Hello! I’m Sarah Dapper and I am a freshman in the College of Business Administration. My intended majors as of now are marketing and psychology. There is a possibility that I pursue a minor in economics as well but this may change as I discover what I enjoy with some more classes. I am also a part of Women in Business as well as the Pitt Ski and Snowboarding Club. In terms of future clubs, I plan on joining the Sports Business Association next semester because I would like to work with an outdoor sports company after graduation. Other than academics, you can often find me exploring the city on a run or hiking through nearby parks. My hometown of Emmaus, PA shaped my interest in outdoor activities because there are many popular mountains nearby that offer hiking in warm seasons and blow snow for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Coming to school in Pittsburgh not only put me closer to my favorite sports teams, but allowed me to grow both socially and academically with the opportunities that the university and the city itself offers.
Plus3 provided me with the opportunity to broaden my thinking personally as well as in terms of education. Of the many destination options, Vietnam especially caught my attention because it is a country that I never would have thought to visit. I’m eager to experience Vietnam’s culture and how it differs from our own norms in the US. I can’t wait to spend time with the Vietnamese students and see aspects of the city that I may not have found or tried otherwise. Trying new exotic foods and finding hidden parts of the city are just two ways we will be able to build a strong friendship with our Vietnamese peers. Being able to experience and compare cultures with peers is not an opportunity that most people get and, in my opinion, it will be the most memorable part of this trip.
The country’s growing global attention allows the program’s focus to be on developing businesses and globalization. There is much potential for business in Vietnam to thrive which would then help the country develop into an important global player. Since Vietnam has a rapidly growing economy and very attractive industries, it will be interesting to learn about the different strategies companies use to grow and continue to be successful despite global competition. The most important thing I would like to gain from this trip abroad is experience with real companies. I intend to try to expand my knowledge on how companies of differing industries grow and survive in a highly competitive and growing environment. This is an experience that will continue to help me grow professionally and academically long after we arrive back home. Not only will I have more knowledge on Vietnam’s as well as the global economy, but I am able to practice and expand on the soft skills needed for global business. This, in turn, will help me in many future career related events.
The many hours of travel will be so worth it! What a way to kick off the summer!