Hi guys! My name is Isabella Heft, but I mostly go by Bella. I am from Lebanon PA, which is about 1.5 hours from Philly and 4 hours from Pitt. I am a Supply Chain Major, and a first year here. Credit wise, however, I am actually a junior due to dual enrolling my senior year of high school. At home, I managed a small, breakfast diner and also worked as a manager of the kitchen of an exposition center in my area. I also work very frequently on a food truck and have bartended. It’s not glamorous by any means, but I do really enjoy the work. Most of my free time is spent with my cats, friends, finding new music, writing, or painting.

In May, I am so very excited to get to spend two weeks in Ecuador to study the chocolate and roses industries. My dad is a biology and ecology high school teacher, and my grandparents are avid bird watchers. I grew up learning about so many different species, many of which are birds. Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the entire world. I’m going to get to see all the birds I grew up learning about and listening to my grandparents rave over in real life. I’m excited to see all of the wildlife, but I am so grateful and excited that I’ll be able to take back my pictures and experience to my grandparents. I know that they won’t ever make the trip there, and so it’s super exciting for them to get to get a closer view of the ecosystems as well. That’s probably the top reason why Ecuador was so exciting to hear is my Plus3 location. I know that I am going to get to experience so much that I otherwise never could, and that I’ll be in an environment that excites me. I love being out in nature and seeing the world, and I think that this trip is going to be one of the best experiences of my life. I am so excited to make new connections and to be able to actually get a hands on look at the base of a very successful supply chain. I hope to be able to get some really insightful experiences in Ecuador that could potentially help me in my career path later down the road. As if I haven’t said it already, I’m so excited!!