Swanson School of Engineering

My name is Kaitlyn and I completed my third year at Pitt studying statistics and actuarial math. Before departing for Brazil, I did not know much about the country or what I would be learning. I am a statistics major so an engineering study abroad is very different for me. I did not have any prior knowledge of any kind of engineering but I am excited to learn. During the pre departure meetings I learned interesting facts about Brazil and what I should do to prepare. Something that I did not realize is how big the country is. In class when we put the Brazil map over the US map I was surprised that they were roughly the same size. I also did not realize how far south we were going and that even though the US is going into summer, Brazil is going into winter. The pre departure meetings were a good way to introduce the course and make sure students understood things about the country and what they would be learning. Since I have never taken an engineering course before, I am excited to learn from our company visits, from the professors, and from my peers. I am most interested in seeing the Itaipu Dam and the Iguazu Falls. I am excited to travel to Brazil and start learning!