Hello everyone! My name is Martha Stock, and I am a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh.  My majors are finance and marketing, and I am also minoring in economics.  I have always enjoyed math and working with others, so I felt the combination of finance and marketing would allow me to combine those two passions.  On campus I am a member of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, and I am also a member of the social sorority Alpha Delta Pi.  Through these organizations, I have been able to gain professional and leadership skills, while making amazing friends.

I am originally from a small suburb outside of Pittsburgh called Oakmont.  It is really only known for its bakery and the golf course, so if you watch the U.S. Open the name would sound familiar.  Oakland is only about 20 minutes from my home, and it has been nice being so close to my family.  Since the University of Pittsburgh has always been in such close proximity, I have grown up rooting for the Panthers.  I am also a third generation Pitt student, so the University has always had a special place in my heart.

That being said, I always felt the need to study abroad and get away from Pittsburgh for a little.  I love the University of Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh, but I am excited to spread my wings and get out of what is familiar.  London is an extremely large city, so I felt it would be a great place to somewhat challenge myself to become more independent.  I also chose to study abroad because I love traveling.  Growing up, my parents always took me and my brother on trips around the United States, and then later a few trips to Europe.  These trips sparked a new passion, and now I am extremely interested in learning about different cultures and histories.  I am very excited to explore the city of London and learn about the city and the United Kingdom as a whole.

I chose the Global Business Institute: London (England) Semester program because I wanted to take classes and take part in an internship while abroad.  I have never had an internship, and I am extremely excited to gain more professionalism and learn what it is like to work in the real business world.  I hope to gain skills that could not be taught in a classroom, and get a feel for what it is like to actually hold a job in business.  I also am thinking about working in international business after graduation, so it will be interesting to learn about the international business world and how it differs from just working in the United States.  I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.  Now I need to go figure out how I am going to fit all of the clothes I need for four months into one bag! Thanks for reading, and I am so sorry this is so late!!