Hey everyone! My name is Rohan Cherlakola, and I am from Mars, Pennsylvania. I was a first-year student in the College of Business Administration, doing a dual major in Supply Chain Management and Business Information Systems. This is a trip I am definitely looking forward to experiencing! In my freshman year, I have been involved with the business organization Phi Beta Lambda, or PBL, which is one of the top business organizations at Pitt. I attend ProDev events, go on site visits, and hang out with PBL members. I am also a podcaster at the CCPB business club. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and playing sports. This will be my first time heading down to a South American country, and I am very excited to go and experience Ecuador in all its glory!

I have chosen the Plus3 program in Ecuador because I am a supply chain major, and this program will go in-depth about supply chain for chocolate and roses, two of Ecuador’s biggest exports. Also, who doesn’t love some chocolate and roses, all while about my major, it just seemed like a no-brainer to go out for the Ecuador Plus3 program. I have always wanted to study abroad, but I thought that I would have to wait until Sophomore year. But when I heard about this Plus3 program that allowed freshmen like me to go abroad, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The locations we are visiting on this trip are definitely the best out of all the programs. Who can say they have visited the Amazon rainforest or the mountains of Ecuador? Overall, the Plus3 Ecuador program checks all the boxes for a great experience, both in terms of education and travel-wise, which made it the go-to option for me

I hope to personally grow and become more comfortable about travelling to new places that are not fit for tourists but for travellers. I have traveled abroad a lot, but not to remote locations like our lodge in the Amazon rainforest before. I hope to become more comfortable with trying new things and travelling in a group, where I want to strengthen my ability to settle into a group and help in all ways possible. I hope to academically grow with a deeper understanding of Supply Chain Management with first-hand experience that will be shown both in the chocolate and rose industries. I want to get immersed in the culture, really understand the situation in Ecuador, and be able to understand the local population in a whole new way.

I can’t wait to set off for Ecuador and experience a whole new world, and I am excited to share my journey with you via my blogs!