Hey y’all! This morning, we headed to the Oil Tank Culture Park, a sustainability-focused public space that’s won numerous awards for its repurposed architectural design. Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit, which was disappointing given how highly it’s regarded. Still, the detour gave us time to explore the surrounding area before our final site…
Tag: Hayah Kazi
DMZ, Dancing, and Dugouts: Day 10
Hey y’all! Today was packed with contrast – history and sport, tension and celebration. We started with a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a deeply significant place in Korean history and global politics. The bus ride was about an hour long, which gave me a much-needed nap before what turned into a surprisingly uphill…
Strykers, Stairs, and Serenity: Day 9
Hey y’all! Today, we traveled to Camp Casey, a U.S. military base located near the DMZ, where we had the opportunity to tour around with two Pitt alumni currently working in ROTC, Grace and Will. It was fascinating to see how they’ve carried their experiences abroad into such a high-stakes professional setting. One of the…
Heights, High Notes, and Homemade Bibimbap: Day 8
Hey y’all! Today we made our way to Seoul Tower, and the weather couldn’t have been better! It was sunny with a perfect breeze. The panoramic views from the top were stunning and we could even spot the Blue House in the distance, which brought back memories from day one. It was a full circle…
Heritage, Hand-cut Noodles, and Hanoks: Day 7
Hey y’all! Today was one of the most culturally rich days of our trip so far. We visited Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood where traditional Korean homes, called hanoks, are still preserved and lived in. Historically, this area was home to aristocrats and even royal heirs after marriage. Walking through the narrow alleyways felt…
Cafeterias, Campus, and Cognitive Science: Day 6
Hey y’all! Today was definitely one of the more hectic days of the trip. We were scheduled to visit Yonsei University, one of Korea’s most prestigious institutions, but got off to a delayed start. Despite the rough beginning, the visit offered an insightful look into both Korean university life and advanced research. We had lunch…
City Hall, Connection, and Combat: Day 5
Hey y’all! Today was a much needed slower start. Our first activity of the day was a taekwondo class, which was a super fun way to experience Korean culture through movement. Breaking a board felt unreal. It felt like something straight out of a movie! It was also cool learning how discipline and respect are…
Smart Cars, Seagulls, and Sunshine: Day 4
Hey y’all! Today started way earlier than I would’ve liked, but it was totally worth it for our site visit to Hyundai – South Korea’s largest car manufacturing facility. The scale of the operation was insane. The plant is 90% operated by machinery, with robots navigating autonomously using either laser tech or magnetic rails beneath…
Fredit, Free Falls, and Fortnite: Day 3
Hey y’all! Today was packed with company visits, adrenaline rushes, and some of the best food (and dessert) I’ve had so far in Korea. We started with a site visit to Fredit, the company behind the famous Yakult probiotic drinks. I always saw Yakult as just a grocery store item, but learning that there are…
Fortresses, Firearms, and Fresh Strawberries: Day 2
Hey y’all! Today was nonstop in the best way. We kicked things off with a visit to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site just outside of Seoul. The scale of the fortress was incredible, and walking the ancient walls gave me a deep appreciation for Korea’s architectural legacy and military history. We were…
Tradition, Transit, and Tteokbokki: Day 1
Hey y’all! We arrived at Incheon International Airport around 4 a.m. after nearly 20 hours of travel from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, then across the world to Seoul. Despite the exhaustion, I was immediately struck by how organized and efficient everything felt. Incheon Airport was quiet but fully functional, with clear signage, polite staff, and a…
About Me: Hayah Kazi!
Hey y’all! My name is Hayah Kazi, and I am from Austin, TX. I am currently pursuing a double degree in Business Analytics and Media & Professional Communications, with minors in Arabic and Applied Statistics. I’ve always loved combining creativity with data, whether it’s through photography, writing, or analyzing trends to tell a story. I…