Hello, my name is Madelyn Och and I will be a part of the Pitt Business Plus3 Program in Ecuador this May! I am from Cranberry Township, PA (30 mins north of Pitt) where I was born and raised loving the city of Pittsburgh. I am an Accounting major and just finished my freshman here at Pitt and plan on graduating in the Fall of 2028. On campus I am involved in a few clubs including Smart Women Securities and the University of Pittsburgh Accounting Association. I am also a new member of the Delta chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi. I plan to pursue my CPA following graduation and find work in the Accounting field! Apart from school, I love to spend time with my friends and family (especially my cats) and I love to try out different crafts in my free time. I most recently have been enjoying needlepoint and I also paint banners for special events such as graduation parties and birthdays.

I picked this specific Plus3 program because I was drawn to the unusual locations that really provide a once in a lifetime experience. From the first day I toured at Pitt up until now, I have heard so much positive praise of the Plus3 programs and couldn’t be more excited to have this experience ahead of me. I am hoping this program will break me out of my shell even more and allow for me to be in uncomfortable situations where I can grow both personally and academically. I an excited to be immersed in a culture different from my own and have the opportunities to try new foods, visit new places, and learn about the Ecuadorian culture straight from the natives!