Hello! I am Gary Farrell, and I just completed my first year at the University of Pittsburgh. I am from Allison Park, PA and I am pursuing a double major in Computer and Data Science from the School of Computing and Information. I am also in the Frederick Honors College, and I am working towards my Honors Degree. When I am not in class, I stay busy with clubs and my job in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at Pitt IT.

I know a lot of Data Science goes into researching sustainability trends and monitoring progress. Therefore, when I heard about Plus3 Netherlands and its focus on sustainability, I was interested. Between my passion for data and my appreciation of the environment, a Plus3 program focusing on sustainability sounded perfect.

As with any international travel, I’m sure I will grow a lot on Plus3 Netherlands. While I have traveled before with my family, I look forward to developing more independence on this program. It will now be my responsibility to find meals and plan experiences during my free time. Furthermore, when things don’t go to plan, I will need to utilize problem solving skills to work through the unexpected.

Alongside growing personally, I also plan to develop professionally on Plus3. Throughout the trip we will be visiting with executives and Pitt alumni throughout both Amsterdam and Rotterdam. I believe this will be an excellent opportunity to build my network of connections, and while I am doing so, I can strengthen my networking skills for the future. Furthermore, while I have had a couple of job shadowing experiences before, I look forward to touring various companies in a variety of industries while in the Netherlands. In doing so, I believe I will learn valuable information on how international businesses operate, which I will then be able to bring back to the United States.