GLI Ambassador, where she helps with recruitment events, volunteering opportunities, and program outreach. In her free time, Brynn loves exploring Missoula by supporting local businesses (Tea & Crepe is her favorite!), attending Griz football games, and hiking through scenic trails in Pattee Canyon.
Brynn's Beyond the Classroom Experience
For her Beyond the Classroom Experience, Brynn studied abroad in Sendai, Japan, at a UM Partner School, Tohoku University. In Japan, Brynn became very active in her community and fully immersed herself in Japanese culture. She joined a club at her university where she learned the art of Kyudo, a martial art focused on the beauty and patience found in long bow archery. She participated in a large, annually-celebrated summer festival called Tanabata Matsuri, where she had the opportunity to perform a traditional dance and assist with designing and planning the festival's decor. Brynn also had ample opportunities to practice her Japanese skills, which directly applies to her studies as a Linguistics major and Japanese minor.
Brynn's GLI Experience and Advice
Before she committed to joining the GLI, Brynn found herself worried about how she would find the balance between her studies, her job, and her social life. However, after discovering how to fit GLI requirements into her schedule, she says it was "one of the most flexible, low-commitment items" on her itinerary. Her experience in the GLI provided her with opportunities to explore her academic interests through intersections of diverse viewpoints, while also finding opportunities for personal growth. Brynn discovered her own leadership style and gained the confidence to build a community within the GLI. To quote Brynn directly:
"The community is one I have found myself truly treasuring, as the current and previous students are very welcoming, the advisors are friendly and helpful, and the Frankes are invested in our endeavors. I believe that joining GLI can be beneficial for anyone and everyone."
