Jerusaliem Gebreziabher

My name is Jerusaliem Gebreziabher and I am a third year student at the University of Michigan. I am double concentrating in Political Science, and Communication Design & Photography (joint program). I am also pursuing a minor in Community Action and Social Change. On campus I serve as a Photojournalist for The Michigan Daily Newspaper, Staff Photographer for WCBN Radio Ann Arbor, Manager of Member Development for Alpha Phi Sorority, Webmaster/Social Media Coordinator for What the F Magazine, and Shei Magazine (one of the nations largest student run fashion publications).

From a very young age I felt extremely drawn to art in nearly every form, but had a particular knack for photography. I would beg my parents to buy me a disposable camera at every trip to the grocery store until I received my first digital camera at 9 years old, the Canon Powershot 600. My love for photo fused with travel and intercultural studies when I my parents took me on a summer trip to Ethiopia, an African country booming with natural aesthetic beauty. From that summer on, I was certain of a few things about myself-I wanted to capture moments in time on film, be an explorer, and recreate the allure of the world as I saw it.

Today, I still find myself passionate about many of things I was passionate about in my childhood-photography, art, exploration, and consuming as much candy as humanly possible. But I've discovered my heart expanding towards other mediums of expression as I carve through my young adult life. Living in Paris for the past 6 months and Florence 2 years ago sparked an immense longing to become part of the fashion world – an artistic playground that dazzled and shocked me in a way different than photographs did. Whether I was photographing runways, street style, or various events, the fashion industry had me captivated.
As of right now, I'm just continuing to explore different avenues of expression and being as open as I can to new possibilities.