Hello! My name is Emily Molitoris, and I am very excited for my upcoming study abroad experience in South Korea. But first, I must finish up my first year at the University of Pittsburgh in the Swanson School of Engineering. I plan to major in bioengineering on the cellular track with at least a minor in chemistry. Along the path to this objective, I would also like to take advantage of the career experience that Pitt offers such as research. I have already conducted antibiotic discovery research in a credit laboratory this semester, and I am looking forward to research on topics that are more bioengineering related such as stem cells or tissue engineering. Post graduation, I will either enter the industry field or continue with research depending on my undergrad experiences.

I grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with three older sisters and many cats. I have always been interested in different cultures, art, and history as I was a member of the Thai, French, and Latin clubs in high school as well as Girl Child Network, an organization aimed at helping young girls receive education in underdeveloped nations. Additionally, I am very familiar with the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History which I have visited countless times (even more now that my student ID gets me in free). I also enjoy observing nature and often go on peaceful walks through hiking trails and parks. As for my go-to form of entertainment, I can say with no shame that I would rather sit down to a documentary about ancient civilizations and the birth of humanity than watch Netflix’s most recent and popular series.

This trip is extremely significant to me because I have never been out of the country before; I have only traveled up and down the east coast. I have lived in Pittsburgh my entire life, and now I even attend school here, so Pitt giving me the opportunity to travel abroad experience the world is important to me.

South Korea will be my first out of the country experience, and I could not be more thrilled. We will be visiting companies that employ “smart systems” into their industrial processes. Smart systems and predictive analysis can be applied seemingly anywhere, so I am excited to see how the technology being implemented can be used in bioengineering. I also have an interest in South Korean culture. When I’m not watching a documentary, I could take a break for a k-drama (a short Korean television series) which are highly entertaining. Of the Korean restaurants I have been to, I have always loved the food, and I am excited to try the food, ranging from a high-class restaurant to the street food. I am anticipating the cultural visits the most: the historical royal palace, temples, and DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)– all places of cultural and historical significance that would excite any history buff such as myself. Upon completion of the trip, I hope to have gained a new global perspective and networking skills so to build up to a successful career.

This will be an unforgettable experience, and I wish for the next two weeks until departure to go as quickly as possible. See you next time in Korea! 안녕! (Bye!)