Hello! My name is Angel Chen and I am a junior, double majoring in Finance and Business Information Systems. This semester I will be spending my spring break in Cochabamba, Bolivia under the Global Service Learning Bolivia Program while participating in a semester long classroom project. On campus, I am an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, Phi Delta Epsilon, and Make New Fellowship.
I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and wanted to get as far away from the small hometown as much as I could. I always had a strong passion for traveling and learning about different business cultures. Originally, I intended to major in Chemistry; however, after a trip to Shanghai where I was exposed to the business world there, I immediately decided to switch into Finance. This inspired me to pursue an internship this past summer in Hong Kong for a securities firm performing financial research. From this, I know I want to take my career internationally one day and am keen on exploring other countries and career paths.
I learned about GSL Bolivia through Delta Sigma Pi, when a couple alumni from the program presented their personal experiences on the trip. I chose Global Service Learning for several reasons. First, the length of the program was perfect since, being a late transfer student, I couldn’t afford a full semester abroad. Second, I get to learn more about Bolivia and its rich local culture. Lastly, this program provides first-hand experience on consulting through a semester-long projects and get to meet other teammates with the same value. What better way is there to spend Spring Break than making a difference in Bolivia with fellow Pitt Panthers?
Through this experience, I hope to achieve several personal, academic, and professional growth. I would like to develop a sense of cultural awareness and competency in navigating how to understand the people and the business culture of a new country. By working with my peers on project teams and coordinating with people in Bolivia, I hope to improve my abilities as a team player and learn to communicate more clearly. Academically, I hope to learn more about international business as a whole. In addition, I hope to gain more insight on the field of consulting through this first-hand experience with the Global Service Learning class. Lastly, I also hope to gain transferrable workplace skills such as being more proactive, knowing how to navigate communication mediums, and how to be a better contributor on a team. I am very excite to see what this semester will bring and look forward to sharing my experience with everyone else!