Hi! I’m Ali Beddall and I am a freshman in Pitt Business, looking to major in marketing + something else that I’m not quite of sure of yet. I am from a small town in Central PA on the Susquehanna River called Selinsgrove, which is about 40 minutes north of Harrisburg. At Pitt, I am a member of the American Marketing Association in the public relations committee, as well the social sorority Kappa Delta, where I am on the Philanthropy team. Outside of Pitt, I love watching/playing sports (Go Yankees!), reading, and spending time with my family/friends. I hope to pursue a Master’s degree following graduation, and my dream is to work in sports (in really any capacity), most likely in marketing/PR.

I am incredibly excited to be heading to Cyprus this May and learn about Supply Chain Management first-hand. I believe that this program will not only teach me important cultural lessons, it will also give me insight on global industry which I am very interested in, and may even pursue post-grad. I am very passionate about travel, and PLUS3 is such a valuable way for me to make new friends, learn about myself and the world, and even make career connections! I believe it is so important to expand horizons and push out of comfort zones, because that is the only way to grow, especially coming from a small farm town where everyone knows each other. Going across the world with people who are practically strangers in the beginning seems incredibly daunting, but I know I will learn things about myself and come out better on the other side, hopefully with some new lifelong friends. Initially, I was drawn to Cyprus because I fell in love with the stories and photos my third grade student teacher, Miss Connelly, brought back from her study abroad there. I really looked up to her and was fascinated by her experience. I know that seems like a very minuscule moment, but as soon as I discovered that not only Cyprus was an option for this program, but it also fit into my potential career path, it felt serendipitous in a way and certainly very full-circle. I am grateful for the opportunities the University of Pittsburgh has to offer students like me, because without the study abroad options, I am not sure I would be able to even fathom going to any of these locations offered in the Plus3 program, let alone a small island country such as Cyprus!