Today was the final day of the Plus3 Korea trip. This trip has broadened my horizons exponentially, and my time in Seoul has truly been unforgettable. From the knowledge, to the memories and connections, Plus3 Korea has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. 

As a final group excursion, we rode a cruise along the Han River in the heart of Seoul. As we traveled along the route, we enjoyed a last glimpse of the city. The blend between natural and man made beauty was breathtaking. While on our tour, we bought dried anchovies to feed flocks of seagulls swarming the boat. While our final outing was fun, it left me feeling sad that we were leaving so soon. 

This trip has enhanced my understanding of smart systems and how technology has the power to interact with society. Throughout our tours, I observed the use of smart systems and engineering in Korean culture to enhance daily life. For example, the use of hands free entry through facial recognition was quite common in areas of high priority. During our TK Elevator and Hyundai Motors tours, this entry system enabled users to maintain workflow without interruption. 

While I appreciated both the business and development aspects of our company visits, Korean engineering stood out to me in particular. The city of Seoul was built with various sustainable infrastructure systems. While walking to Insadong market, I noticed several storm water drainage systems built into the sidewalks. Further, most buildings contained escalators and lighting systems that were motion activated contributing to lower energy consumption.  

In addition to developing my engineering skills and knowledge, my time in Korea has allowed me to develop meaningful connections with my peers. My group members all made the effort to collaborate in both personal and professional settings, and I hope that the relationships I developed during Plus3 will persist in the future.