Hello Plus 3, welcome to my blog! My name is Yugma Patel and I am from Hillsborough, NJ which is a suburban town in Central Jersey near Princeton. I am currently a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering and I’m majoring in bioengineering. At home, I have worked as a tutor at a nearby JEI Learning Center. I enjoy working with kids, and I used to volunteer in the maternity ward at the RWJ Barnabas hospital. I am currently on the board for Hindu Student Council and I am the High School Outreach chair for SWE. I love to paint and draw, and I especially enjoy working on murals like the ones I’ve painted on the walls of my high school hallways. I am also a huge fan of the outdoors but I hate all bugs and insects, which can be an issue sometimes. Especially when I travel, I like to go on hikes that lead to waterfalls and lakes. I also love to cook and bake all kinds of things, but my favorite is making mango cheesecake.

In May, I will be participating in the Plus3 Cyprus international program (as a part of the second Cyprus group). I have chosen this program both for the geographic location and the content of what we are learning. I am especially interested to learn about the emerging technologies, such as Blockchain, that Cyprus is known for. I am also eager to experience the rich culture that 12,000 years of history has to offer. Cyprus is unique in it’s division between the Greek and Turkish sides and I am fascinated to see how these cultures are integrated and meshed together within the country. 

I hope that this international experience will be one of a lifetime, one that enriches me personally, academically, and professionally. As I mentioned before, I am eager to experience the culture of this very unique island country. I love to travel and see new places that have rich historical significance because it helps me appreciate the different perspectives that life has to offer. Academically, I hope to learn about the intricacies of supply chain management, especially when it comes to ports and shipping at the crossroads of many industries. I also hope to build my professional skills through the various meetings and site visits we will be making.