Ciao! My name is Alyssa Fortes and I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Business Information Systems and Supply Chain Management with a certificate in Business Analytics. I am originally from the north hills area of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Hampton High School. I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in 2018 from Indiana University Bloomington, and I have loved every moment since! On campus, I am involved in Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Women’s Club Soccer, and as a mentor for Strong Women Strong Girls. I also work part-time as a team member at The Milk Shake Factory and as a facility manager for Total Futsal. As a student, I am very passionate about the intersection between sustainability and technology. Upon graduation, I hope that I can combine these interests along with my background to pursue a career in consulting so that I can continue to learn and develop beyond the classroom.
Outside of academics and extracurriculars, I love to try new coffee shops, go boxing, visit museums, and read. From a very young age, I have always dreamed of having the opportunity to see the world and experience unique cultures. After transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, I was amazed at the seemingly endless study abroad opportunities that were offered. In browsing the options catered specifically to business students, I knew that I wanted to study in Europe because it would give me the best chance of seeing as many countries as possible during my travels.
When it came down to making the final decision, I ended up applying for the Global Business Institute: Florence program. I was immediately attracted to Italy’s beautiful art, rich history, and unique culture, not to mention the fantastic food and coffee scene! I felt it would give me an experience entirely different to what I have known for my entire life growing up in Pittsburgh. While the language barrier is a bit daunting, I was excited by the challenge that would come with quickly learning some Italian.
For the duration of my study abroad program, I will be attending CAPA Florence and taking a beginner’s Italian language course, two business courses, and a cross-cultural psychology course. I hope that from these academic endeavors, I will be able to become a more worldly, well-rounded student. I am especially looking forward to my psychology course as it includes field work where we get to take time to observe the locals and their way of life. I think this will be a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and see the world from another’s eyes.
Professionally, I think that being in an entirely new environment will help me better understand others and their cultural differences. This will help me become more adaptable, which is a useful skill in the world of business. Additionally, in my International Marketing class, one of our assignments is a group project in which we collaborate with students from the CAPA London program. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a firsthand look at the rewards and challenges of conducting business internationally.
Perhaps the greatest growth I expect to undergo while in Florence is personal. Apart from a brief trip to Canada, this is my first time outside of the United States, and it is by far the longest I will ever have been away from home. While it will surely be taxing at times, I think that I will walk away from this experience more open-minded and independent. I am eager to take on the daily trials and tribulations, and I am confident that this will be an incredibly influential time in my life that will change me forever. This all being said, I cannot wait to continue to share my experiences over the next few months!
College of Business Administration Fall 2017 GBI Buenos Aires GBI Florence GBI London GBI London Accounting GBI Sydney GBI Sydney Sports Business Global Business Institute: London Global Honors Fellowship GSL Bolivia GSL Puerto Rico GSL Trinidad Haller Global Honors Fellowship IIP Berlin IIP Dublin IIP Madrid IIP Paris IIP Prague IIP San Francisco IIP Seoul International Internship Program International Internship Program: Dublin Leadership in the Himalayas Panther Program Pitt Business ICP Spring 2018 Spring 2019 Spring 2020 Spring 2021 Spring 2023 Spring 2024 Spring 2025 Spring 2026 Spring Break 2019 Spring Break 2020 Summer 2017 Summer 2018 Summer 2019 Summer 2021 Summer 2022 Summer 2023 Summer 2024 Summer 2025 Woodcock Global Honors Fellowship