Howdy! My name is Katie Gallo. I’m a freshman business student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Supply Chain Management and Marketing, and I’ll be taking a two-week study abroad trip to Ecuador this May!
For a little bit about me, I have a lot of hobbies outside of the classroom. I love videography and photography as well as fun artistic things whenever I have time like collaging, painting, and drawing. I love learning about tech and business, and I read articles daily on entrepreneurship because that’s emerged in recent years as a strong passion of mine. And one of my favorite times of day is when I get to work out and zone out to music. I really enjoy running, boxing, HIIT workouts, and lifting.
Throughout my whole life, I’ve loved exploring other cultures, whether they’re in neighboring towns, on TV, on a different continent, or in the classroom. I’m so excited to be going to Ecuador soon to have the chance to explore a different culture in person, especially after a few years of restricted travel. I chose Plus3 Ecuador for a variety of reasons. Professionally, I was really interested in learning about the supply chains of chocolate and flowers, and the hands-on learning and experience sounded thrilling! Our trip group has been lucky enough to already begin learning about chocolate and flower production before leaving the US borders (including taste-testing!). Personally, I’ve never been to South America. There were other trips to European countries or areas I’ve had the chance to travel to/near in recent years. I was excited by the chance to explore a completely new culture and place while still in the comfort of fellow Pitt students and professors. I’ve spent the last seven years of my academic career learning French, so I’m even unfamiliar with the native language spoken in Ecuador. However, it all created the optimal opportunity for learning as much as possible in the time I’m given. I’ve learned basic Spanish and so much about the culture of Ecuador as a whole as well as the chocolate and flower industries, and we haven’t even left Pittsburgh yet!
I’m thrilled to have the chance to go on this trip through Pitt Business, and I can’t wait to step off the plane in Ecuador and begin my full immersion in the culture!
Catch you on the flip side (of the Equator)!!!
Katie