In these next two weeks I have the pressure of finals week, the hassle of moving out of my dorm, and the stress of deciding what I should spend my remaining dining dollars on. However, my excitement for this Plus 3 program has not decreased in the slightest. Although the 14-hour flight may damper it just a little bit.

Hey y’all! I’m Jasmine Cadavez, and I’m a freshman in the College of Business Administration. I plan to graduate early with a major in Finance, minor in Economics, and a Certificate in Business Analytics. I don’t know exactly which career path I want to get into, but I have more than enough time to think about it. I’m from the suburbs of Chicago, and although I’ve lived in Illinois my entire life, Pittsburgh has quickly become my second home. Whether it be studying for classes together or frequenting Fuku Tea, I love hanging out with the great friends I’ve made here, and I am looking forward to making new friends on this program.

I have chosen South Korea as my Plus3 destination. I am anticipating the various cultural and company visits we have in store during our two weeks in May. This specific program appealed to me for two particular reasons: Korea and Smart Systems. 

South Korea is a beautiful and admirable country, whether it be due to their rich history or determination to become a growing and globally recognized economy. Many aspects of their culture interest me, such as the respect inherent in the hierarchal nature of their society or the ambition that pushes Koreans to work hard and efficiently. Additionally, I am also amazed with their entertainment industry. I listen to all genres of music – everything from the 80’s to R&B to Kpop – and the Korean music industry is especially vibrant. Behind their colorful, bright music groups usually exists hours of repetitive, intense training, as well as budgets that aim to create unconventional music videos that capture people’s attention. The fashion and skincare industry have used the popularity of music groups to advertise and boost themselves as well, and this bright youthful glow of Korea makes it an even more attractive place to visit.

The focus of this program is also why I chose it: smart systems. Technology is a driving force in the world today, making things quicker and more efficient. Data has become a huge competitive advantage, on both a large and small-scale. Both countries and companies are increasingly recognizing the dramatic shift to e-commerce and online platforms, leaving those that cannot acquire the resources to keep up with technological advances in the dust. Smart systems have the ability to track and collect information, growing the expanse of data for companies and allowing firms to make products that are more tailored and customized to consumers. However, there are many challenges that lay with these interesting pieces of technology. The engineering of these devices is truly an investment, in order to ensure the safety of the consumer and the functionality of the product. There is also the concern about how collecting our data interferes with our privacy, and this concern is being an increasingly voiced issue as the topic of AI and big data become more prominent. Because I am pursuing a Certificate in Business Analytics, I think it will be a great experience to take a deeper look into how companies use smart systems to their advantage, as well as the differences between the business models or approaches that American and Korean companies take. 

This program is a perfect study abroad opportunity for me, and I am thankful to those who have coordinated it, as well as my parents for their support. There are so many things South Korea has to offer, and I will be sure to make the most of my two weeks there. The 14-hour flight will be quite long, but it will definitely be worth it!