About Me

Hello! I am Nicolas Bove. I am from South Park Pennsylvania, just half an hour south of Pittsburgh. I am a rising sophomore mechanical engineering student and am pursuing a certificate in sustainability. At Pitt, I am involved in several student organizations. I participate in food recoveries with Food Recovery Heroes, play for Pitt’s club ultimate frisbee team, and am a leader at Cornerstone, Pitt’s Christian Coalition for Outreach organization. I am also a very passionate hiker, enjoy playing the guitar/bass, and love going to concerts. Professionally, I want to use my mechanical engineering degree and focus in sustainability to improve the way we handle energy, water, and other essential resources.

I love travelling and have been blessed to explore many states here in the United States and even several countries abroad, but I have never had the opportunity to travel to Asia. I am so eager to experience a starkly different culture in South Korea and to soak in all that it has to offer. It will be incredibly exciting to go on company tours, visit different cultural sites, try new foods, and dive into the bustling streets of Seoul. Most importantly, this will be an opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally, as I develop new perspectives while in a new enviorment.

Expectations for Growth

I expect to grow in multiple ways throughout my two weeks abroad. Primarily, I will learn about engineering practices on a global level. Through company visits, such as the Hyundai factory, and visiting Yonsei University’s engineering department, I will get to see how engineering takes place in a completely different part of the world. Even before landing in Korea, I’ve already learned about how Seoul has implemented smart systems into their city through our predeparture meetings. On a personal level, I will grow as a global traveler. I truly love seeing new parts of the world and this experience will further equip me to continue exploring. Especially because Korea will be drastically different from any place I’ve been previously, I will become more prepared for culture shock in the future. This opportunity is opening the door for even more traveling, and it will give me the confidence to study abroad for an entire semester later in my Pitt career.

I also expect some challenges that are intrinsic to traveling abroad. I am anticipating immense culture shock with new foods, a different language being spoken, different customs and societal norms, and the vibrant energy of Seoul. Naturally, being away for two weeks will also induce some mild homesickness. While these are all challenging at first, they will only enhance the experience. Culture shock can be overwhelming, but it creates the opportunity to try new things, take in new perspectives, and get out of my comfort zone. And for the homesickness, I will grow an appreciation for my hometown, my family and friends, and all that I typically take for granted. I cannot wait to land in Seoul, and I am eager to continue writing as my journey continues.