Hi! My name is Julia Brown. I am a freshman in the Swanson School of Engineering, majoring in materials science and engineering. I want to pursue graduate school and go into research after I complete my degree. I am from Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout high school and the years before, I trained extensively in ballet. In my free time, I like to watch sports, like Formula 1 and hockey. I also enjoy cooking and baking.

I chose to participate in this program because it is a very exciting opportunity for me on multiple fronts. I have always wanted to study abroad because I am very fascinated by the cultural diversity of the world. Ever since I first travelled outside the US as a kid, I have wanted to see more parts of the world and more ways of life. I have never been to Asia, so being able to visit Vietnam will really expand my horizons. Another factor that is and always has been very important to me is sustainability. When I was in elementary school, I convinced my whole family to forgo plastic water bottles to limit plastic waste. In my future career as an engineer, I want to continue to hold that importance in the decisions I make and the things I design. Part of understanding sustainability is understanding how it can function worldwide, and I look forward to learning more about how a developing country like Vietnam is implementing sustainable principles as they expand their economy. Overall, I am very excited by this chance to learn more about Vietnam!