Hello there, world! My name is Kelci Allmann, I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh double majoring in Accounting and Supply Chain Management in the College of Business Administration, and minoring in Sociology. I am originally from the suburbs just north of Philadelphia, where I grew up in the town of Yardley. I have always been a Pennsylvania girl at heart and am so proud to be a Pitt panther. On campus, I am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority, and the campus club field hockey team. One of my favorite things to do during my free time is to volunteer my service organization. I am so fortunate to be able to work with fantastic organizations throughout the city, such as the Boys and Girls club. As a representative of the Pitt community, I feel it’s incredibly important in giving back to the citizens of the city that have welcomed me with open arms and have given me some of the best years of my life. After graduating next fall, I hope to enter the world of corporate retail, and am getting a head start this summer as a Planning and Allocations Intern for American Eagle Outfitters in their corporate Pittsburgh location. I avidly enjoy the managerial side of accounting, and aspire to incorporate my strong interest in strategic business with my affinity for the world of fashion.

I am beyond excited to embark on this journey of studying abroad in London. This city is one I have admired since first visiting at the age of five years old, and I can’t believe I have the opportunity to live and study here as much more than a fleeting tourist. For many, studying abroad means leaving family and going into this experience, for the the most part, alone. I am a special case in this respect. I am the first American citizen in my family, with my mom and sister gaining citizenship in 2001. All of my family is originally from South Africa, but the majority have relocated to England over the past few decades. Because my immediate family and I were the only ones to extend as far as the United States, studying abroad is more of a home coming than a separation. Choosing to study at the Global Business Institute has allowed me to study and stay close to family while also giving me the option to also complete an internship in my prospective future job field. I was placed and interviewed with a high end resort wear company called Salt, located just behind London’s infamous Harrod’s department store. I will be assisting in buying and merchandizing for the store’s fall collection, and am given a chance to work directly with distinguished designers.

I couldn’t have more to look forward to over these next four months, and hope to explore every inch of this city in the time I am given. With extraordinary museums that are free to the public, a population full of a diverse blend of cultures from around the world, amazing markets and food to sample, and so much more, I can almost guarantee there will never be a dull moment – and I can’t wait to share it all with you through this blog!