Hello World! My name is Malik Diakite. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am Guinean, Malian and Burkinabe. In my free time I like to play FIFA, go to the gym, discover new music, play basketball and read manga. I study Business Information Systems in the School of Business and plan to graduate in December 2026. I am actually a transfer; I arrived at Pitt in Fall 2024 after spending 2 years at a community college in Ann Arbor. Many ask me why I didn’t stay in Michigan, and the answer to that is I wanted to get out my bubble and put myself in a place to live and learn. As of now I don’t regret my decision! I have developed so much as a person, made close friendships, and have enjoyed the curriculum Pitt has taught me.
Studying abroad was an academic goal that I had at the top of my list. It’s an experience I believe that every student should take part in. Why I decided to enroll in Global Service Learning is because of its different structure compared to other study abroad programs. A semester abroad is honestly too expensive. A summer program is not ideal for me as I’d prefer internship experience for my professional experience. GSL being during spring break is honestly something I’ve never seen before and sounded interesting to be a part of. The reason why I decided to pick Trinidad specifically is when Dr. Phil came to my BUS 0020 class and pitched the GSL program. He mentioned specific details about the skills that you’d be working on in Trinidad and a little scope of work. Developing consulting skills, getting project management experience and helping develop local businesses in Matura.
The program aligns with my career goals as well; I want to work in Consulting after school and GSL has offered that right from the very start of the program. Getting the opportunity to develop consulting skills internationally, where you have to ground yourself in a new environment, understand different perspectives, and reflect on your surroundings in your work is a huge opportunity to challenge yourself for the better. It’s truly a golden opportunity.
Beyond the professional aspect, I’m most excited about the personal growth that comes with this experience. Being immersed in a new culture, working closely with a team, and contributing to a community outside of the U.S. is something I don’t take lightly. I’m especially looking forward to learning from the people of Matura, understanding their needs, and applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations that have real impact.
Global Service Learning represents everything I hoped my college experience would include: growth, challenge, service, and a real purpose. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program and excited to see how it shapes both my academic journey, my personality and my future career. I’m looking forward to documenting this experience and sharing what I learn along the way.
