Hello!
My name is Piper Toto and I’m a junior at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in French. I am currently the Vice President of the Women’s Club Volleyball team at Pitt, and am excited to take on the role of President next semester! I am also a part of the hydroponics club. In my free time I am usually playing spike ball in Schenley Plaza, making some music in the Swanson music engineering lab, or on a walk with my puppy!
In about a month I will be traveling to Prague, Czech Republic on a two-week program to study engineering practices in Eastern Europe. Last May I had the opportunity to spend four months in Florence, Italy for an engineering program, and the experience was so amazing I wanted to take advantage of the Swanson global programs again! I chose Prague for my trip because I love Europe and its history, and they way the complex past is still seen in the cultures and infrastructure today. The Czech Republic is a relatively new country and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to learn how the country has grown and competed with other major countries, especially in the field of engineering.
During my time abroad, I hope to grow personally, academically, and professionally. While things like navigating a city and figuring out how to buy groceries seem trivial, they are experiences that will teach me independence and responsibility. I’m excited to visit different companies and learn how engineering practices may differ from what I have learned in the United States. Meeting professionals, making international connections, and gaining new engineering perspectives will greatly expand my knowledge of engineering in general, and allow me to see what future careers may be possible in this field.
I can’t wait for this experience and I’m excited for the chance to share all my adventures in my blog!