Hi everyone! My name is Riya Shah and I am beyond excited to be a part of Plus3 Ecuador. I grew up in Central Jersey (yes, it exists), about 45 minutes south of New York City. I’m so thankful I came to the College of Business Administration here at the University of Pittsburgh. As my freshman year wraps up, I’m thinking of pursuing either a Finance or Accounting major. I definitely want to add on a certificate, but I’m not 100% sure which one yet. This semester, I pledged Delta Sigma Pi, and I can’t wait for all the opportunities that come with it.

A little but about me on a personal level is I absolutely love music, being outdoors, and travelling. Whether it’s listening, playing, or going to a concert, music is one of my favorite things in the world. FLETCHER is my favorite artist and I’ve seen her perform 6 times (if you don’t know her, I strongly encourage you to listen)! Also, growing up, I was lucky to be able to travel out of the country often with my family. I love exploring new places, which is another reason I can’t wait to go to Ecuador.

There are so many reasons I wanted to do Plus3 Ecuador over any other country. First, is the country itself. The culture and biodiversity in Ecuador is amazing (and of course chocolate and flowers!). I grew up learning Spanish and really immersed myself into that culture, so I’m excited to really apply that knowledge. Nature in Ecuador is breathtaking as well. There will be so much to learn and explore. On a personal level, building better teamwork and collaboration skills are going to be super important. We are in an unfamiliar place, so it’s super important we’re there for each other and know how to communicate with one another efficiently. Academically, learning about the supply chain of chocolate and roses is incredible. I see chocolate on grocery store shelves, but what is the process behind it? Getting the hands-on experience will truly be life-changing. Professionally, I’m excited to talk to the industry workers and get to know them and their business.

There is so much to look forward to! Counting down the days until we leave for Ecuador!