Aliza Sitrin
University of Michigan
International Studies & Spanish
Aliza graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 after double majoring in International Studies and Spanish. She attained Highest Honors in International Studies for conducting a year-long research project on the effect of democratic transitions on transitional justice in post-dictatorship Spain and Chile. As a student, Aliza was a Resettlement Services Intern at Jewish Family Services. She assisted 30+ refugees and asylum seekers attain self-sufficiency in the US, and specifically helped 8 refugee and asylee women launch small businesses. Additionally, she interned for Congressman Jamie Raskin on Capitol Hill, where she assisted the legislative staff with research and policy-shaping matters.
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Aliza served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador. She collaborated with Ecuadorian English teachers to integrate a broader range of relevant topics and activities into local classrooms, as well as implement a more student centered, hands-on approach to learning English.
Aliza is passionate about international development and human rights, particularly for women and girls. She believes that water is the foundation for all life on Earth, and thus inherently linked to every environmental and social dilemma facing our planet.