Ciao! I’m Nicole Marchese, and I am a junior Marketing major with Pitt Business pursuing a certificate and distinction in Sustainability. Back in Pittsburgh I enjoy my time working with Thriftsburgh and the Student Office of Sustainability. Studying abroad has been on my radar since high school and was a huge consideration when I was applying to different schools. I am so glad to be apart of the Global Business Institute: Florence program, as the courses fit right into my major and interests, and I get to fall back into my Italian roots in the birthplace of the Renaissance!
Eager to travel to Europe for years now, it is so surreal that I am finally here, taking classes, immersing into authentic Italian culture. Although I knew it would be difficult living and studying in a country with a foreign language, I wanted a challenge to ensure I was taking full advantage and soaking in as much culture as I can during my time abroad. So far, the language barrier has been the most difficult part, but at the same time, learning Italian and making light conversation with locals has also been the most fun, worthwhile part. My goal by the end of the program is to be able to know enough of the language to not have to say “come si dice?” more than 3 times in conversation, but outside of the program, I am committed to learning fluent Italian for when I return again.
Through GBI: Florence I am a student at CAPA, a school for American international students. All of my classes are taught by Italian professors and my peers are from various schools around the US. I was very lucky with my schedule and only have classes Monday through Wednesday; however, instead of traditional Pitt class times, all of my classes are over two hours long. Although a major adjustment, I have enjoyed learning in a different setting with different norms (the coffee helps). I particularly enjoy the smaller class sizes which allow my classes to be more interactive and discussion based. My favorite class is Italian: Here and Now, which taught by a wonderful Pitt professor and only includes Pitt students, a slice of home while here in Italy.
I am situated in a beautiful apartment with 11 other girls (the apartment is large, don’t worry). Coming to Florence, I was very focused on having a brand new experience, apart from Oakland. Although I didn’t have many friends in the program, I was excited for the opportunity to form new connections and meet different people. Although moving to Florence was a huge adjustment at first, living with 11 other people made the transition a bit easier for me. A unique fact about Florence is that almost everything is a walking distance. This is one of my favorite parts, as theres always something to look up at or a new caffè to run into on my walks around the city.
