Welcome to my first blog post! My name is Jana Mosko, and I am a first year mechanical engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. I chose my major because I love designing and building things, and learning how things work. Professionally I hope to work with mechanics and computers as an engineer in the future, and mechanical engineering is the perfect fit for my goals. I also look forward to the senior year design project.

Outside of school, I’m part of WPTS radio engineering team, Pitt Hydroponics, and the rock climbing club on campus. In my free time I like to sketch, read, and play video games.

This summer I will be traveling to Seoul in South Korea for two weeks for a three credit program, appropriately called the Plus3 program. I will be traveling in a group of 24 fellow first year students, half from the school of business and half from the school of engineering. While we are on the trip we will tour historical sites, Yeonsei University, and businesses related to the program’s theme of smart systems and algorithms. This will allow us to understand how smart systems can be implemented into modern life in both engineering and business contexts.

I chose the Plus3 program because I wanted to do a study abroad program in college, and two weeks in the summer was an accommodating time for me to go. I didn’t feel like waiting for a later program when this opportunity was available. I chose the Plus3 Korea trip specifically because I find smart systems fascinating, and being able to go to a city where they’ve been integrated into the infrastructure is amazing. Seoul itself is a vibrant place to visit on its own, and I can’t wait to explore the shopping and food there. I hope to gain both a deeper understanding of algorithms, how engineers conduct themselves in the professional settings, and finally enjoy the sights of a beautiful city.

This concludes my introductory blog post, and I will write again pre-departure. I give sincere thanks to the University of Pittsburgh and the staff who have organized this trip. I can’t wait to have this wonderful experience!