Student Spotlight: Abby Schifman

Abby Schifman, KU Hillel Sophomore

Abby Schifman is a sophomore-aged freshman who is heavily involved in KU Hillel. Having two internships, Hillel helped her get involved on campus and adjust to college living. This interview discusses her journey to KU and the work she does as an Engagement and Strategic Intern for KU Hillel.

What did your journey to Hillel look like?
My sister went to KU and graduated in 2018, and she was super involved in Hillel. This is one of the main reasons why my siblings and I chose to come to KU for college.

What are your Hillel internships and what do you do for them?
I am a Strategic Intern and an Engagement Intern! In strategic, several other students and I meet with Suzy to help make our community the best it can be for students, and I engage the freshman class.

What’s it like to have siblings at KU?
I appreciate being able to see them more often and help them through they’re first year of college during a pandemic! 

Why did you take a gap year before freshman year and how was that?
After graduating high school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I took a year off to work full-time, and I traveled to Italy for a month. It was a really great opportunity to take time and think about what my next step would be, and that ended up being KU. 

How did you find your way around KU a year older than most of your class peers?Thankfully, during my freshman year I lived with a roommate who was a sophomore. He helped me navigate some things, especially because we were living off campus.

—Interview by Paul Samberg, KU Hillel Intern
Interview has been edited and condensed.