Hi everyone! My name is Anna Caputo and I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh. I am an accounting major and a member of Beta Alpha Psi. I have plans to intern in audit with KPMG in the Pittsburgh office for the summer of 2024. In my free time I enjoy reading, shopping, exploring new places, and antiquing.

I am participating in the Global Business Institute (GBI) Program in Florence for the summer of 2023. The 6 week program began in mid May and goes until the end of June. I chose the Global Business Institute Florence summer program for a multitude of reasons.  As an accounting major, it is important to have knowledge and appreciation for different cultures in the professional business world. This experience is teaching me how to operate at a new level of independence all while submerging into a new culture, meeting new people, and understanding the business perspective of a new city and country. I selected the Florence program more specifically because I am most interested in Italian culture and studying in Florence is the best opportunity to provide this to me. The GBI Florence Program at Pitt is allowing me to explore a place that I have never been to all while furthering my degree while adapting to a new lifestyle and culture. I am enrolled in two classes here: Italian Language and Culture 1 and Renaissance Art History. It has been exciting and rewarding to learn the Italian language and art history that has emerged from Florence.

My first two weeks here have been something I never could have dreamed of. It has been an exhilarating experience immersing myself into the Florentine culture so far. In Florence, I have gone to Boboli Gardens, The Rose Garden, Accademia Gallery, and made my own perfume scent! One of my favorite restaurants is Trattoria ZàZà and my favorite spot for gelato is Edoardo. Over the weekends I have been able to travel to a few places. In Venice, The Floating City, I adventured through the beautiful streets, and of course rode on the popular gondola ride. In Lucca, I appreciated the calm lifestyle and quiet town. Most recently I went to Cinque Terre, and saw the vibrant and charming villages. I am so grateful for this experience that the Global Business Institute in Florence has created for me and I can’t wait to see what else is to come!