Tonight I prepare for my departure to South Korea! As I reflect on my freshman year in college and the decisions that led me to this point, I think about my initial choice to apply for the Plus3 program back in the fall. Before we even arrive in Seoul I can already tell that participating in this program was the right decision. Between the new friends that I have already made, group bonding during our pre-departure dinner, and the excitement that I feel while waiting to leave, this experience has had an immense positive impact on my life so far.
As a business student, I am very excited for the site visits that have been planned. I am currently undecided but I also have an interest in smart systems in general, which fits perfectly with this trip as that is the focus for this trip. I am excited for the opportunity to develop professionally while abroad, and feel that getting insight from the companies and businesses in Korea will help me to succeed in my future years at Pitt. Additionally, as an adoptee from Korea, I am very invested in learning more about Korean culture, like the foods, clothing, and more. My hope is that throughout this trip, I am able to achieve all of my goals that I have. I want to visit a few cultural sites and learn more about Korean culture, try new foods, and again of course gain some insight into Korean companies when visiting them.
While preparing for the trip, I have some concerns and anxieties as well, but I feel that that is only natural as I am about to travel to another country. As excited as I am to try new foods, I am a little worried about the variety of foods that will be available to me as I am allergic to some fruits and can tend to be picky at times. I don’t necessarily eat seafood a lot, which I know is something that is very common in Korean culture. With this said, I believe that these are challenges that can definitely be overcome, and as long as I keep and open mind and push myself to try new things, I know that I will be okay. Small worries or obstacles will not define the whole trip, and I am sure that the experience as a whole will be something to remember!