Today, I arrived in Pittsburgh along with my group members to prepare for our departure. I am so excited to embark on this adventure to South Korea. I am looking forward to developing both personally and professionally. Additionally, I hope to gain relevant global experience by immersing myself in the diverse culture that awaits abroad.

As I prepare for the long plane ride, I can’t help but feel optimistic about the various site visits that we will be conducting. Our itinerary is packed with both cultural experiences and professional development events. I am particularly excited about the upcoming cooking class that our group will be attending. Growing up in a half-Korean household has fostered within me a love for Korean cuisine that I hope to further develop through the cooking class. I am excited to further my knowledge of local ingredients and the cultural significance of various cooking practices. I can’t wait to bring home new techniques and recipes that I can share with my family.

Aside from the rich cultural experiences that I will soon experience, I am also looking forward to learning more about Korean technology and engineering applications. Our Plus3 group is scheduled to visit Yonsei University, one of the top private universities in Korea. At Yonsei, I will have the opportunity to take a tour guided by esteemed engineering faculty, learn about lab research conducted on campus, and meet with biotech students to discuss their studies. I am so excited to learn not only about biotech research, but also learn more about Korean education.

Within the next twelve hours, I will be on a plane to my mother’s homeland, engaging in rich academic and personal development. I am incredibly fortunate to be sharing this experience with many of my fellow peers in engineering, as well as our committed program directors. I can’t wait for take off!