Hello and welcome to my Plus3 Cyprus blog!
My name is Dalia Chemaitilly, and I am a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. I am majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in economics because of my interest in design and development, especially when it comes to building a more sustainable future. I am specifically interested in a career in renewable energy. I enjoy gardening, playing the guitar, and watching movies. I am part of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team (High Voltage), and the Middle Eastern and North African Student Association (MENASA).
Growing up as a first-generation American whose family is French and Lebanese, I have learned to appreciate my international background. From listening to a mixture of English, French, and Arabic at family gatherings to cooking traditional Lebanese dishes with my grandmother, I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge of the world. This motivated me to pursue the Plus3 Program. Because Lebanon is located near Cyprus, I am curious to learn about the ways in which Cypriot culture is similar and dissimilar to Lebanese culture. I am excited to immerse myself in Cypriot culture through food, site-seeing, and spending time with the local community.
As an engineer, I must have a holistic perspective of the world because it improves my ability to problem-solve and my awareness of the global impact of technological innovation. The Plus3 Program emphasizes the importance of collaboration between engineering and business students because, together, we will explore supply chain management (a prime intersection of engineering and business). I look forward to learning about the interconnected nature of the world especially since the internet has expedited globalization, allowing corporations to expand across international borders more seamlessly. I hope to build meaningful relationships with engineers in the field and with fellow students both from the U.S. and abroad. Therefore, by traveling to Cyprus through Plus3, I will not only experience a new culture but also grow professionally and academically.
Since I’ve moved around a lot and I have extended family that live abroad, it can be challenging to stay in touch with everyone. However, I found that sending postcards is an amusing solution! I love collecting postcards because they encourage people to share their adventures no matter where they are. I think the most unique postcard I own is from Antarctica. So, you can probably guess what my first souvenir from Cyprus will be…