My name is Chris Byun and I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Finance. In a few days I will be embarking in my trip to the Himalayas in India for my leadership program. This will technically be my last semester with Pitt even though I could have ended it this week, but I guess I love this school way too much that I want to prolong the inevitable. After I graduate, I will be working as an auditor at an accounting firm back in Philadelphia. I’m excited to start adulthood because I will be able to financially provide for myself (finally), and buy all kinds of food I couldn’t have done as an undergraduate since I was always on a budget here at Pitt.
Why did I choose this program?
I actually chose to do this program a few years prior, but due to COVID-19 blocking my life harder than Yao-Ming did to Shaq I thought I would never get this opportunity to explore the Himalayas. Luckily, last minute, I was able to sign up for this program once more and am more than excited to participate in this leadership program. It’s true I could have just concluded my undergraduate career here at Pitt during the Spring semester, but what fun would that be without a challenge backpacking in the mountains? Instead of a cap and gown, I’ll be utilizing backpacks and headlamps. The main reason I chose this program was to challenge myself before I enter the real world. Entering a place with less conveniences around me will help me appreciate the simpler things in life, and how often do you get to hear someone say they went to the Himalayas? I’m hoping this trip will teach me to have thicker skin so that when obstacles occur in my life I will be able to overcome it with ease. There’s a lot of fears I have in mind prior to entering this trip that I also had years back. Such as diseases/illnesses, wildlife, and bathroom situation (specifically #2).
Overall, preparing for this program has caused me to make drastic changes in my prior lazy lifestyle into something better that I hope to continue to do even after this program is over. This will be my 1st trip out of 4 that I will be participating this summer before I become a corporate mouse. Scared to see what happens during this month of May!
P.S. Ignore the lame professional freshman picture I have, but that was all I had to work with. I should probably get a new one because I look so mad.