Hey everyone! My name is Emily and I am from Franklin, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour and a half north from Pittsburgh. I am about three weeks from completing my first year here at Pitt, where I’m currently studying Marketing and Global Management. I am absolutely thrilled to have been selected for Plus3 Ecuador and can’t wait to share the stories of my trip with you!

Outside of school I really enjoy reading, going to the gym, painting, listening to music, and just being outdoors. I am someone who loves hiking, exploring new places, and learning through hands on experiences, so the opportunity to go to a place like Ecuador is something I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time. I’ve always loved to travel, and this will be my first time traveling outside of the United States, which makes this experience even more exciting!

I chose Plus3 Ecuador because it seemed like the perfect first trip abroad. It’s full of culture, history, and activities that really stood out to me. I’m excited to grow personally and professionally by experiencing a completely new environment and gaining confidence by navigating unfamiliar situations. I’m really looking forward to hiking through the Amazon, learning how chocolate is produced and marketed, and exploring everything Ecuador has to offer.

I’m really hoping this trip helps me grow in a lot of different ways. Since it’s my first time traveling outside of the US, I want to get more comfortable being in a new environment and figuring things out on my own. I also want to build more confidence professionally by seeing how manufacturers operate in a totally different culture and by getting real experience working across different languages and perspectives (while hopefully brushing up on my Spanish skills). Overall, I just want to come back with a better understanding of the world and memories that will last a lifetime!