Hello! My name is Breanna King, and I am a Junior studying Marketing with a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. During my freshman year, I started my own photography business! I work as Content Manager of 1486 Labs, a startup in the data analytics space. I also was the photographer for the Pitt Eats campus signage and marketing promotions around campus. Aside from that, in my free time I enjoy painting, reading, watching TV, going to coffee shops around Pittsburgh, and adding to my extensive mug collection. This semester, I am doing the Global Business Institute in Florence, Italy. I chose this program because I want to expand my cultural understanding and live in another country while I am young. Also, I have family that is from Southern Italy, so learning more about where my great grandparents grew up was important to me.  My goals during my time abroad are to grow as a person and develop a global perspective that will give me an edge against others in the competitive job landscape. Not only that, but given my love of fashion, photography, and art, I hope that the Italian influence permeates into my personal style, photos, and outlook on culture. In Florence, the main thing that is different from Pitt is that everything here is very walkable. Also, the food and espresso doesn’t compare to what you can find in American grocery stores. Every week, I pick up freshly squeezed orange juice for only $3. Also, the campus is embedded into the heart of Florence, and I talk with locals while on my travels. I live with 4 other flat mates in a traditional Tuscan style apartment, with artwork (frescos) on the ceilings and a bidet in the bathroom. Learning how to turn on the power when it goes out and cook things in the oven in Celsius are two challenges we’ve navigated as a household. At first, adapting to the time change, new city, and culture was difficult, but taking the time I needed to rest, recoup on my own and not feel obligated to go exploring 24/7 made the transition easier for me. I have come to value the moments when I am alone, able to reconnect with those at home and even go on walks by myself to appreciate things at my own pace.  So far, I have found a newfound sense of independence and appreciation of the city. I hope that in the upcoming weeks, I can truly understand Florence on a deeper level, and travel to other places across Europe.