Hi, I’m Jordan Brothers, a third year student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Marketing and Data Analytics. I have passions for art, photography, live music and travel, and Florence is the best place to explore those interests!

I chose the Global Business Institute in Florence because I have always wanted to travel to Italy, and also wanted to grow on a personal and professional level in a new environment. A well-rounded, global perspective is essential in the evolving world of business, and I believe I have made the best decision to gain that! On a personal level, my goals in this program are to try new things, gain a new sense of independence, and learn valuable life lessons that I can take home with me. I’m passionate about learning new things and growing as a person, and getting out of my comfort zone in a new country felt like something I needed to do.  From a professional standpoint, my goals are to gain volunteer experiences, learn international marketing in an immersive environment, and to make connections with peers and professors.  

Upon my arrival to the CAPA school in the center of Florence, I was a mixture of grateful, excited, and shocked by the change in culture. Within 48 hours I was well adjusted to the school and city environment. If I had to compare the CAPA school to the University of Pittsburgh, I would say the main differences are the culture and course structure. While we work hard at CAPA, the faculty at our University stress the importance of experiential learning. In other words they encourage us to “get out of the classroom and into the city.” Many of my classes involve walking tours and deliverables that surround experience-based activities. I have found that I learn best through the hands-on approach at CAPA. CAPA has allowed me to see and learn more about the world than would ever be possible in a typical visit to Europe. While there are differences, a nice similarity that is exclusive to Pitt is that our Italian course is taught by Pitt faculty. It makes it very nice to have a sense of familiarity while abroad for the spring semester. 

As for my living situation, I live in a homestay in a very residential area of town, close to the Arno River. Choosing to live in a homestay was the absolute best decision I have made coming to Florence! Everyday I am immersed in Italian culture, and can live like a local while forming connections with my host family. My friends also live in homestays, and we enjoy comparing our living situations and hanging out on similar schedules. While I live in a homestay which is different from the typical student arrangement, I still get to enjoy frequent travel, local events, and all the opportunities Florence has to offer. I love my homestay as well as my experience so far in Florence, and can’t wait to see what is to come on this (academic) adventure! Ciao bella!