Hello, my name is Elissa Wilton! I am a freshman in the Swanson School of Engineering studying computer engineering, and I am extremely fortunate and excited to have the opportunity to participate in the two-week study abroad experience that is Plus3 Korea!
When asked where I am from, I am one of those people who give the seemingly extraordinarily common response at the University of Pittsburgh of “outside of Philadelphia,” more specifically, I am from Chester County. Outside of taking classes at college, I participate in Students, Engineers, and Mathematicians for Service, where I help create and present science and math related presentations for younger students. I am also involved in the school’s Robotics and Automation Society and the Panther CrossFit Club.
As I grew up and moved through grade school, I noticed a particular fondness for science and math in myself, so going to college for engineering seemed like a natural progression and is something that I have been planning on doing since middle school. It wasn’t until junior year of high school, however, that I discovered computer science in an introductory coding class. This led me to take a more advanced programming course where I realized that computer science was something I loved and did not want to give up, which is how I found and decided to study computer engineering. I am truly excited to be getting involved in this field because I am fascinated by everything about computers, from how they can be programmed down to their inner workings.
My curiosity about computers and technology is part of the reason I am eager to be learning about smart systems while we are in South Korea, especially to see how they are contributing to both the lives of individuals in Korea as well as larger institutions and the country as a whole. With visits to places like Busan New Container Terminal and Hyundai Heavy Industries, I hope to gain an understanding of how different companies are utilizing smart systems, how smart systems have changed the way these companies operate, and what impact these changes have had on the South Korean economy.
Another reason I am so excited to be traveling to Korea is because I have only been outside of the country twice, once on a trip to Spain and once to England. I am intrigued by and enthusiastic to see the similarities and differences between the culture I am used to here in the United States, what I have briefly experienced in western Europe and the culture I will be immersed in while we are in Korea. We are visiting the Royal Palace, the demilitarized zone, and Gyeongju City among other places, and I am looking forward to learning about the history and culture of Korea at each of these locations. I am also curious to compare the history we will learn about with the modern cities and advanced technology and I hope to gain a more nuanced appreciation for what aspects of Korean culture have changed and what has remained through both time and rapid economic growth.
From learning about smart systems to experiencing South Korean culture, I am extremely excited for this adventure and I cannot wait to get there!