Author: Yehyun Lee, Email: leey93@unlv.nevada.edu
Date Last Modified: 03/09/2025

I finally went to Red Rock Canyon! When I saw the tall and flashy buildings in the U.S., they felt a bit different from Korea, but not completely new. However, seeing the vast and open nature here really made me feel that I was on the other side of the world. In Korea, mountains are usually covered with tall trees, so there’s shade everywhere, and unless you reach the top, all you can see are trees. But here, there are only short grasses and cacti, so the view is completely open. Even without climbing much, I could see the wide and endless landscape, which was really amazing.

The most memorable person I met this week was Gabe, who joined me on a hike at Red Rock. He always had a smile on his face, which was truly impressive. As we hiked, he greeted almost everyone we passed and even took a moment to ask how they were doing. I really liked how people exchanged kind words and wished each other a great day. His positive energy had a way of lifting the mood of those around him, and it made me realize how much I could learn from that attitude.

I realized that for people here, mountains are not just for hiking but a space for many different activities. Since the area is so vast with various trails, people can choose what best suits their purpose. In areas with tall, densely packed rocks, I saw people enjoying rock climbing, while in more open and gentle trails, many were walking their dogs. It was interesting to see how differently people engage with nature compared to how people usually enjoy it in Korea.

I’ve noticed that my personality is changing. People here often greet strangers warmly, and small talk makes casual conversations more natural. Because of this, I find myself approaching others more easily than I did in Korea. Back home, I was more reserved and enjoyed spending time alone, but here, I’ve become more comfortable starting conversations and engaging with people. This has helped me meet many new people, which I appreciate, though sometimes I feel a bit sad knowing some connections last only a day. Still, the experiences and lessons from these interactions stay with me, so I hope to keep this openness even after I return home.

I’ve been continuing my work on validating the reliability of the Mambo Drone simulation by comparing its simulated flight with actual flight tests. Previously, I tested at a very low altitude, which caused instability due to ground effects. However, when I tried making the drone climb too much at once, it required a large thrust increase, making it difficult to maintain stability. Following Dr. Oh’s advice, I adjusted the control input so that instead of hovering at a single altitude, the drone first hovers at a set height and then gradually ascends in stages. This adjustment allowed me to achieve more stable results at higher altitudes.