Hello! My name is Jimmy Chen, and I’m a from Oley Valley, an extremely rural farming town four hours east of Pittsburgh. My main hobbies include cooking dishes from various cultures and sharing them, problem-solving whether it be through math or financial, and thoroughly enjoy singing higher-pitched songs such as “What Do You Mean,” by Justin Bieber. I thoroughly enjoy exploring new countries, whether it be on traditions, food, and styles of living too.
Back at Oley Valley High School, I focused heavily on service and volunteering within our community. As part a board member of the Youth Advisory Board of Reading, a local governing board that puts student perspectives and voices on speakerphone. In this, I was able to influence regional non-profits and policies regarding human trafficking and food insecurity. As the President and Founding Member of the Youth Volunteer Club at our school, I designed educational initiatives to teach members about effective advocacy and the specific needs of Berks County. This role ultimately resulted in 400 combined volunteer hours and 250 lbs. of food donated, with more to come in the future as the club continues to thrive.
Now at the University of Pittsburgh, I plan to pursue a double major in Finance and Supply Chain Management, a minor in Economics, and a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I still maintain an open mind, though, and am extremely open to the other majors offered at the school. I do not know everything right now, but with more introductory courses to different majors I will find one that strikes me as both socially fulfilling and rewarding.
As a multiculturalist at heart, I’ve always longed to venture beyond the countryside and utilize my efforts towards even broader communities beyond my own. That’s why when I was introduced to the Haller Global Fellowship in Ireland during orientation, I made it a priority to apply. Ireland is designated as a hub of global commerce, and it functions as a bridge between European and American markets. As I’m not much of a farmer myself (no offense, I loved my community back home), I’m eager to look beyond the countryside, and the Haller program offers an immersive environment to see how companies and local businesses operate within an economy such as Irelands.
On a personal level, I will learn about Ireland’s rich traditions and indulge in its food scene. I’m eager to engage in its culture, experiencing firsthand how a different society approaches their sense of community.
Academically, I will bring the concepts and lessons acquired from the Haller Program to my introductory courses, providing me with a head start and knowledge that will help me exceed.
Professionally, I hope to create a network of service-minded, international network of peers. Interacting with Irish business leaders, identifying and creating solutions for financial issues that occur in regions of Ireland, and navigating such a foreign landscape in general will, without a doubt, sharpen my problem-solving skills and teach me how to bridge cultural and professional perspectives in an ethical, service-oriented way.
