A month in Florence has officially passed, and although bittersweet, it feels comforting to feel adjusted to the city, cultural norms, and most importantly my new learning environment. In Florence, I am taking four classes for a total of 13 credits. Thankfully all of my classes count towards my major or a general education requirement, so I am really able to make the most of my time abroad in all aspects. I find myself learning outside of my classes everyday, as well, for Florence is rich with history and culture.

Although I am not interning abroad, I am taking two business courses, Managing Global Supply Chains and International Marketing, as electives towards my Marketing major. Both taught by Italian professors, it has been extremely valuable to learn from professionals that have a unique global perspective having worked in international business settings throughout their careers. It has also been extremely beneficial to take classes in a different culture where academic norms and teaching styles differ from those in the US. My Global Supply Chains professor teaches passionately based off of his personal values and experience running a successful logistical company, a unique but arguably more worthwhile teaching perspective. Over the weekend, he invited us to his company where we received relevant insight and a tour of his warehouses. It was clear he practices what he preaches after seeing him in interact with his employees and the culture he instills in his workplace. My curriculum and the insight into a real Italian company confirmed the apparent differences in work culture and values often ignored in the states.

Two strengths of mine that have come in handy while in Florence are connectedness and maximizer. These have both been particularly helpful in making the most of my education abroad so far. I am the type of person that can adjust to new situations with little difficulty. I try each class to channel my inner maximizer and soak in each lesson, as I recognize the valuable perspectives available to me. Additionally, because of the lengthier class times professors can integrate more than just lecture into the class times. This way we have more opportunity for field trips and class activities that allow for further connection with my classmates and professors. It is clear Italians value strong relationships with each other, even in the workplace. I plan to carry this value with me into my career as I continue to exercise and grow with my strengths.