Preparing For My Adventure in London

Hi there, I am Kimberly Chen and I am a junior at the business school at the University of Pittsburgh. I am double majoring in finance and business information systems with a certificate in business analytics. I chose this combination because I like working with numbers and solving problems. Also I would like to work…

Reflecting on my Expectations

I think studying abroad is the perfect example of “you can never predict the future.” I say this not in a discouraging or negative way, but in a way that emphasizes how much my expectations have changed from before I got here to now. As I’m in week 6 of being in Melbourne, I reflect…

Built-in Friends: Navigating University Accommodation

When the University of Melbourne first gave me options for on-campus housing three months ago, I closed my eyes, pressed random buttons, and hoped for the best. Overwhelmed with decisions, I decided that no matter where I ended up getting placed, I’d be able to figure it out. Fortunately, I was right, and I would…

Mapping Out my Goals

I’ve lived in Pennsylvania my entire life. From Philly suburbs growing up to Pittsburgh for college, I have route I-76 memorized like the palm of my hand. Though it has been convenient to always be 5 hours from home, having that privilege has sheltered me. Several people I went to middle and high school with…

No, I Will Not Box a Kangaroo

Upon hearing that my semester long study abroad is taking place in Melbourne, Australia, around 98% of people asked if I could box a kangaroo and send video footage (the other 2% asked for a selfie with a koala). Honestly, I don’t blame them. When I first applied in October, I didn’t really know what…

College Xoice Wrap-Up

I learned and grew my skills exponentially through this internship. I’m extremely glad that I was chosen for this role and for this company! Working at a small tech startup, specifically with a smaller team, has made me realize how important communication is. In the beginning of the semester, my fellow intern and I spent…

My Internship Experience so far…

The College Xoice application is intended to aid high school students in deciding what college to attend. It is specifically geared towards first-generation college students and school districts in need of assistance. Currently, the main goal of the team this semester is to drive up traction on social media and continue to improve upon the…

Reflecting On My Internship at Massachusetts Advocates For Children

Since my internship has officially ended, I will use this last blog post to reflect on my experience at the Massachusetts Advocates For Children in Boston. Through the privilege of serving at the organization this summer, I have gained new skills that will be invaluable to me moving forward. I am excited to share my…

The Start of My College Xoice Journey

Hello world! My name is Kimberly Chen, but you can call me Kim. Some fun facts about me are that I have been on a swim team for over 8 years and my favorite stroke is freestyle! I also enjoy painting with acrylics in my free time because I find it super relaxing. However, I…

Cleveland Closure: Final Takeaways from My Frederick Internship

At the end of July, my internship with the North Shore AFL-CIO in Cleveland officially came to a close. On one hand, I left more confident than ever about my next steps and determined to have a successful senior year at Pitt. On the other hand, I had become so comfortable in Cleveland and at…