Hi, my name is Avery Yelle and I am a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in mechanical engineering. This spring, I am excited for the opportunity to take part in the Plus3 program where I will be traveling to South Korea. I grew up in South Windsor Connecticut, where I was an active member of the field hockey team, multiple honors societies and other community service clubs. I enjoy reading, traveling, designing and 3D printing, watching and playing sports.

Throughout my first year at Pitt, my desire to pursue a career in engineering grew as I delved deeper into my course work. I have enjoyed taking introductory engineering courses in addition to math and physics. Given the broad scope of mechanical engineering, this major equips me with the skills needed for many careers across different industries. As of right now, I am interested in exploring career opportunities in the Aerospace engineering field.

South Korea is known for its innovative and high quality technology and smart systems, which was one of the reasons why I chose to travel there. Learning more about smart systems will benefit me academically as mechanical engineers often work with a variety of different technologies and systems. While in South Korea I look forward to meeting with well known companies such as Samsung and visiting places rooted in Korean culture. I hope to try Korean street food and the popular dish Bibimbap. I trained in Taekwondo for many years and earned a black belt, which is why the activity I am most looking forward to is the Taekwondo lesson. Participating in this program will allow me to stand out when applying for future Co-op positions. Moreover, I am thrilled to be a part of this program and eager to experience all that South Korea has to offer.