Hi! My name is Leah Ambrosine. I am from West Chester, Pennsylvania. I am a Business student majoring in Marketing and Psychology with a Minor in Economics. I am also in the Frederick Honors College, along with Women in Business, American Marketing Association, and Steel City Startups. I am the second oldest of four sisters, one older and two younger. I currently work on campus at El Jefe’s and at a restaurant in my hometown called Stove and Tap. I really enjoy attending concerts, my favorite one being the Weeknd, going on walks/working out, and trying new food.

I chose to attend Plus3 Ecuador because I am especially intrigued to learn about the supply chain for chocolate. I worked at a chocolate shop called Kilwins for 3 years in high school and learned a lot about chocolate, how to temper it, and what it looks like when it blooms (a dull, grayish-white haze or streaks on its surface, caused by cocoa butter because of temperature swings, humidity, or poor tempering). Seeing where the cocoa bean comes from and how it is turned into chocolate (from bean to bar) will be an incredible experience, and I can not wait!

I am also excited by the opportunity to canoe on the Amazon River. I did something similar during my sophomore summer of high school, though an Outward Bound program in Philly, where I spent a week canoeing on the Delaware River. Canoeing for hours on the Amazon River sounds like such a cool experience. The culture, food, and environment of Ecuador also really intrigue me, and I can not wait to learn more about it firsthand. Improving on my Spanish skills will also be a challenge I am ready to accept!

This Trip is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and with about 25 days left until departure, I am eagerly counting down the days!