Hey everyone, welcome to my blog. On this page, I’ll be documenting two weeks of exciting adventures in the vibrant nation of South Korea. I’ll talk more about that in a minute, but first, I’ll start by introducing myself. My name is John Kerris, and I am a first-year student in Pitt’s College of Business Administration, majoring in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Economics and a certificate in Business Analytics. I grew up in the coal region of central PA, where I went to a small Catholic school (my graduating class was 34 students) and was raised in a family with two younger siblings and a cat, Guinness. My main interests include sports (playing and watching), music (mainly hip-hop), and stock trading. Here at Pitt, I’m an analyst in the Socially Responsible Investment Portfolio, co-host a weekly sports talk show on our very own WPTS Radio, and am a brother in the Phi Gamma Nu Professional Business Fraternity. Professionally, I just completed my first internship, a spring semester position with the Carnegie Mellon University-based private equity firm Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs, which was an enriching experience from start to finish.

When I was applying for this experience, South Korea jumped out at me as an ideal destination for a number of reasons. First of all, the main theme of our trip is Smart Systems, a technologically-advanced concept I have been interested in for a number of years and that will inevitably change the world over the next decade or two. Secondly, my mom is from London, so I’ve been to Europe numerous times, but never to Asia. As a result, this trip will take me out of my comfort zone and allow me to experience countless new things from food, to clothing, customs, and more. Finally, Korea is a destination new to Plus 3 this year, so I’m very excited to experience something no Pitt student has before and act as somewhat of a “guinea pig” for the program.

There are many things that I look forward to getting out of this trip. What really drew me to this program in general was how it combines cultural, professional, and social events all into one two-week experience. On the cultural side, some of the things I can’t wait to see include the infamous DMZ, the palaces and other beautiful attractions, and the legendary street markets. Professionally, I’m eager to visit industrial powerhouses like Reebok and Hyundai, as well as see firsthand how revolutionary smart systems keep bustling cities running as efficiently as possible. Finally, I eagerly anticipate making new friends, both in my cohort from Pitt, as well as Korean students at the universities we plan to visit.

Thanks to the meticulous planning of our excellent Study Abroad office, I know exactly where this trip will take me physically. However, what I don’t know, and am excited to find out, is where this experience will take me intellectually, emotionally, and philosophically. T-minus fifteen days until I begin to find out!