Ni Hao! My name is Jacob Hanzlik and I am a Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Major currently switching out of the Swanson school of engineering. I am from Leechburg Pennsylvania, about a thirty minute drive from Pittsburgh, and I am incredibly excited to study abroad in China!
In Leechburg, I graduated from Kiski Area High School where I was involved in numerous activities. The most influential activities to me were our music program and track and field. Through my five years in the Kiski Area music program, I performed in the marching band, percussion ensemble, jazz band, and wind ensemble. Four of those five years, I held leadership positions in marching band and percussion ensemble. As well as band, athletics have also molded who I am today. In my school’s track and field team, I was involved in the throwing events where I threw javelin and discus. This helped me mold my work ethic and develop a strong basis for teamwork through my hard work and dedication to improvement.
At the University of Pittsburgh, I have continued to pursue my passion for mathematics and coding through my first year at the Swanson School of Engineering. Although I am switching out of the engineering school, I have had a wonderful experience and this experience has allowed me to test the waters of my preferred subjects and meet many friends. The Swanson school has also exposed me to the research which I am involved in at the Imed Lab in Schenely place. In my research, I am responsible for tracing barium swallows and doing minor coding to help the production of artificial intelligence made to detect swallowing disorders. As well as research and academics, I am also involved in Pitt’s eSports team.
Ever since I was a child I was taking apart everything I could get my hands on and figuring out ways to put them back together and to this day I am still the same way, I have even built my own computer. My passion for technology is the main reason I chose the China Plus3 program. I am particularly interested in smartphones and the coding and hardware that goes into them so experiencing this first hand will be a dream come true to me. Specifically, with recently being informed that we will be traveling to Huawei I am insanely excited about studying abroad in China.
I have traveled internationally a few times in my life including Mexico, the Grand Caymans, Canada, Nassau, and Jamaica. All of these experiences were life-changing and the ability to see different cultures and have a taste of a different way of life was amazing but nothing I have done will be like traveling to China. China will have a completely different atmosphere than anywhere I have traveled in the past and I am extremely excited to try a new cuisine, experience new culture, and see many new sights. I am looking forward to studying in China and sharing my experiences as time goes on!