Ross Takes: From Sunburns To Snow Boots — A Warm-Weather Native’s Winter Awakening

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d willingly spend two winters in Michigan, I would have laughed. After all, I grew up in one of the sunniest places on Earth (I encourage you to Google “sunniest place on Earth”), where winter coats are optional and cacti and palm trees thrive. Growing up, snow was something you’d purposefully drive to, not something that finds its way into your boots or sticking to your hair on your walk to class. And yet, here I am, in my second Michigan winter…making it work!

When talking to prospective and admitted students, I get the same questions: How bad is the winter? Is it really that cold? Will I survive? The honest answer is yes, it’s cold (well, frigid—like what’s a polar vortex and why do humans live where they exist?). However, there’s so much more to winter at the Ross School than just braving the elements. In some ways, winter forces a shift in pace—a welcome contrast to the whirlwind of fall. The football-filled weekends and jam-packed social calendars give way (slightly) to a season where I can refocus, hunker down, and (for the first time in months) actually have some agency in how I spend my weekends.

That doesn’t mean winter is all rest and hibernation. It’s just a different kind of energy—one that makes space for deeper conversations and, of course, plenty of indoor fun.

FINDING WARMTH IN COMMUNITY

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at Ross is attending the Journey of Generosity (JOG) retreat that the MBA Christian Fellowship (MCF) hosts alongside Generous Giving. I first attended the event last year, excited but not really knowing what to expect. I assumed it would maybe be a discussion on how to give back once we’re making more money post-MBA. I had some mixed feelings going into the retreat. On one hand, I felt some trepidation since money can feel like such a taboo topic. On the other hand, I was excited to broach the topic of money and generosity with my MBA peers. What I experienced was something much deeper. The retreat created space for open and honest conversations about generosity—not just in terms of money but in how we give of ourselves, our time, and our talents.

Over the course of approximately 8 hours, a group of 15 MBA students and partners cozied up in sweatpants and Michigan sweatshirts to reflect and share our own experiences with generosity. Some people expressed fear of giving away resources considering their business school debt. Some expressed that they very easily spent money on material things like clothes or shoes and recognized there was an opportunity to shift some of that spending to giving. Another, who founded a business, deeply reflected on having generosity embedded into their culture; however, they were unsure how to “convince” business partners to align with that vision. Every person is on their own unique journey and it felt freeing to be vulnerable regarding something that many consider taboo.

Dispersed throughout the retreat, we were given moments to sit in silence, reflect, and journal. In one of those moments, I went outside the warmth of the home to sit by the semi-frozen lake. I was fortunate that the sun decided to beam its rays down on me, a feeling I now do not take for granted. Time appeared to slow down. It was serene, peaceful, and quiet—a welcome change of pace from a busy school week. I had the space to think and upon reflection, my peers and I came up with some actionable ways to be more generous. Before starting business school, I had been more consistent with giving resources to causes I cared about. Without an income during school, that understandably slowed down and came to a halt. Moving forward, I wanted to practice giving again—even small amounts. In addition, I wanted to start practicing gratitude more as another way to increase my generosity to others.

The path forward looked different for everyone. It was inspiring to hear the conviction my peers had. One question that we wrestled with is whether more income, resources, and finances was used to “raise our standard of living or raise our standard of giving.” Higher spending power can provide more opportunities to be generous, but it can also mean a bigger house, newer car, or more travel. There is no “right or wrong” answer here; each person needs to determine how they want to spend their resources. Personally, I would love to see more MBAs (hopeful, current, and alum) think about the impact they can make by being even 1% more generous.

BRINGING THE HEAT WITH LATIN BEATS & HOMEMADE EATS

While the cold keeps us indoors more often, that hasn’t stopped me from staying active in ways I hadn’t before. Through the Hispanic Business Students Association (HBSA), I’ve been able to reconnect with two things I love—dance and food.

We recently hosted what appears to be our marquee event: “Cultura Cocktail Night.” At this event, we had cocktails and mocktails that represented different Latino cultures, as well as chips, salsa, guac, and, of course, music (new Bad Bunny album, anyone?). Attendees were given a “passport booklet” with the menu of drinks and their origin countries. When you got your drink, you were given a country stamp ranging from Colombia’s Refajo to Peru’s Chilcano to Mexico’s Agua de Jamaica. While the event itself was a huge success, I was more excited that the first-year HBSA students took complete ownership and planned and hosted an incredible event. I’m looking forward to what they do next year!

A couple weeks later, we hosted a bachata class on Valentine’s weekend. Nothing beats watching a group of MBAs go from hesitant steps to full-on spins by the end of the night. Despite getting more snow than expected that day, we had a full room of people who traversed the inches-upon-inches of snow to learn their   and spins. Dance is a great way to bring people together, share culture, and (let’s be honest) stay warm. Next time, we plan to go dancing in Ann Arbor right after class (yes, there’s actually a Latin night where we can put our learnings to the test).

Beyond these club events, some of the nights I’m most looking forward to this winter are simple: cooking dinner with friends and (intense) Just Dance battles in our living rooms. There’s something comforting about sharing a homemade meal after a long week, debating whether I should try a new recipe or just stick to something I know we like. For the record, Just Dance is not just a game—it’s a test of endurance, coordination, and (depending on the song) humility.

THE AI WINTER (LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY)

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that some of the most technical classes at Ross happen in winter. Last year, I took AI for Business at 8 am—a time I would not recommend to anyone unaccustomed to subzero mornings. This year, I’m taking Empowering Decision Making with Generative AI. While the start time (9 a.m.) is slightly more forgiving, the content is just as pertinent.

AI has become an increasingly dominant conversation in business (and life), and being able to take these classes at Ross has been eye-opening. Beyond just understanding how the technology works, we’re diving into the ethical implications, the biases embedded in AI models, and the ways businesses can harness AI responsibly. Given my interest in strategy and entrepreneurship, these discussions feel particularly relevant since more-and-more organizations are integrating AI solutions. Implementing AI is not always necessary, which means we need to think critically about the problem that’s being solved and whether AI is the best solution.

In AI for Business, we discussed a myriad of topics, from ethics and regulation to waste and energy consumption. Those who do not deep dive into the behind-the-scenes aspects of AI are often surprised to hear how much energy and resources it uses. For example, significant amounts of water are used to cool the processing units in data centers. We are starting to see public backlash, such as Uruguayans who protested a new data center being built in their country. I could sense some internal conflict as my classmates processed the negative impacts of AI and its increasing prevalence in our everyday lives. What role do we play in this? Professor Kumar probed us to research and think about the regulatory efforts around the world and how that might mitigate some of the negative effects. The EU, for example, has taken a stronger-handed approach to regulation, with a big emphasis on privacy. We are now starting to see the US come up with the AI Bill of Rights, which was not the case a year ago.

These discussions have prompted me to think more critically about AI’s role moving forward. We are so far removed from many of the negative implications, but I believe it’s our responsibility as business leaders to inform ourselves and make ethical decisions. They’re also a stark reminder that while AI can be incredibly powerful, it’s still only as good as the humans who design and deploy it.

Left: Remy staying active in his maize winter puffe. Right: Luna perfecting the layers.

WINTER IS HERE: SURVIVAL 101

Of course, I can’t write about winter without addressing the practical side of things. Before moving here, I had never owned a real winter coat. Now, I have an entire arsenal of winter survival gear: hand warmers, wool socks that could double as insulation, and boots that could probably withstand a trek through the Arctic. I’ve also learned the fine art of layering; while classrooms are heated, walking there is another story. Not only do you need to find the right layers and ventilation so that you’re not freezing or sweating, but you also need to learn a new walking gait to not slip and either hurt or embarrass yourself (or both). As you can tell, I’ve learned a lot from trial and (especially) error.

One of the unexpected joys of winter? Walking dogs—or seeing them—in their winter coats. I find it quite amusing that these dogs have more intense gear than any of my family back home in Arizona. I don’t have a dog of my own here, but I’ve walked my friends’ bundled-up pups and often request photo footage of them outdoors. There’s something about seeing a dog in a puffer jacket that makes the cold feel a little less brutal.

SPRING FORWARD

As winter slowly starts to give way to spring, I’m reminded of how much I’ve come to appreciate this season. It’s not just something to endure; it’s a time to slow down, refocus, and embrace the unique experiences that come with it. That being said, I still plan to escape to somewhere warm for spring break because, well, you need balance.

For those considering Ross, don’t let the winter scare you. Yes, it’s cold, but it’s also an opportunity—to connect, to explore, and to experience Michigan in a way that makes you appreciate every season (even if you’re counting down the days until summer). Remember when I said I grew up in the sunniest place on earth? If I can endure, so can you.

Michigan truly offers all four seasons, and winter brings its own set of unique outdoor experiences. While I unfortunately couldn’t hit the slopes due to conflicts, many of my classmates took part in “Shreducation,” a ski and snowboard lesson designed for beginners. This year, our Ross hockey team had an epic win over the Law School, with a final score of 10-1. And, in a moment that felt straight out of a winter survival documentary (at least to this Arizona native), I walked on a frozen lake for the first time during the JOG retreat. It was both exhilarating and slightly nerve-wracking, but I can now say I’ve fully embraced the Michigan winter experience—layers and all.

Bio: Born and raised in a sunny Arizona border town, Brianna graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After undergrad, she worked at Nike in several footwear product creation roles.

At Ross, Brianna serves on the boards of First at Ross, MBA Christian Fellowship (MCF), and Hispanic Business Students Association (HBSA). She is also involved in Business+Impact and Zell Lurie Institute (ZLI) for Entrepreneurial Studies programming and a TA for Andy Hoffman’s year-long Management as a Calling course.