Hi! My name is Alyssa Kocon, and I am currently a senior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in communication as well as a certificate in human rights and social justice. This is my fourth semester at Pitt, spending two of those semesters at Pitt Greensburg, and I previously transferred from the Community College of Allegheny County. 

During my time at Pitt, I have been involved in Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society, and have had the opportunity to attend the Eastern Communication Association conference. Being part of that experience gave me the chance to connect more deeply with the field and get out of my comfort zone by presenting on a panel. I have participated in two Pitt Global experiences, which will make this my third! The first being Identity, Religion, and Empire in Spain, and the second being Himalayan Health in Mussoorie, India. The Himalayan Health program was especially transformative for me, as I spent six weeks in the Himalaya with peers I did not previously know, studying wilderness first responding.

Outside of academics, some of my hobbies include yoga, hiking, sewing, and tending to my many house plants. With my love for the outdoors, I volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh, and I participate in trash cleanups around the community. Both of these are very important to me, as the environment, sustainability, and community are a big part of who I am. When I am not in the classroom or working on hobbies, you will oftentimes find me with my friends. I have a very close inner circle of friends who support me greatly and are a very important part of my life. 

I chose to participate in this program mainly because of the in-country travel aspect. I found my love for traveling in 2023, while taking my first solo trip abroad to Rome to visit a close friend. Since then, I have traveled to five countries and eleven U.S. states, and I plan to keep growing that number. Traveling has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in many ways and has helped me become a more adaptable, independent, and open-minded individual. 

Additionally, the service-learning aspect of this program was a big deciding factor. I have not previously participated in a service-learning project before, so I am very excited about it. I also love collaborative group work and believe it is a great opportunity to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses and overcome challenges together. Service-learning plays a huge part in developing critical thinking, empathy, and many more essential skills. This program will surely set me up for success wherever my future takes me. 

Overall, I am looking forward to working on a semester-long group project that will make a real impact. I am excited to travel to a new country and experience a different culture. Even though I am unfamiliar with the work I will be doing, I have already learned so much in only four weeks, and I’m excited to see how I continue to grow throughout the semester.